Impacts Of Beach Seines And Castnets On The Environment At Kigungu Fishing Ground On Lake Victoria In Wakiso Distrct, Uganda

ABSTRACT

A study to investigate the impacts of Beach Seine and Cast net gears was carried out at

Kigungu Fish Landing Site on Lake Victoria in Wakiso District Uganda. The major

valuables considered included the design, construction, operation, catchability, efficiency

and impacts of Beach Seines and Cast Nets. In order to investigate the above, a research

was designed and it was used. Method for data collection includes; Visits to programmed

places (Libraries, Research and Training institutions, Government offices, Kigungu Fish

Landing Site), Questionnaires , Physical Observations and Experimental Fishing.

Results indicate that Beach Seines and Cast Nets are Active Fishing gears and these

can either be single or multipannel by design. Results also indicate that these gears

(Beach Seines and Cast Nets) have a high Catchability rate. It was also revealed that

these gears are highly efficient in this Fishery. It was also discovered that these gears

have some advance impacts on the fish stocks exploited.

In view of the above, it was concluded that beach seines and cast nets have a negative

impact on Lake Victoria Fisheries, (Kigungu Fishing ground). It is therefore

recommended that the following be done: A temporary ban on the use of these gears

should be imposed, alternative fishing gears that promote conservation and sustainability

of the fishery resources should be used, elaborate research based on this topic should

be under taken in all fishery waters for Uganda and the region and also environmental

studies of this nature should be initiated and promoted in various institutions of

learning for thorough assessment of the changes in the Aquatic eco system and

effective control and management of the aquatic resources by respective governments or states.