Lake Victoria Report Survey of Feb 2007

Implementation of a fisheries management plan
(IFMP) project for Lake Victoria. EDF PROJECT

NO. 8 ACP ROR 029. Report of the lake-wide
acoustic survey 17th February - 17th March 2007.
Item Type monograph
Publisher Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO)
Download date 19/01/2024 09:22:40
Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/32825

LAKE VICTORIA FISHERIES ORGANIZATION
OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY
IMPLEMENTATION OF A FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN (IFMP) PROJECT

FOR LAKE VICTORIA
EDF PROJECT NO. 8 ACP ROR 029
REPORT OF THE LAKE-WIDE ACOUSTIC SURVEY

17TH FEBRUARY - 17TH MARCH 2007
LVFO Secretariat
P. O. Box 1625
Jinja, Uganda
Tel: 043 120205/6
Fax: 043 123123
Email:lvfo-sec@lvfo.org July 2007
ABSTRACT
A lake wide acoustic survey with the objectives of obtaining estimates the
biomass and spatial and temporal distribution patterns of the major
commercial fish species was conducted in Lake Victoria from 17th February –
17th March 2007 using a Simrad EY 500 scientific echo-sounder connected to
a 9° beam width split beam transducer operating at 120kHz. In addition
environmental assessment was concurrently conducted with the survey using
a Sea Bird CTD and a Secchi Disk to help explaining observed fish biomass
levels and the spatial and temporal distribution patterns.
Six acoustic surveys funded by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Project
(LVFRP II) were conducted on the lake between 1999 and 2002 using the same
vessel and equipment but different sampling design and analysis procedures.
The current survey followed three other acoustic surveys funded by IFMP
conducted on the lake at six moths’ intervals from August 2005 to August 2006
using the same vessel, equipment, and sampling and analysis protocols. During
the surveys under IFMP, Nile perch biomass is estimated using single target
analysis while Dagaa and haplochromines biomass are determined through echo
integration in Echoview software supplied by Sonar Data Company.
During the analysis of the February – March 2007 acoustic data, it was realized
that the Echoview software used for analysis was not exporting cells where no
single targets are detected. Therefore if any EDSU where no single targets are
detected is not taken into account when estimating the stratum density, the result
is overestimated. Consultations were made with the acoustic ISTTA and
Sonardata. The option that could output empty cells was provided (Ev File
Properties – Export – Output empty cells). Consequently data from the previous
three surveys under the IFMP were re-exported including empty cells and re-
analyzed. This re-analysis affected mainly Nile perch biomass that is estimated
using single target detections. The estimate of Nile perch biomass from the four
i
surveys reduced from an average of 820,000 t to 650,000 t with evidence of
seasonal fluctuations.
The estimated stock of Nile perch from this survey at 721,763 ± 39,361t is a
slight increase compared to the August 2006 survey (599,930 ± 62,995 t) but
comparable to the survey conducted in the similar period of the previous year
(February 2006 - 751,523 ± 66,850 t). This time round most of this biomass was
encountered in the northern portion of the lake. The two northern quadrants NE
and NW registered the highest mean densities (> 12 t/km2) in the coastal and
deep strata compared to SE and SW (<9.5 t/km2). The highest Nile perch density
(18 ± 1.7 t/km2) was recorded in Sesse island locality – in the North West
quadrant.
The biomass of Dagaa estimated at 1.25 million tonnes, suggest an increasing

trend in biomass while Haplochromines and other species estimated at 350,000 t
show a more or less stable biomass. Combining all the three major species
groups makes a total 2.3 million tonnes close to 2.17 m t the average estimated
by Getabu et al. (2003) for the LVFRP period. It can be concluded therefore that
the overall biomsss has remained fairly stable with changes in species
composition. Whereas Getabu et al. (2003) noted a declining trend in the
biomass of Nile perch for the period 1999 -2002 coupled with and increasing
trend in the biomass of the small pelagics (Dagaa and Haplochromines), the
surveys under IFMP suggest oscillation of Nile perch biomass around 0.7 m t
while Dagaa show oscillation between August and February around 1 m t. The
haplochromines group shows a more stable biomass.
Areas with observed changes in water environment such as Nyanza Gulf that
recorded the lowest Secchi depth (0.45 m), and highly eutrophic conditions,
covered with extensive algal booms and water hyacinths mats recoded the
lowest density of both Nile perch and Dagaa. There is a serious concern over the
ii
water environment situation in the Nyanza Gulf where there is great inflow of
many rivers from the catchment but out flow seems poor.
The single targets detected suggest dominance of juvenile Nile perch in the
population. Although targets estimated to come from fish as large as 156.83 cm
TL were encountered, only 0.75% of targets represent fish above the 50 cm TL
(minimum slot size). Strict observance of the minimum slot size could allow more
to grow to harvestable sizes. As for Dagaa, analysis of catches indicated that
more than 88% of fish caught were mature. In addition, there are high densities
in the deep, coastal, and inshore NE strata of the lake. More effort targeting this
species could be encouraged and advised to target deep and coastal areas.
iii
Table of contents
ABSTRACT..............................................................................................................I
A LAKE WIDE ACOUSTIC SURVEY WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF OBTAINING
ESTIMATES THE BIOMASS AND SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION
PATTERNS OF THE MAJOR COMMERCIAL FISH SPECIES WAS
CONDUCTED IN LAKE VICTORIA FROM 17TH FEBRUARY – 17TH MARCH
2007 USING A SIMRAD EY 500 SCIENTIFIC ECHO-SOUNDER
CONNECTED TO A 9° BEAM WIDTH SPLIT BEAM TRANSDUCER
OPERATING AT 120KHZ. IN ADDITION ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
WAS CONCURRENTLY CONDUCTED WITH THE SURVEY USING A SEA
BIRD CTD AND A SECCHI DISK TO HELP EXPLAINING OBSERVED FISH
BIOMASS LEVELS AND THE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION
PATTERNS...........................................................................................................I
TABLE OF CONTENTS........................................................................................IV
1.0 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................1
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS.........................................................................3
2.1 Study area ...................................................................................................3
ORGANIZATION OF THE CRUISE.......................................................................4
Cruise track design.............................................................................................4
2.4 Acoustic equipment.......................................................................................5
2.5 CALIBRATION OF ECHOSOUNDER.............................................................6
2.6 Acoustic data acquisition, processing and analysis......................................6
2.6.1 Cruise tracks covered and sampling intensity.....................................................6
2.6.2 Data logging and storage....................................................................................8
2.6.3 Acoustic Data Preparation .................................................................................9
2.6.4 Setting analysis lines and definition of regions..................................................9
2.6.5 Single Target Analysis.....................................................................................11
2.6.6 Integration analysis...........................................................................................12
Estimation of Standing Stock.....................................................................................14
2.7 Biological and environmental data acquisition............................................15
2.7.1 Collection of Biological Data..........................................................................15
2.7.2 Environmental Sampling .................................................................................15
3.0 RESULTS.......................................................................................................17
3.1 Standing stock of Nile perch by stratum....................................................17
Nile perch single target distribution ......................................................................20
Biomass of dagaa.............................................................................................20
The estimated stock of dagaa in Lake Victoria during the the February – March
2007 survey is 1,251,429 t. The mean standing crop was highest in the
inshore North East (28.4 ± 4.3 t/km2), Speak Gulf (27.8 ± 5.3), and the
Deep (20.0 ± 3.4) strata. Nyanza Gulf recorded the lowest density of Dagaa
(0.6 ± 1.8 t/km2). ..........................................................................................21
3.5. Haplochromines and others.......................................................................21
Net haul Samples.............................................................................................22
3.6.1 Nile perch from Net hauls.................................................................................23
3.6.2 Dagaa from Net hauls.......................................................................................24
iv
Revision of the stock estimates of Nile perch from the previous surveys under
IFMP.............................................................................................................27
DURING THE ANALYSIS OF THE FEBRUARY – MARCH 2007 ACOUSTIC
DATA, IT WAS REALIZED THAT THE ECHOVIEW SOFTWARE USED FOR
ANALYSIS WAS NOT EXPORTING CELLS WHERE NO SINGLE TARGETS
ARE DETECTED. THEREFORE IF ANY EDSU WHERE NO SINGLE
TARGETS ARE DETECTED IS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN
ESTIMATING THE STRATUM DENSITY, THE RESULT IS OVERESTIMATED.
CONSULTATIONS WERE MADE WITH THE ACOUSTIC ISTTA AND
SONARDATA WHO PROVIDED THE OPTION THAT COULD OUTPUT
EMPTY CELLS. CONSEQUENTLY DATA FROM THE PREVIOUS THREE
SURVEYS UNDER THE IFMP WERE RE-EXPORTED INCLUDING EMPTY
CELLS AND RE-ANALYZED. ........................................................................27
THIS RE-ANALYSIS AFFECTED MAINLY NILE PERCH BIOMASS THAT IS
ESTIMATED USING SINGLE TARGET DETECTIONS. THE BIOMASS OF
DAGAA AND HAPLOCHROMINES ESTIMATED THROUGH ECHO
INTEGRATION WERE NOT AFFECTED EXCEPT THE HAPLOCHROMINE
BIOMASS FOR AUGUST 2006. DURING THE AUGUST 2006 SURVEY NILE
PERCH SINGLE TARGETS HAD BEEN ESTIMATED THROUGH
AVERAGING LAYER DENSITIES. THE DATA HAVE BEEN RE-ANALYZED
THROUGH SUMMING UP LAYER DENSITIES BEFORE OBTAINING
AVERAGE EDSU DENSITIES. THE HAPLOCHROMINE BIOMASS FOR THE
SAME SURVEY HAS BEEN REVISED THROUGH SUBTRACTION OF
REVISED NILE PERCH EQUIVALENTS. THE OTHER TWO SURVEYS
(AUGUST 2005 AND FEBRUARY 2006) WERE ANALYZED THROUGH
SUMMING UP LAYERS DENSITIES BEFORE OBTAINING EDSU AVERAGE
DENSITY. IN SUCH A CASE THE BIOMASS CHANGED BECAUSE OF
EDSUS WHICH HAD NO SINGLE TARGETS. THUS IN THE COURSE OF
HAPLOCHROMINES ANALYSIS, SUBTRACTION OF THOSE EDSUS WITH
ZERO TARGETS DOES NOT AFFECT THE ORIGINAL INTEGRATION
RESULTS. .........................................................................................................27
THE RESULTANT CHANGES IN BIOMASS ESTIMATES OF NILE PERCH
FROM THE PREVIOUS SURVEYS AND THE ORIGINAL ANALYSIS OF THIS
SURVEY ARE INDICATED IN TABLE 3.7 BELOW. THE DETAILED BIOMASS
ESTIMATES BY STRATA FROM THE PREVIOUS SURVEYS IS PROVIDED
AT THE END OF THIS REPORT AS APPENDIX VI.........................................27
4.0 DISCUSSION..................................................................................................29
4.1 Trends in standing stock.............................................................................29
4.2 Spatial variation in fish stocks.....................................................................30
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................32
6.0 CONSTRAINTS/CHALLENGES.....................................................................34
6.1 The vessel...................................................................................................34
6.2 Computers...................................................................................................34
7.0 REFERENCES...............................................................................................35
8.0 APPENDICES ...............................................................................................37
Appendix I: Event Logsheet.............................................................................37
v
APPENDIX II: Equipment and Personnel ........................................................48
Appendix III. Echosounder Operational settings .............................................49
Appendix V: Limnological observations............................................................52
SUMMARY............................................................................................................52
1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................54
2.0 OBJECTIVE....................................................................................................54
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS........................................................................54
4.0 RESULTS.......................................................................................................56
4.1 North Eastern (NE) Quadrant.....................................................................56
4.2 North Western (NW) Quadrant...................................................................57
4.3 South Eastern (SE) Quadrant.....................................................................58
4.4 South Western (SW) Quadrant...................................................................58
4.5 Selected Gulfs and bays.............................................................................59
4.6 Water strata.................................................................................................63
5.0. DISCUSSION.................................................................................................64
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................66
Annex 1. Strata, quadrant, event numbers (CTD) sampled station names, time
of sampling and GPS locations, February – March 2007............................67
vi
1.0 Introduction
A lake wide acoustic survey was conducted in Lake Victoria from 17th February –
17th March 2007 using a Simrad EY 500 scientific echo-sounder connected to a
9° beam width split beam transducer operating at 120kHz. The objectives of the
survey were to estimate the biomass and determine the spatial and temporal
distribution patterns of the major commercial species in the lake. An
environmental assessment was concurrently conducted with the survey using a
Sea Bird CTD and a Secchi Disk to help explain observed fish biomass levels
and the spatial and temporal distribution patterns respectively. The assessment
is further intended to provide information on how physical, chemical and
biological processes interact to influence fish production in the lake.
Acoustic surveys are one of the widely used methods for fish stock abundance
estimation. They form an important part of routine stock assessment worldwide
(Ona, 1999). They have the advantage that large areas can be surveyed at high
spatial and temporal resolutions in a relatively short period of time. The sampling
procedure involved does not involve the capture and killing of large numbers of
fish. In addition, acoustic surveys can be used to map and monitor distribution of
fish and habitat use within the ecosystem (Gauthier and Horne, 2004). The
resultant abundance estimates and distribution can be input in assessment
models to provide estimates of sustainable yield and are thus a valuable tool for
providing advice for management of fisheries.
Acoustic surveys are one of the fisheries independent methods for stock
assessment used on Lake Victoria. The other methods are bottom trawl and
gillnet surveys. These are supplemented by information obtained from fisheries
dependent methods (catch assessment and Frame surveys). So far, the
technique has been used to provide biomass estimates and distribution of the
Nile perch (Lates niloticus) >10 cm TL and dagaa (Rastrineobola argentea). The
third species, the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), is restricted to shallow
1
inshore areas currently inadequately covered due to limitation of the current
vertical beaming technique.
The surveys are conducted biannually to capture the differences in stocks

distribution during the two main seasons: in January/February when the lake is
thermally stratified and in August/September when it is mixed. So far, ten surveys
have been conducted using the research vessel (R.V. Victoria Explorer) and
equipment (Simrad EY500 120kHz echosounder) from August 1999 to August
2001 under the EU - LVFRP II and from August 2005 to date under the IFMP
project, both EU funded projects. The surveys under LVFRP II concentrated in
areas deeper than 20 m. Later, it was observed that there were significant
amounts of fish in shallow coastal waters; thus surveys under IFMP have been
designed to cover the central part of the lake and to increase the sampling effort
in the coastal and inshore areas. The February – March 2007 survey sampling
design was adjusted to cover more of the offshore central area of the lake
previously not adequately covered.
During acoustic surveys, fish samples are collected using bottom and pelagic
trawl nets to obtain information on length, weight and other biological parameters
of fish species. In addition, fishing in a particular layer of echo traces observed
acoustically provides detailed information on species composition of that layer.
2
2.0 Materials and Methods
2.1 Study area
This survey was undertaken on Lake Victoria with an estimated surface area of
68,000 km2. For acoustic survey purposes, the lake was divided into four ninety-
degree quadrants: Northeast (NE), Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW) and
Northwest (SW) (Fig. 1). The lake centre was taken as: Position: 1º 00’ S; 33º
10’ E for the NE and NW quadrants. A different centre for the remaining
quadrants (SE and SW) was determined at 1º 00’ S; 32º40’ E due to the
asymmetric nature of the shape of the lake.
The above quadrants have enabled the survey to be carried out efficiently.
However, there are some localities that warrant consideration as separate
entities due to their topography: these are: Speke Gulf, Nyanza Gulf, Emini
Pasha Gulf, Sesse Islands (Fig. 1).
Figure 1: Map of Lake Victoria showing division of four
3
quadrants and special localities sampled
Organization of the cruise
This survey was conducted from 17th February to 17th March 2007. The survey
was preceded by one week preparatory time which involved survey design,
testing of equipment, procurement of materials and calibration of the acoustic
equipment. The EY 500 software was installed in two old Toshiba laptops. One of
these laptops had smaller disk space therefore data on longer days had to be
transferred or the laptop switched off in the in the course of the day to create
space to complete the day’s data logging.
Cruise track design
The cruise track prepared for the February-March 2007 survey followed the
design used in the previous three surveys funded by IFMP project. The transects
in the deep waters were made longer than in the previous surveys to reduce the
area left uncovered in the middle part of the lake.
Sampling was restricted to daylight hours because previous surveys indicated

presence of large amounts of zooplankton in the water column after dusk. This
required the vessel to leave its overnight anchorage at dawn to be able to
commence acoustic sampling soon after 07:00 local time (East African Standard
time). During the daylight sampling, acoustic transects, net hauls and CTD
deployments had to be accommodated. The following outline plan made in an
earlier survey was revised and used as a basis of the daily work plan:
Survey transects, including deadheads 8.5 hours (Estimated 76 miles)

Drift 1 hour
Net hauls (2 per day) 2 hours
CTD 0.3 hours
Transit to and from anchorage 1 hour
4
However, on the days when the deep water transects were covered, the vessels
had to leave overnight anchorage by 5.00am and complete the day by 7 – 8 .00
pm after covering over 100 nautical miles.
The organization of the sampling and data collection were structured according
to the type of activity taking place. The following activities were organized;
a) Transect: an acoustic survey track with the vessel proceeding in the

same nominal direction at constant speed. The following types of
transects were designated:
Deep Transect (Code TD);

Coastal Transect (Code TC);
Inshore Transect (Code TI);
Deadhead (Code DH), the track between two transects;
b) Net haul: either pelagic net (Code NP) or bottom trawl (NB)
c) CTD: Environmental sampling using the CTD, Secchi disc etc.
d) Drift: the vessel engine snitched off and the vessel either stationary or
making slight movements due to wind/water currents
Groups of activities at the same nominal location were given the designation
‘Stations’ to indicate that they might be analyzed together. The event log for the
cruise is set out in Appendix I.
2.4 Acoustic equipment

A Simrad EY 500 portable scientific echosounder was used for sampling. Two
transceiver units were carried on the survey but only one, TAFIRI / MZA / TR / 2
was used. The EY 500 echosounder used on the survey has an operating
frequency of 120 kHz and is connected to a hull mounted 9°beam angle
transducer. A complete list of equipment and personnel on board RV Victoria is
presented in Appendix II.
5
2.5 Calibration of echosounder
The calibration of echosounder was done on 15th February 2007 and 13th March
2007 using a tungsten-carbide sphere of diameter 33.2 mm following procedures
as described in SIMRAD EY 500 manual. The difference between the measured
and calibrated values of both the TS gain and the Sv gain were less than one
percent but the Sv gain before and after the survey had a difference of 1.32 dB
but much lower than the Sv gains measured during the previous recent surveys
under IFMP. Analysis of previous Sv gain values indicated the one obtained
during this survey was inadequate. Consequently a mean Sv gain (23.16 dB)
value of the last three surveys was used for integration analysis.
2.6 Acoustic data acquisition, processing and analysis
2.6.1 Cruise tracks covered and sampling intensity

Acoustic data were collected along pre-designed cruise tracks during daytime.
Transects surveyed are indicated in Figure 2. The sampling intensity in each
stratum calculated as the total area of the stratum divided by the total length of
transects surveyed in the stratum is presented in Table 2.1.
6
NE
NW
SW SE
Cruise track
Start/End of Each Day
Long Line fishers
Figure 2: Cruise track covered during the February – March 2007 Survey.
round dots indicate deep water areas where fishers were found
fishing during the survey
7
Table 2.1: Intensity of sampling within each stratum during February – March
2007 acoustic survey.
Designation Stratum Number of Surveyed Stratum Sampling
transects distance (d) area intensity
sampled used for (A) (A/d)
standing stock
estimation
(km)
All 47
DEEP 10 495 23,367
Quadrants
All 28
COASTAL 31 748 21,038
Quadrants
Southwest INSHORE 14 248 3,181 12
Northwest INSHORE 12 182 3,115 17
Northeast INSHORE 21 298 5,729 19
Southeast INSHORE 8 123 2,003 16
Special 31
Emin Pasha 4 65 2,022
Regions
Sesse 45
3 55 2494
Islands
Nyanza 19
4 69 1,335
Gulf
Speke Gulf 5 80 2909 36
2.6.2 Data logging and storage

The echo sounder was controlled from an old Toshiba laptop PC running the EY
500 software. At the beginning of each day, echosounder operation settings
(Appendix III) were thoroughly checked by at least two members of the group for
any changes prior to logging. Data were logged to the laptop in files of length 100
MB. At the end of each day all files were renamed to include the extension
[.2007] to avoid them being read as coming from the year 1995. They were then
transferred to a separate laptop and backed up onto hard disks.
The following output telegrams were logged:
8
Sv Q1 telegrams
Sv Q1 telegrams with expanded bottom
Sv W1 telegrams (power)
Angular positions B1 telegrams
TS W1 telegrams (power)
Single target detections E1 telegrams
Position GPS fixes (derived from Garmin GPS)
The survey data collected was organized into a directory and file structure of the
type: Top directory: C:\SURVEY 2007\DATA\ .Further subdirectories of the
format dd mmm were established for each day e.g.:
C:\SURVEY 2007\DATA\22 FEB or

C:\SURVEY 2007\DATA\07 MAR.
2.6.3 Acoustic Data Preparation

The files logged from EY500 software checked to ensure that data had been
captured correctly. Each day’s raw acoustic data files were loaded into Echoview
using a standardized template to ensure consistency, specifically for calibration
values and saved as EV files using the day’s date as the file name. Settings used
in Echoview are given in Appendix IV.
2.6.4 Setting analysis lines and definition of regions

A line, labeled ‘Checked bottom’, with an offset of 0.5 m from the sounder
detected bottom, was created. Another line called test bottom with an offset of 2
metres from the checked bottom line was created. In addition, two more lines
headline with an offset of 3 m from checked bottom line and top line with a fixed
depth of 2 m from the transducer were created. For analysis of Dagaa, a variable
line called dagaa line was created with an offset of 0.33 of the water column.
In Echoview, a time grid was set at ¼ of a minute and exported as comma

separated values into an Excel spread sheet. The mean distance over four
9
sequential GPS fixes was used to estimate the vessel speed at one minute
intervals. These files were examined in Excel spreadsheets along with the
Echoview Cruise track and used to check the logged times of start and end of
each event recorded in the Event log. This was edited to record the times when
useable data had been logged. In the case of transects this meant the period
during which the vessel was proceeding on a constant course at constant speed.
Each event was identified as a ‘Region’ on the appropriate daily Echoview
echogram. The resultant Echoview files were used as the baseline series for
subsequent Echoview analyses.
To ensure that bottom echoes were not included in either single target detection
or integration, analysis by region was done between test bottom and checked
bottom lines using Single target-split beam method 1 echogram. Whenever TS
max was above -20 dB (agreeable range for a big Nile perch), an inspection of
the region was done and the ‘Checked bottom’ line corrected to exclude any
spurious values. In addition, the integration by region was performed on Sv Q1
telegram with expanded bottom T1, between checked bottom and test bottom
lines. The procedure to correct the checked bottom line was as above whenever
high values were encountered.
2.6.4 Estimation of EDSU
The distance was calculated using GPS positions and time on 10th March when
GPS logging failed. Depth layers were set at 100 m for integration analyses and
at 2 m intervals for the single target analyses as in the last three surveys. Each
EDSU and Layer in Echoview constitutes a ‘Cell’. Data collected from periods
designated as ‘Transect Regions’ were used for analyses for the estimation of
standing stock.
10
For single target detections, analysis from each cell were exported by transect
and by cell. To ensure that cells where no target was recorded are easily
identified, the option of “Output empty cells” was checked in Echoview – EV File
properties Export window prior to data export.
The GPS positions of the start and end of each cell were used to determine the
distance of the cell. Through the main part of each transect, these estimated
distances corresponded to the intended distance of 1 km. However, some cells
produced distances well below 1 km. This occurred either at the beginning and
end of the transect or when there was a system failure to record position. As in
the previous survey, only EDSUs of 0.9 to 1 km were accepted for analysis.
For the 10th of March 2007 when GPS positions were not logged, a time grid of
3.6 minutes (time taken for a vessel traveling at a constant speed of 9 knots to
cover 1 km) was set and exported into Excel spreadsheets. The average speed
of the vessel recorded over each transect was multiplied by exported time to
determine the actual distance covered in each cell. The distances calculated for
each cell were comparable to 1 km EDSUs set on days when the GPS positions
were digitally logged.
2.6.5 Single Target Analysis

Nile perch densities were estimated using single target detections in Echoview
using the split beam output data of power and angle and using the algorithm
‘Single Targets Split Beam Method 1’ as in the previous surveys. Data were
exported by transect and by cells (constituting individual EDSU). During the
August 2005 acoustic survey on Lake Victoria, measurements of all pelagic trawl
catches revealed that only 1.06% by number of all fish ≥ 10 cm TL in open
coastal and deep areas of the lake were not Nile perch. This length approximates
to TS of -50 dB using the relationship:
TS = (29.9 × Log (TL)) − 79.3
11
estimated during the previous survey (Acoustic report, August 2005).using the
deformed cylinder Model (McClatchie et al., 1996). Consequently a threshold of
-50 dB was set in echo view for single target extractions.
Data were exported within two meter depth strata from Topline to Checked
bottom and converted to mean numerical density using the formula:
 N t arg ets 
Density =  
 V Beam 
Where NTargets and VBeam are the number of targets detected and the beam volume
within the cell respectively.
The mean size was estimated from the mean TS and length/weight relationship.
This was multiplied by the numerical density to give the estimated standing stock
within the beam volume of each respective cell. Area density was estimated
from the volume density by multiplying by the layer thickness and the EDSU Area
density estimated by summing the Layer Area densities.
The values for TS/Size and Length/Weight relationships used in analysis were
the same as those used for the August 2005, February, and August 2006
surveys. These were determined in August 2005 acoustic survey when enough
samples were obtained. They are
TL=10((TS+79.3)/29.9) and
Total weight = 0.0042 x TL3.26 respectively.
2.6.6 Integration analysis

The standing stock of dagaa and the other species (haplochromines and others)
were estimated using echo integration. In the case of dagaa, integration was
undertaken in the layer from ‘Topline’ to the ‘Dagaa’ line and marked “Integration
Dagaa”. In the case of haplochromines and other unidentified species,
integration was between the ‘Topline’ and ‘Checked bottom’ and marked
12
“Integration All”. Attempts were made to mask out single targets before
integration to reduce on the requirement of subtracting ABC equivalent of Nile
perch but the export of masked echograms was not possible due licensing
restrictions. Consequently, estimation of the standing stock of haplochromines
was made by, subtracting the area backscattering coefficients (ABC) of dagaa
and Nile perch from the total layer values (Integration All) according to the
following formula:-
ABCHaplo = ABC All − ABCDagaa − ABC Nileperch
The integration ABC values for all and Dagaa were exported directly while those
for Nile perch were calculated from the Sv values using following relationships:
ABC = 10 ( Sv / 10 )
The Nile perch Sv values were estimated from the single target detections
included in the integration range (from Top line to checked bottom) according to
a model developed from the previous survey through observations of slow speed
transects.
Sv Nile perch = TS mean + 10 log N Targets – 10 log Beam Vol – 2.3
Where TS = Target strength
N = No of Targets
Beam vol = Beam volume
and 2.3 an observed difference between corrected and uncorrected values

for single targets detected during Slow Speed transects (February 2006,
acoustic survey report).
The ABC for Nile perch were estimated from Sv values determined above from
the following relationship:-
ABC Nile perch = 10((Sv Nile perch)/10)
13
The ABC values were converted into numerical densities and consequently into
biomass using the TS/length relationship determined by Tumwebaze (2003). This
relationship is given below
TS = 20 log TL – 72.2
For haplochromines group which are very close to Nile perch in acoustic
properties, and also include small Nile perch, the TS/Length relationship used for
Nile perch was utilized just like in the last surveys.
Estimation of Standing Stock

The mean transect density for each taxon for each EDSU was calculated using
Excel as the mean of all EDSUs within the respective transect. The mean EDSU
density of all transects, within a stratum was taken as an unbiased estimator of
the stratum mean. For each stratum the standard deviation (SD) was calculated
from mean deviations and a standard error (SE) as:
SE = SD / n
Where n is the number of EDSUs surveyed in the stratum
The biomass of each taxa for each stratum was determined by multiplication of
the densities and stratum area. The stratum areas are given in Table 2.2 below;
Table 2.2: Areas of Lake Surface (km2) within each stratum
Quadrant Deep Coastal Inshore Special localities
South East 6,166 5,786 2,003 2,909 (Speke Gulf)
South West 6,251 6,601 3,181 2,022 (Emini Pasha)
North West 6,226 4,865 3,115 2,494 (Sesse Islands)
North East 4,724 3,786 5,729 1,335 (Nyanza Gulf)
TOTAL 23,367 21,038 14,028 8,760
14
2.7 Biological and environmental data acquisition
2.7.1 Collection of Biological Data

Three gears, a bottom trawl of vertical opening 3.5 m and a pelagic trawl with an
opening of 7 m x 7 m and a Frame trawl were used for biological sampling. The
duration of hauls was approximately 30 minutes. Start and end times, water
depths and warp length were recorded. Cod-ends of both trawl nets were fitted
with mosquito netting of mesh size 6 mm to ensure retention of small fish. The
operating depth of the pelagic trawl was monitored using a FURUNO CR-24 net-
Sonde acoustically linked to a shipboard display monitor by a paravane. Net
sampling was used to assist with the attribution of echo traces to species.
For each haul, the total weight of each species was measured, in the case of
large samples and individual fish using a digital spring balance suspended from
the trawl gantry, and for small samples using Salter pattern kitchen scales. In the
case of numerically large catches, sub-samples were taken for subsequent
analyses of length and weight. Lengths were measured to a centimeter below for
large specimens and millimeter for small fish.
2.7.2 Environmental Sampling

Physical and chemical parameters were collected using CTD Seabird Electronics
Sea Cat SBE 19 programmed to take measurements at 5 seconds intervals. The
main physical and chemical parameters measured were; depth, temperature,
dissolved oxygen, conductivity and chlorophyll-a. Positions of sampling stations
were taken using a Magellan GPS. Other information gathered included; time of
sampling, weather and station physical features with emphasis on occurrence of
algal blooms as well as presence of Water hyacinth Eichorinia crassipes. A total
42 CTD stations were sampled. The sampling points of the CTD casts and net
haul positions are presented in Figure 3
15
Figure 3. Locations of CTD and trawl sampling stations during the February 2007
survey
Secchi depth was measured using a standard Secchi disk of 20 cm diameter,

with quadrants painted white The disk was suspended or lowered in the water
from the shaded side of the boat; the depth at which it disappeared from view
was noted, and then the depth at which it reappeared upon being raised was also
noted The Secchi depth was calculated as the average of the two depths. The
data was stored in Excel spreadsheets. The detailed protocols followed in
environmental sampling and the results, discussion and conclusion from
environmental observations are attached to this report as Appendix V.
16
3.0 RESULTS
3.1 Standing stock of Nile perch by stratum
Table 3.1. Biomass estimates of the Nile perch > 10 cm TL, in Lake Victoria
During February – March 2007 acoustic survey.
No of Density Lower Biomass Upper

Stratum Area Transects (t/km2) Limit (t) Limit
Deep 23367 10 9.2 206,616 215,940 225,263

Coastal 21038 31 11.9 243,267 250,051 256,835
- -
Inshore
14
SW 3181 11.5 34,571 36,724 38,877
Inshore
12
NW 3115 13.4 38,612 41,816 45,020
Inshore
21
NE 5729 13.2 71,918 75,787 79,655
Inshore
8
SE 2003 9.2 16,937 18,395 19,853
- -
Emin
4
Pashia 2022 10.3 19,778 20,833 21,887
Sesse Is 2494 3 18.0 40,670 44,998 49,326
Nyanza
Gulf 1335 4 4.4 4,851 5,889 6,927
Speke
Gulf 2909 4 3.9 5,182 11,331 17,481
Total 67193 682,403 721,763 761,124
The standing stock of the Nile perch, L. niloticus in Lake Victoria estimated
during February – March 2007 acoustic survey is presented in Table 3.1. The
mean total biomass was estimated as 721,763 t. Area densities were higher in
the inshore Northern East and North West quadrants at 13.2 ± 0.7 and 13.4 ± 1.0
t km-2 respectively compared to the Southern East and South West quadrants
with 9.2 ± 0.7 and 11.5 ± 0.7 t km-2 respectively. The highest density was
17
recorded in Sesse Island 18.0 ± 1.7 t km-2. Two of the special localities surveyed
(Nyanza gulf, 4.4 ± 0.8 and Speke gulf, 3.9 ± 2.1 t km -2) recorded very low
densities of Nile perch compared to the deep water, coastal and inshore and
other special strata (Table 3.1).
3. 2 Spatial distribution of Nile perch
The density distribution of Nile perch in Lake Victoria during February – March
2007 is presented in Fig 4. The two northern quadrants of the lake recorded
higher densities than the southern quadrants (Fig. 4). In general, the deep and
coastal areas recorded lower densities. This is severely noted in Southeast
quadrant where the whole area recorded low density of between 0 and 10
tonnes/km2 with apart from the entrance of Mara bay and Southern part of
Ukerewe near Wiru Island which recorded a density of between 40.1 and 50 t/
km2. The inshore areas of Southwest quadrant recorded fairly uniform density of
between 10.1 to 20 t/ km2 with Maisome channel and southern part of Bumbireh
Island recording the density of between 40.1 and 50 t/km 2. In addition, the
northern part of the quadrant from Bukoba area through Kagya to Rubafu bay
recorded constantly high density of between 30.1 - 100 t/km2. The high density in
this area extends to coastal areas suggesting that the area to be well
oxygenated.
The area from Rubafu bay extending into the Northwest quadrant to southern
part of Sesse Island recorded higher density of Nile perch over a large area. This
is the only area around the lake where higher densities were found close to each
other. Places like west of Bukassa Island, and the area between Lujabwa Island
and the main Bugala Island recorded densities of between 40.1 and 100 t/km 2.
Another area in this quadrant which recorded a density of between 40.1 and 100
t/km2 is Murchison bay near Kampala area. The rest of the area recorded fairly
constant densities of between 0 and 20 t/km2 including deep and coastal areas.
18
The Northern part of Northeast quadrant from Bugaia Island on Ugandan side of
the lake to Kamogwe Bay on Kenyan waters recorded higher density over large
area following the area mentioned above. Berkeley and Kamogwe bays recorded
a density of between 50.1 and 100 t/km2. In general, the coastal areas also
recorded fairly constant densities of between 10.1 and 40 t/km 2 while one of deep
transect having low density of 0 and 20 t/km 2. In addition, East of Mfwangano
Island and Kalungu bay recorded a density of between 50.1 and 100 t/km2, deep
area west of Mfwangano Island recorded fairly constant density of between 10 to
40 t/ km2 while coastal areas recorded lower densities.
Fig.4. The density distribution of Nile perch in Lake Victoria as estimated per
kilometer EDSU during February – March 2007 acoustic survey
.
19
Nile perch single target distribution
The single target characteristics of the Nile perch in Lake Victoria during
February – March 2007 are presented in Table 3.2. The largest target
encountered was 156.8 cm TL in the inshore stratum. Targets from special
localities such as the Emin Pasha and Nyanza Gulfs were of smaller sizes < 43
cm TL. In addition, Fig. 5 presents distribution of single targets by depth from one
of the transects.
Table 3.2. Single target characteristics of Nile perch in Lake Victoria during
February-March 2007 acoustic survey by strata.
STRATUM Max TS (dB) Max Size (TL cm) Number of targets

Coastal -17.11 146.79 227,764
Deep -14.16 144.95 185,324
Inshore -19.58 156.83 133.750
Emin Pasha Gulf -19.62 24.96 2306
Nyanza Gulf -28.70 42.65 3767
Sesse Is -14.52 80.79 8481
Depth (m)
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
-10
Tasrget strength (dB)
-20
-30
-40
-50
-60
Fig 5. Distribution of targets of Nile perch > 10 cm TL by depth
Biomass of dagaa
Table 3.3. Estimated standing stock of Dagaa from the February – March 2007
acoustic survey by stratum.
20
No of Density Lower Biomass
Area Transects (t/km2) Limit (t) Upper Limit
Stratum
23,3 466,26
10
Deep 67 20.0 386,087 7 546,447
21,0 355,37
31
Coastal 38 16.9 320,518 0 390,223
- -
Inshore 3,1 35,91
14
SW 81 11.3 30,293 5 41,537
Inshore 3,1 61,00
12
NW 15 19.6 54,029 3 67,976
Inshore 5,7 162,64
21
NE 29 28.4 138,057 0 187,223
Inshore 2,0 30,56
8
SE 03 15.3 26,153 0 34,967
- -
Emin 2,0 34,86
4
Pashia 22 17.2 24,902 0 44,819
2,4 23,03
3
Sesse Is 94 9.2 485 5 45,586
Nyanza 1,3 (1,603 82
Gulf 35 4 0.6 ) 0 3,243
Speke 2,9 80,95
Gulf 09 4 27.8 65,438 9 96,480
- -
67,1 1,251,42
Total 93 1,044,357 9 1,458,501
The estimated stock of dagaa in Lake Victoria during the the February – March
2007 survey is 1,251,429 t. The mean standing crop was highest in the
inshore North East (28.4 ± 4.3 t/km2), Speak Gulf (27.8 ± 5.3), and the
Deep (20.0 ± 3.4) strata. Nyanza Gulf recorded the lowest density of Dagaa
(0.6 ± 1.8 t/km2).
3.5. Haplochromines and others
Table 3.4. Estimated standing stock of Haplochromines and other
21
unidentified fish species from the February _ March 2007
acoustic survey.
No of Density Lower Biomass Upper

Area Transects (t/km2) Limit (t) Limit
Stratum
59,17 71,09
10
Deep 23,367 2.5 47,258 6 5
92,83 102,86
31
Coastal 21,038 4.4 82,808 7 6
- -
Inshore 22,99 27,45
14
SW 3,181 7.2 18,522 0 8
Inshore 23,36 27,34
12
NW 3,115 7.5 19,382 5 7
Inshore 39,94 52,09
21
NE 5,729 7.0 27,797 7 8
Inshore (994 7,53 16,06
8
SE 2,003 3.8 ) 8 9
- -
Emin 27,65 32,38
4
Pashia 2,022 13.7 22,930 6 2
24,63 38,65
3
Sesse Is 2,494 9.9 10,623 9 5
Nyanza 1,03
Gulf 1,335 4 0.8 (37) 1 2,099
Speke 50,01 61,23
Gulf 2,909 4 17.2 38,800 9 7
- -
349,19 431,30
Total 67,193 267,089 7 5
The estimated biomass of haplochromines and other species (tilapia, Bagrus,
Synodontis etc) is 350,000 tonnes. The densities of these group of fishes are
very low (< 10 tkm-2) except Speak and Emin Pashia Gulfs that recorded (17.2 ±
3.9 tkm-2) and (13.7 ± 2.3 tkm-2) respectively. Nyanza Gulf again recorded the
lowest density for this species group. Trawl survey in Nyanza gulf indicated the
group comprised mainly the riverine species (Synodontis, Schilbe, Brycinus, and
Bagrus)
Net haul Samples
22
The bottom trawl catches ranged from as low as 1.6 – 40.6 kg haul with the Nile
perch being the most dominant fish contributing 80.21% of the total catch. Low
catches (< 5 kg/haul) were obtained off Wiru, Vumba and Kisuri Islands,
Ushengere and Berkeley bay. Highest catches were obtained from Kifudwe point
and Sigulu Island Table 3.5
Table 3.5 Bottom trawl catches (kg/haul) during the February - March 2007
acoustic survey
Avera
Dept ge.
h Depth
strata Locality (m) L.n O.n R.a Haplo Others Total
I Wiru Island 35.05 1.5 0.1 0 1.6
SG Nassa 9.55 11.16 6.19 17.35
Vumba
I Island 26.8 3.5 0.05 0.15 0.12 3.82
Kifudwe
I point 22.25 48.5 0 48.5
Barkeley
I bay 8.5 3 0.45 1 0 4.45
Nyanza
NG Gulf 11.85 11.5 0.02 0.15 0.05 2.36 14.08
Sigulu
I south 19.15 39.26 0.3 0.95 0.09 40.6
Kisuri
NG Island 8.1 4.1 0.2 0.09 5.31 9.7
I Ushengere 25.95 0.19 0.56 1.44 12.90 15.08
Karungu
I Bay 18.7 18.03 0.25 2 20.28
3.6.1 Nile perch from Net hauls
Virtually all Nile perch caught were below the size at first maturity. Nile perch
matures at 56 cm TL for males and above 68 cm TL for females (Taabu et al.,
2005). Only 0.002% of the fish caught were mature. The largest fish caught was
61 cm TL. Accordingly, there were no mature females caught. The length
frequency distribution for Nile perch caught during the survey is presented in
Fig.6 below:
23
50
Late s niloticus (Nile pe rch)
45
40
35
No. of Fish
30
25
20
15
10
0
10
16
19
22
37
40
43
49
52
55
58
61
13
25
28
31
34
46
1
TL (cm )
Fig 6. Length frequency distribution of Nile perch in retained in net hauls on

Lake Victoria during the February-March 2007 acoustic survey
In some areas for example the Nyanza Gulf where Nile perch used to be
dominant, its percentage composition has now reduced and other species not
prominent before mainly Bagrus docmac and Synodontos spp have increased
their percentage composition... The NE quadrant had the highest number of
species (n=11), while the SW had the lowest (n=6).
3.6.2 Dagaa from Net hauls
The dagaa length frequency depicted a more stable population structure with the
majority of fish being larger than size at first maturity. The size at which the
species matures in Lake Victoria varies from area to area within the range 37 –
42 mm SL for females and 39.9 - 42 mm SL for males. 88.5% of the fish in the
24
population were mature. The length frequency of dagaa caught during the survey
is presented in Fig 7 below:
Rastrineobola argentea - Bottom Trawl
90
80
70
60
No. of Fish
50
40
30
20
10
0
62
23
26
29
32
35
38
41
44
47
50
53
56
59
65
68
71
74
SL (mm)
Rastrineobola argentea - Pelagic Net
16
14
12
No. of fish
10
8
`
6
4
2
0
44
46
48
50
52
54
38
40
42
56
58
60
62
64
66
SL (m m )
Fig 7. Length-frequency distribution of dagaa in retained in net hauls in

Lake Victoria during the February –March
Table 3.6 Percentage composition by weight of fish species caught by a

bottom trawl in Lake Victoria during February – March 2007
acoustic survey.
LOCALITY L.n O.n Rastr. Haplo Barbus Bagrus Morm. Sa Sv Clarias Other
Nassa Bottom SW 64.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 35.5
trawl
Vumba Island Bottom SW 91.7 0.0 1.3 3.9 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5
trawl
Kifudwe point Bottom SW 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
25
trawl
Mean 85.4 0.0 0.4 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 12.7
Barkeley bay Bottom NE 67.4 0.0 10.1 22.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
trawl
Nyanza Gulf Bottom NE 81.7 0.1 1.1 0.4 1.1 2.5 0.2 0.0 10.7 0.2 2.1
trawl
Sigulu south Bottom NE 96.7 0.0 0.7 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2
trawl
Kisuri Bottom NE 42.3 0.0 2.1 0.9 0.0 20.6 0.0 1.0 28.5 0.0 4.6
Island(Nyanza trawl
gulf)
Karungu Bay Bottom NE 80.7 0.0 1.1 9.0 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.9 0.0 2.5
trawl
Mean 73.8 0.0 3.0 7.0 0.6 4.6 0.0 0.2 8.8 0.0 1.9
Wiru Island Bottom SE 93.8 0.0 0.0 6.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
trawl
Ushengere Bottom SE 1.2 0.0 3.7 9.5 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 84.9
trawl
Sina Island Bottom SE 77.7 0.0 3.1 3.2 0.4 1.3 0.0 0.1 3.0 0.0 11.3
trawl
Mean 57.6 0.0 2.3 6.3 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 32.0
Off Pelagi SW 0.0 0.0 99.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Kamasi(UK) trawl
26
Revision of the stock estimates of Nile perch from the previous surveys
under IFMP
During the analysis of the February – March 2007 acoustic data, it was realized
that the Echoview software used for analysis was not exporting cells where
no single targets are detected. Therefore if any EDSU where no single
targets are detected is not taken into account when estimating the stratum
density, the result is overestimated. Consultations were made with the
acoustic ISTTA and Sonardata who provided the option that could output
empty cells. Consequently data from the previous three surveys under the
IFMP were re-exported including empty cells and re-analyzed.
This re-analysis affected mainly Nile perch biomass that is estimated using single
target detections. The biomass of Dagaa and Haplochromines estimated
through echo integration were not affected except the haplochromine
biomass for August 2006. During the August 2006 survey Nile perch single
targets had been estimated through averaging layer densities. The data have
been re-analyzed through summing up layer densities before obtaining
average EDSU densities. The haplochromine biomass for the same survey
has been revised through subtraction of revised Nile perch equivalents. The
other two surveys (August 2005 and February 2006) were analyzed through
summing up layers densities before obtaining EDSU average density. In
such a case the biomass changed because of EDSUs which had no single
targets. Thus in the course of haplochromines analysis, subtraction of those
EDSUS with zero targets does not affect the original integration results.
The resultant changes in biomass estimates of Nile perch from the previous
surveys and the original analysis of this survey are indicated in Table 3.7
below. The detailed biomass estimates by strata from the previous surveys is
provided at the end of this report as Appendix VI.
27
Table 3.7 The biomass (t ± SE) of Nile perch estimated through single target
detections using exports without empty cells (initial estimate)
and exports with empty cells (current estimate) for all the four
surveys undertaken under IFMP
Survey period Initial estimate (t) Current estimate (t)

August 2005 614,375 ± 100,176 543,736 ± 37,793
February 2006 908,753 ± 128,251 751,523 ± 66,850
August 2006 935,513 ± 89,748 599,930 ± 62,995
February 2007 848,377 ± 50,575 721,763 ± 39,361
The hapclochromine and other unidentified species biomass for August 2006
were revised from 430, 772 ± 108,182 t to the current estimate of 378,987 ±
96,487t . Dagaa and haplochromine biomass from all the other surveys remain
unchanged. The estimates of total biomass in the lake and the mean biomass
for each taxa from the four surveys is summarized in Table 3.8 below:
Table 3.8: Estimate of total and mean biomass for the three major taxa from the
four surveys conducted under IFMP monitoring surveys.
Survey period Nile perch Dagaa Haplochromines Total fish
biomass biomass and others biomass
August 2005 543,736 495,362 438,663 1,477,761
February 2006 751,523 1,103,031 552,574 2,407,128
August 2006 599,930 889,857 378,987 1,868,774
February 2007 721,763 1,251,429 349,197 2,322,389
Average 654,238 934,920 429,855 2,019,013
28
4.0 Discussion
4.1 Trends in standing stock
The total fish biomass estimated through acoustic surveys on Lake Victoria over
the years has remained fairly constant. The overall standing stock of all fishes in
the lake was estimated for the period 1999 – 2002 (LVFRP II) to be 2.17 million
tonnes (Getabu et al., 2003). The mean biomass for all species as estimated
under IFMP is 2.02 million tonnes. What have changed over time are the species
compositions. Getabu et al. (2003) noted a consistent decline in the biomass of
Nile perch from 1999 to 2001 and a steady increase in the stock of the small
pelagics (dagaa and haplochromines). The surveys undertaken under IFMP
(August 2005 – February 2007) indicate Nile perch stock oscillates around 0.6 –
0.75 million tonnes. While dagaa shows a slight increase coupled with a slight
decline in the biomass of haplochromines and others. There is a likelihood that
the standing stock of Nile perch is leveling off around 0.7 million tonnes while the
decline in haplochromines group is countered by the increase in dagaa.
Results from the four surveys conducted from August 2005 to February 2007
show seasonal variation in the standing stock of commercial fishes in the lake.
Survey undertaken in February recorded higher standing stock compared to
surveys undertaken in August (Fig. 8). Apart from the reduction in stock of
haplochromines during the survey of February 2007, all the other species show
higher biomass in February compared to August (Fig 8). During February, the
lake is thermally stratified; most of the fish move off the bottom layer and occupy
the major pelagic zone of the lake. This could enhance the chances of most of
them being recorded through acoustic means. In addition it could be as a result
of recruitment from the peak season occurring around long rains in March – April
and rapid growth following the mixing of the lake between May – June as a result
of increased productivity in the lake. Mixing brings up nutrients accumulated at
the bottom of the lake during the thermally stratified period (September – May).
29
1,500,000 Ln Dagaa Haps
1,200,000
900,000
Biomass
600,000
300,000
0
Aug 05 Feb 06 Aug 06 Feb 07
Survey period
Fig. 8: Standing stock of Nile perch, Dagaa, and haplochromines and other
species estimated from four acoustic surveys between (Aug 05 and Feb 07) Lake
Victoria
4.2 Spatial variation in fish stocks
The northern quadrants of the lake recorded higher densities of Nile perch
compared to the southern quadrants. There were however, localized higher
densities in some of the special localities Sesse Islands and Emin pashia gulf
which could be a result of seasonal dispersal of stocks. However, the lower
density of both Nile perch and dagaa in Nyanza gulf could be a result of the
murky nature of the water in the gulf (plate 2). Nile perch and dagaa require
large volume of clean and well oxygenated water compared to the other species.
Trawl catches In Nyanza gulf, were composed mainly of riverine species
(Synodontis sp, Schilbe intemedius and Bagrus docmak) probably due to many
rivers emptying into the gulf.
30
In speak gulf (south Eastern quadrant), the density of Nile perch was very low
(3.9 ± 2.1 t/km-2) yet in the February 2006 survey the same gulf recorded a
density of 12.1 ± 0.8 t/km-2). There could have been localized overfishing in the
gulf resulting in reduced Nile perch biomass. In the same gulf there were
transects where quite a number of EDSUs recorded no single targets. However,
reducing the minimum TS detection threshold indicated presence of many
smaller targets, consequently densities of both dagaa (27.8 ± 5.3 t/km -2) and
Haplochromines (17.2 ± 3.9 t/km-2 ) were very high in the same gulf.
When Nile perch densities in the deep and coastal strata were analyzed by
quadrants, the Northern quadrants of the lake had higher densities (Fig 9). The
densities were thus higher in the northern part of the lake. This could explain the
observed tendency for fishers to go into the deep stratum far away from the
nearest island camp there fish for 2 -3 days then return to the island zone. This
was observed in the North west areas off Bukasa Island and the North east
quadrant off Mfangano Island.
25.0
Nile perch density (t/km )
-2
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
Inshore
SI
Inshore
NG
Inshore
Inshore
Coastal
Coastal
Coastal
Coastal
EP
Deep
Deep
SG
Deep
Deep
NE NW SE SW
Strata from various quadrants
Fig. 9: Density of Nile perch from different strata of the four

quadrants of Lake Victoria
31
Conclusions and recommendations
 Observations from this survey are correlated with the conclusions reached
at the end of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Research Project (LVFRP II). A
common point of convergence is that the total biomass in the lake has
remained fairly constant over the years. There are however, changes in
the species composition which could relate directly to changes in various
fishing factors targeting the different species of commercial importance. It
is therefore recommended that the proposed Fisheries Management
Decision Tool (FMDST) be fully developed to input the revised estimates
of stock sizes together with Frame survey information to guide
management decisions without further delay
 There are apparent seasonal oscillations in stock size of both Nile perch
and Dagaa between the two periods of surveys. It is not yet clear whether
the observed variations are inherent to the stock dynamics or
environmental changes associated with the two periods. Studies
conducted under LVFRP II also noted these seasonal oscillations
particularly with dagaa stocks. There is therefore need for concerted effort
to among other issues understand the stock dynamics before developing
corresponding management measures such as closed seasons.
 There are also observed localized seasonal variations in density
distributions of Nile perch and Dagaa. This could result in localized
overfishing of stocks. A clear understanding of the phenomenon can guide
localized management measures such as institution of by-laws and
observance of localized closed seasons.
 Dagaa has continued to increase in the deep and coastal strata. This is a
fairly short lived species whose increased biomass in the deep and
coastal waters could be harvested without seriously harming its stocks.
There is therefore need to deep simple technologies or encourage the
catamaran in use in the southern section of the lake to venture into the
deep, coastal and northeastern quadrant where substantial amounts of
dagaa are estimated.
32
 The single targets detected indicate dominance of juvenile Nile perch.
Although targets estimated to come from fish as large as 153 cm TL were
encountered, only 0.75% of targets were from fish above the 50 cm TL
(minimum slot size). Strict observance of the minimum slot size could
allow more Nile perch to grow to harvestable sizes.
 This survey is the last in the series of the IFMP funded surveys using the
old EY 500 echo sounder. IFMP has procured a new dual frequency echo
sounder to be utilized starting with the August 2007 survey. Since this
system and analysis protocols utilized have yielded data to form an
important part of the historical trend analysis, there will be need for inter-
calibration between the old system and the new.
 The initial difficulties encountered with the Echoview software at the
analysis workshop in Mukono made it difficult to work as a team and fully
incorporate limnological observations in the main body of this report.
There is need to fully incorporate limnological data in the subsequent
analysis to explain the observed seasonal and localized spatial and
temporal variations.
 Echoview software is still one of the acoustic data analysis software to be
used in the region. Future attempts to utilize the software for estimation of
fish biomass using single target detections should always take the option
that yields all cells (layers and EDSUs) along transects to avoid missing
out empty cells.
33
6.0 Constraints/challenges
6.1 The vessel

a) The team lost one day due to breakage of fan belt. The spare fan belt was
of a smaller size but was used to enable the team move from south of
Lolui island in Uganda to Usenge landing site in Kenya. Arrangements
were made with KEMFRI office to procure the right size from Kisumu and
bring to Usenge.
b) There was a breakdown of the alternator on the boat on 10th March 2007
and the batteries could not be charged. The echogram printing was
stopped for half a day to save power. Again on the same day, the waters
were rough and the movement of the boat could not allow reading of the
bottom for about half an hour. Fortunately this was on the ‘dead head’ and
not on a transect where data for analysis is obtained. Arrangements were
made with an engineer in Mwanza to bring a spare one to Musoma during
the rest day. Still on the same day, 10th March 2007, there was a problem
with the serial cable connecting the GPS to the data logging computer. It
heated up and stopped working. For half a day, GPS readings were not
logged. A second GPS was used for the rest of survey using batteries.
6.2 Computers
The first Toshiba with more memory (2.6GB:) had a faulty USB port and a
flask disk could not be used to remove logged data. The problem was
solved by buying a USB connector to the hard disk after six days in
Bukoba. Coping data involved removing the hard disk and connecting it to
another computer. The second Toshiba with less memory (1.8 GB) could
not accommodate data for more than 8 hours. For days where data was
to be logged for more than eight hours a second computer was used for
the remaining time. The LVFO new computer was used for backup and
analysis. Although it has a memory capacity of 60 GB on C, the computer
indicated that it was full after transferring files of about 30 GB. Some files
were transferred from C to D to create space.
34
7.0 References
Gauthier, S. and Horne, J. K. (2004a) Acoustic characteristics of forage fish

species in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea based on Kirchhoff-
approximation models. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic
Sciences 61: 1839–1850.
Ona, E. (Ed.) (1999). Methodology for target strength measurements (with
special reference to in situ techniques for fish and micronekton). ICES
Cooperative Research Report, 235: 1–59.
McClatchie, S., Alsop, J., Ye, Z., and Coombs, R. F., 1996. Consequence o swim
bladder model model choice and fish orientation to target strength of three
New Zealand fish. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 53: 847 – 862
August 2005 Hydro acoustic survey report
February 2006 Hydro acoustic survey report
Getabu A. 2003. A combined hydro acoustic and bottom trawl assessment of

biomass distribution and population dynamics of the Nile perch, Lates
niloticus in Lake Victoria, East Africa, Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Hull,
UK; 350pp.
Getabu A., R. Tumwebaze, and D. N. MacLennan (2003). Spataial distribution and
temporal changes in the fish populations of Lake Victoria. Aquatic Living
Resources Vol 16. 159-165
Ona, E. (1999). Methodology for target strength measurements with special

reference to in situ techniques for fish and micronecton. ICES
Cooperative Research. Report No. 235, ICES, Palaegade 2 - 4,
Copenhagen K. Denmark, 59pp.
Foote, K.G. (1987). Fish target strengths for use in echo-integrator surveys. J.
Acoust. Soc. Am. 82, 981-7
Taabu A. M, B A Steinarsson and E. Hjörleifsson (2005): Assessment of

status of the stock and fishery of Nile perch in Lake Victoria –Uganda.
Project report for United Nations University – Fisheries Training program
54pp
Tumwebaze, R. (2003). Hydro acoustic abundance assessment and population
characteristics of Rastrineobola argentea in Lake Victoria. PhD Thesis.
University of Hull
Kaufman L. (1992). Catastrophic changes in species rich freshwater ecosystems.
Witte F., Hongerboezem W., Goldschimidt T., Westbrock I. 1995. Major food
types of the fish species in Lake Victoria. In Witte, F. and Van Densen,
L.T. (eds). Fish Stocks and Fisheries of Lake Victoria. Samara London,
337-347.
35
Mugidde R. (2001) Nutrient status and planktonic nitrogen fixation in
Lake Victoria, Africa. Ph.D. Thesis, 196pp. University of Waterloo, Ontario,
Canada.
Seehausen O.; van Alphen J. J. M. & Witte F. (1997a) Cichlid fish diversity
threatened by eutrophication that curbs sexual selection. Science 277:
1808-1811.
Ogari J. 1988. The food of the Nile Perch Lates niloticus (L.) after the
disappearance of haplochromine cichlids in Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria.
J. Fish Biol.32: 571-577.
Ochumba, P. B. 0. & 1. 0. Manyala 1992. Distribution of fishes along the

Sondu-Miriu river of Lake Victoria with special reference to
upstream migration, biology and yield. journal of Aquaculture and Fisheries
Management 23: 701 - 719.
Hecky R. E.; Bugenyi F. W. B.; Ochumba P. B. O.; Talling F. J.; Mugidde R.,
Gophen M. & Kaufman L. 1994 Deoxygenation of deep water of
Lake Victoria, East Africa. Limnol. Oceanogr. 39(6): 1476-1481
36
8.0 Appendices
Appendix I: Event Logsheet

Date Event Activt Stn Quad’n Strat Time Start Time End Remarks
No. t
17/2/07 1 DH SW I 1012 1026 Left Ilemera
2 TI SW I 1027 1130
3 DH SW I 1131 1159
4 TC SW C 1200 1331 Water hyacinth up to outside Mwanza
Gulf
5 CTD 1 SW C 1331 1337 Off Kunene Island
6 DR 1 SW C 1338 1355
7 DH SW C 1357 1429
8 TC SW C 1429 1605
9 TI SW I 1608 1657
10 CTD 2 SW I 0809 0816 Kome Island
11 NB 2 SW I 1711 1739
12 DH SW I 1748 1821 End of Day Nyakaliro
18/2/07 13 TI SW I 0626 0749
14 TC SW C 0749 0920
15 DH SW C 0921 0950
16 CTD 3 SW C 0952 1000 Off Soswa Island
17 DR 3 SW C 1000 1015
18 DH SW C 1017 1034
19 TC SW C 1035 1225
20 TI SW I 1225 1255 Soswa Channel
21 CTD 4 SW I 1257 1304 Maisome
22 DR 4 SW I 1305 1322
23 NB 4 SW I 1329 1358
24 TI SW I 1420 1444
25 TI SW I 1445 1542
26 DH SW I 1542 1615 End of Day Dumacheri
37
No. t
19/2/07 27 DH SW I 0632 0640
28 TI SW EP 0642 0726
29 TI SW EP 0728 0807
30 CTD 5 SW EP 0811 0814
31 DR 5 SW EP 0816 0831
32 NB 5 SW EP 0839 0906
33 TI SW EP 0918 0952
34 TI SW EP 0952 1125
35 TI SW I 1125 1222
36 TI SW I 1223 1315
37 CTD 6 SW I 1317 1323
38 DR 6 SW I 1324 1339
39 NB 6 SW I 1413 1444 Ikuza channel
40 TI SW I 1456 1601
41 DH SW I 1606 1648 Water hyacinth
42 DH SW I 1648 1657 End of Day Ikuza Is
20/2/07 43 DH SW I 0622 0632
44 TI SW I 0633 0706
45 TC SW C 0707 0949
46 DH SW D 0949 1026
47 CTD 7 SW D 1030 1035
48 DR 7 SW D 1035 1045
49 DH SW D 1047 1101
50 TD SW D 1101 1236
51 DH SW D 1237 1440 End of Day Kerebe Is
21/2/07 52 DH SW D 0523 0716
53 TD SW D 0717 1155
53b TD SE D
54 CTD 8 SW D 1158 1208
55 DR 8 SW D 1209 1234
38
No. t
56 NF 8 SW D 1248 1318 Net monitor not working
57 DH SE D 1227 1447
58 TD SW D 1448 1844
59 DH SW D 1845 1939 End of Day Kerebe Is
22/2/07 60 DH SW D 0615 0706 0835-0839 Poor GPS coverage
61 TC SW C 0706 0917 Water hyacinth
62 DH SW C 0917 1006 To Iroba Channel
63 TI SW I 1006 1108
64 CTD 9 SW I 1112 1116 Bumbire Channel
65 DR 9 SW I 1117 1133
66 NB 9 SW I 1141 1211
67 DH SW I 1222 1226
68 TI SW I 1227 1331
69 DH SW I 1331 1348
70 TI SW I 1348 1439 End of Day Bukoba
24/2/07 71 DH SW I 0716 0731
72 TI SW I 0732 0903
73 TC SW C 0904 1121
74 CTD 10 SW C 1125 1130 Off Kagya Pt
75 DR 10 SW C 1130 1145
76 NB 10 SW C 1154 1225
77 DH SW C 1237 1336
78 TC NW C 1336 1604 Water hyacinth
79 DH NW I 1606 1628
80 TI SW I 1628 1704 End of Day Rubafu Bay
25/2/07 81 DH SW I 0642 0719
82 TI NW I 0720 0840
83 TC NW C 0840 1002
84 CTD 11 NW C 1005 1010 South of Lujabwa Island
85 DR 11 NW C 1010 1025
86 NB 11 NW C 1030 1101
39
No. t
87 DR NW C 1105 1128 Warp broke and took time to retrieve
the net
88 DH NW C 1129 1144
89 TC NW C 1144 1303
90 TI NW I 1303 1345
91 CTD 12 NW I 1348 1352 Bunyanga Bay
92 NB 12 NW I 1403 1430
93 DH NW I 1442 1455
94 TI NW I 1455 1643 End of Day Nakatiba landing site
26/2/07 95 DH NW SI 0639 0709
96 TI NW SI 0709 0824
97 DH NW SI 0824 0830
98 TI NW SI 0830 0904
99 CTD 13 NW SI 0908 0913 South West Bukassa Island
100 NB 13 NW SI 0920 0950
101 TI NW SI 1006 1219
102 DH NW C 1220 1325
103 TC NW C 1327 1553
104 CTD 14 NW C 1558 1603
105 DR NW C 1603 1620
106 DH NW C 1622 End of the day- Mpata Bay
27/2/07 107 DH NW C 0618 0624
108 TC NW C 0624 0730
109 TD NW D 0730 1048
110 DH NW D 1050 1216
111 CTD 15 NW D 1221 1226
112 DR 15 NW D 1226 1241 Changed computers
113 TD NW D 1249 1701
114 TC NW C 1701 1818
115 DH NW C 1819 1837 End of Day Kome Island
28/2/07 116 DH NW C 0637 0658
40
No. t
117 TC NW C 0700 0838
118 DH NW C 0839 0859
119 TI NW I 0859 1017 Water hyacinth and Algal bloom in
Lutoboka Channel
120 CTD 16 NW I 1019 1025 Lutoboka Channel
121 DR 16 NW I 1025 1040
122 NB 16 NW I 1047 1119
123 DH NW I 1129 1149
124 TI NW I 1150 1224
125 CTD 17 NW I 1226 1230
126 DR 17 NW I 1231 1246
127 NB 17 NW I 1252 1319
128 DH NW I 1330 1342
129 TI NW I 1344 1526
130 TI NW I 1527 1626
131 DH NW I 1627 1648
1/3/07 132 DH NW I 0638 0705 End of the day Entebbe pier
133 TI NW I 0706 0748 Stopped to check computer
134 TI NW I 0750 0754
135 TI NW I 0755 0837
136 TI NW I 0837 0902
137 CTD 18 NW I 0902 0911 Murchison Bay
138 NB 18 NW I 0916 0945
139 DH NW I 0954 1000
140 TI NW I 1000 1026 A lot of water hyacinth out of
Murchison Bay
141 TI NW I 1026 1146
142 TI NW I 1146 1226
143 TI NW I 1226 1328
144 TI NE I 1329 1546
145 CTD NE I 1546 1553 Napoleon Gulf
41
No. t
146 NB NE I 1558 1618
147 DH NE I 1640 1702 End of the day Jinja pier
3/3/07 148 TI NE I 0710 0746
149 DH NE I 0746 0843
150 TI NE I 0844 0913 Algal bloom east of Buvuma island
151 DH NE C 1009 1102
152 TC NW C 1102 1236 ‘mountain in water at 0o3.610S,
33o06.32E
153 DH NE C 1236 1330
154 TC NE C 1330 1507 Strong stratification, fish traces in
surface layers
155 CTD 20 NE C 1508 1515
156 DR 20 NE C 1515 1530
157 DH NE C 1532 1622 End of the day Kojja Bay
4/3/07 158 DH NE I 0631 0711
159 TI NE I 0711 0800
160 CTD 21 NE I 0802 0807
161 DR 21 NE I 0807 0822
162 NB 21 NE I 0830 0930
163 DH NE I 0912 0945
164 TI NE I 0945 1049
165 CTD 22 NE I 1052 1057
166 DR 22 NE I 1057 1112
167 NB 22 NE I 1125 1155 Vumba island
168 DH NE C 1203 1226
169 TC NE C 1226 1315 Stopped, problem with water pipe
170 DR NE C 1316 1455 Engine off no GPS reading for DR
171 TC NE C 1457 1535
172 DH NE C 1537 1708 End of Day-Gorofa Lolui Island
5/3/07 173 DH NE C 0535 0550 No GPS reading up to 0604 because
of heavy clouds cover. Stopped due to
42
No. t
engine problem
174 DR NE C 0550 0608
175 DH NE C 0608 0634 Stopped fan belt broke, later fixed
DH NE C 0645 0708 Continue with DH 175. Stopped fan
belt broke again, spare used but of
smaller size
176 DR NE C 0708 0825
177 TC NE C 0827 0937 Changed course; Left for Usenge
landing site, Kenya to replace fan belt.
178 CTD 23 NE C 0939 0949
179 DH NE C 0951 1007
180 TI NE I 1007 1030 Stopped for engine check
TI NE I 1042 1122 Continue with TI 180. End of Day
Usenge landing site
6/3/07 181 TI NE I 0638 0702
182 TI NE I 0703 0735
183 TC NE C 0736 0810
184 DH NE C 0811 0913
185 TC NE C 0913 1015
186 TI NE I 1015 1051
187 TI NE I 1051 1126
188 CTD 24 NE I 1128 1134 Berkely Bay
189 DR 24 NE I 1134 1149
190 NB 24 NE I 1155 1225
191 DH NE I 1233 1344
192 CTD 25 NE I 1346 1351 South of Sigulu Island
193 NB 25 NE I 1357 1425
194 TI NE I 1435 1508
195 DH NE I 1508 1535
196 TI NE I 1535 1616
197 TC NE C 1617 1711
43
No. t
198 DH NE C 1711 1753 End of Day-Gorofa Lolui Island
7/3/07 199 DH NE D 0532 0644
200 TD NE D 0645 1038
201 CTD 26 NE D 1043 1050
202 DR 26 NE D 1050 1111
203 DH NE D 1113 1228
204 TD NE D 1230 1530 Fan belt broke
205 CTD 27 NE D 1535 1542
206 DR 27 NE D 1542 1705
207 TD NE D 1707 1730
208 TC NE C 1733 1904
209 DH NE C 1904 1920 End of Day Mfangano Island
8/3/07 210 TI NE I 0640 0739
211 DH NE I 0739 0815
212 TI NE I 0815 0846
213 DH NE NG 0846 0915
214 DH NE NG 0915 0922
DH NE NG 0923 0929
215 CTD 28 NE NG 0930 0936
216 NB 28 NE NG 0945 1015
217 TI NE NG 1028 1127
218 DH NE NG 1127 1145
219 TI NE NG 1145 1257
220 CTD 29 NE NG 1300 1305
221 NB 29 NE NG 1310 1340
222 TI NE NG 1348 1434
223 TI NE NG 1435 1507
224 DH NE I 1507 1544
225 DH NE I 1545 1622
226 TI NE I 1623 1710 End day at Sindo
9/3/07 227 DH NE I 0639 0654
44
No. t
228 TI NE I 0655 0746
229 TC NE C 0746 0854
230 CTD 30 NE C 0857 0905
231 DR 30 NE C 0905 0921 Pelagic net got stuck in the radar
232 DH NE C 1000 1036
233 TC NE C 1037 1151
234 TI NE I 1151 1230
235 CTD 31 NE I 1231 1241
236 NB 31 NE I 1257 1325
237 DH NE I 1335 1338
238 TI NE I 1338 1424
239 TC NE C 1424 1514
240 DH SE C 1514 1604
241 TC SE C 1604 1635
242 TI SE I 1635 1713
243 TI SE I 1713 1808
245 DH SE I 1808 1817 End of day at Shirati
10/3/07 246 DH SE I 0529 0649
247 TD SE D 0649 1024
248 DH SE D 1025 1203
249 TD SE D 1203 1538
250 TC SE C 1538 1626
251 TI SE I 1626 1702
252 CTD 32 SE I 1703 1708 A lot of dead fish observed floating
253 DH SE I 1709 1720
12/3/07 254 DH SE I 1049 1111 From Mara bay
255 DH SE I 1111 1209
256 DH SE I 1209 1238
257 TI SE I 1238 1315
258 TI SE I 1316 1419 Morova Island
259 TI SE I 1420 1503 Yegowa Island
45
No. t
260 DH SE C 1504 1543
261 TC SE C 1544 1715
262 CTD 33 SE I 1717 1721 Sina Island
263 DR 33 SE I 1722 1736
264 NB 33 SE I 1744 1808
264 TI SE I 1821 1858 Burungu
13/3/07 265 TI SE I 0619 0659
266 CTD 34 SE I 0702 0707
267 DR 34 SE I 0707 0722
268 NB 34 SE I 0729 0759
269 TI SE I 0810 0837
270 TC SE C 0838 0957
271 TD SE D 0957 1117
272 CTD 35 SE D 1120 1125
273 DR 35 SE D 1126 1142
274 DH SE D 1143 1243
275 TD SE D 1243 1400
276 TC SE C 1400 1505
277 DH SE C 1505 1555 Ukara
14/3/07 278 DH SE I 0631 0647
279 TC SE C 0648 0805
280 DH SE D 0805 0921 Switched off computer at 8.17
281 CTD 36 SE D 0922 0929 A lot
282 DR 36 SE D 0929 0946
283 NP 36 SE D 1021 1052
284 TD Sw D 1111 1242
285 DH SE C 1242 1318
286 TC SE C 1318 1449
287 CTD 37 SE I 1452 1458
288 DR 37 SE I 1459 1515
289 NB 37 SE I 1525 1555
46
No. t
290 DH SE I 1610 1721
15/3/07 291 DH SE I 0629 0642 Left Nansio
292 TI SE SG 0642 0756
293 DH SG SG 0756 0916
294 TI SG SG 0916 1027
295 DH SG SG 1027 1131
296 TI SG SG 1131 1231
297 DH SG SG 1231 1303
298 CTD 38 SG SG 1305 1309
299 DR 38 SG SG 1309 1324
300 NB 38 SG SG 1330 1400
301 DH SG SG 1413 1425
302 TI SG SG 1425 1507
303 DH SG SG 1508 1557
304 TI SG SG 1558 1626 End of survey
47
APPENDIX II: Equipment and Personnel
(a) Equipment
Vessel- MV Victoria Explorer
Year of build: 1997
Port of register: Mwanza Registered No. MZA1107
Length Overall: 16,70m
Width: 5,50m
Draft: 2,20m
Main Engine: DKVD 1160M Model: DAF155
Engine Make Spec: H83145
Engine power: B.H.P. 215 HP @ RPM 2200
Global Satellite telephone: Thrane & Thrane
Inverter DC/AC: Tamaka 12V DC/ 220V AC
VHF: Type: Sailor RT 2048.
Radar equipment: Type: Furuno RDP 077 Ser. 2319-5997
Sounding equipment: Type: Furuno Model FCV 663
Trawling winch: Hydraulic Type Danffos-1100
G.P.S. Garmin (II plus) and Garmin (III plus)
Acoustic equipment
Transceiver TAFIRI/MZA/02
Transducer ES 120-7
Laptop computer Toshiba and IBM Laptop
Printer Hp business inkjet 1100
Fishing gears: Bottom trawl and a pelagic trawl fitted with a Furuno netsounder
Equipment for measuring environmental parameters: Sea bird
(b) Personnel
Officers and Crew MV Explorer
Raphael Mamelela (Skipper)

Harith Kalima (Engineer)
Edwin Sombe (Crew)
Simeo Kawawa (Crew)
Isack Mwambulo (Crew)
Dustan Mpangala (Crew)
Mzee Yusufu Sarungi (Crew)
Scientific Team
Albert Getabu (KMFRI Kenya)
Sitoki Lewis (KMFRI Kenya)
Ephraim J Odada (KMFRI Kenya)
Charles Ezekiel (TAFIRI Tanzania)
Robert Kayanda (TAFIRI Tanzania)
Uhuru Wabeya (TAFIRI Tanzania)
Rhoda Tumwebaze (DFR Uganda)
Taabu A Munyaho (FIRRI Uganda
Appendix III. Echosounder Operational settings
Menu Feature Setting
Operation Ping 0.5 sec
Display Menu Echogram speed 1:2
Echogram ON
Echogram Range 100
Range start 1
Presentation Contour
Sv Colour Min -65 dB
Display/Printer TS Colour Min -70 dB
Sv Colour Min -65 dB
Printer Echogram speed 1:2
Echogram Slave
Integration Tables ON
Transceiver Transducer depth 0m
Absorption Coeff 3 dB/km
Pulse length Med (0.3)
Bandwidth Wide
Max Power 63 W
2-way beam angle -18.3 dB
Sv Trans Gain 23.33 dB
TS Trans Gain 23.43 dB
Angle sensitivity Along 17
Angle sensitivity Athw 17
3dB angle alongships 9.2
3dB angle athwartships 9.3
Offset Alongships 0.0
Offset Athwartships 0.0
Bottom Detection Minimum 3m
Log Time interval 360 sec
Layer Super Layer 1
Layer 1 3 +97 =100
Layer 2 3 +7 = 10
Layer 3 10+5=15
Layer 4 15+5=20
Layer 5 20+10=30
Layer 6 30+10=40
Layer 7 40+10=50
Layer 8 50+50=100
Layer 9 Bottom +4.5
Layer 10 Bottom +4.8
Disk/Telegram Sample Range 200m
Status OFF
Parameter OFF
Annotation ON
Navigation ON
Depth OFF
Echogram ON
Echo-trace ON
Sv OFF
Sample Angle ON
Sample Power ON
Sample Sv OFF
Sample TS OFF
Vessel Log ON
Layer OFF
Integrator OFF
TS Distribution OFF
Disk/Echogram Range 150
Range start 0
Auto range OFF
Bottom range 25
Bottom range start 25
No of Main values 700
No of Bottom values 200
TVG 20 Log R
TS Detection Min TS -50
Min Echo 0.8
Max Echo 1.8
Max Gain 6 dB
Max Phase 2.0
Appendix IV. Settings in Echoview used during February - March 2007 Survey
analysis
Menu Screen Tab Parameter Logging Processing

Angular Position (B1) Calibration Minor axis angle 17
sensitivity
Major axis angle 17
sensitivity
Offset Major 0
Offset Minor 0
Sv W1 (Power) Calibration Absorption Coeff (dB/m) 0.0027
Sound speed (m/s) 1497
Transmit Power (W) 63
TWBA (dB rel 1 -18.3
Steradian)
Sv Gain (dB) 23.16
Wavelength (m) 0.0125
Pulse duration (ms) 0.3
Frequency (kHz) 120
Bandwidth Wide
Sv Q1 Calibration Absorption Coefficient 0.003 0.0027
Sound velocity 1500 1497
TWBA -18.3 -18.3
Sv Gain 19.71 23.16
Pulse length 0.3 0.3
Frequency (kHz) 120
Menu Screen Tab Parameter Logging Processing
Draft (m) 0
TS W1 Power Calibration Absorption Coefficient 0.0027
Sound speed 1497
Power 63
TS Gain 23.15
Wavelength 0.0125
Pulse duration 0.3
Frequencey 120
Variables + Geometry Transducer Major axis 3 dB 9.1
Single targets method Calibration Single targets method Calibration Single targets
(1) (1) method (1)
Single targets method Calibration Sound speed 1497
(1)
Pulse duration 0.3
TWBA -18.3
ST Thickness Detected at
PLDL
ST TS Threshold -50
Detection
PLDL 6
Min Normalised 0.8
Max Normalised 1.5
Beam Comp Simrad Lobe
Max Compensation 6
Max SD Minor axis 0.6
Max SD Major axis 0.6
Appendix V: Limnological observations
SUMMARY
Hydroacoustic surveys aim at generation of information on stock abundances of

commercially important fish species of Lake Victoria, and limnological studies
have been integrated into hydroacoustic surveys to assess physical, chemical
and biological variables and how they influence fisheries production. A
submersible Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profiling system (CTD, Sea-bird
Electronics, Sea Cat SBE 19) was used to collect most of the physical,
chemical and biological parameters.
Stratification was observed in four stations in the North Eastern quadrant of the
lake with a drop in temperature of 3 oC between surface and bottom waters. All
other variables, dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll-a and conducutivity showed
drops along the thermocline as a result of the stratification. Areas around Bugaia
Island, Nyango Bay and off Mfangano Island were found to have anoxic waters at
the bottom with DO falling below 3 mg/l, the critical minimum for fish survival.
However, the rest of the stations, mostly within the inshore areas had optimum
DO levels for fish survival in the water column.
In the North Western quadrant stratification was not as distinct as in the NE

quandrant, only two stations were found to be stratified, i.e. Duweru and
Napoleon Gulf. Much of the water column was well oxygenated with surface DO
ranging fro 6 mg/l to 11 mg/l. Supersaturation was observed at Lujabwa in the
entire water column.
South Eastern quadrant constitutes the deeper part of the lake, mean depth 36 ±
8.4 m. As a result of the greater depth, severe stratification was observed at a
half of all sampled stations. Temperature variation between surface and bottom
waters in the stratified stations was about 3 oC. Though many stations in the
South Western quadrant are almost as deep as in the SE quadrant, only few
were weakly stratified i.e. off Ikuza and Maisome Islands. As opposed to many
other deep water stations that were stratified, most stations were well mixed and
well oxygenated throughout the water column.
.
Limnological status of Emin Pasha showed the area to be well mixed and
oxygenated. Similarly, primary production was nearly uniform throughout the
water column at approximately 20 µg/l. Areas around Sese Islands depicted
similar conditions as Emini Pasha with a good distribution of DO in the water
coulumn. In the Nyanza Gulf waters were murky and most turbid with the lowest
Secchi disk readings in the entire lake of 0.45 m. Areas around Speke Gulf had
minimum variations (less than one unit) between surface and bottom of both
temperature and DO in the water column.
During this survey, the lake depicted thermal and oxygen stratification in many
stations especially in the deep waters. However, the NW quadrant was well
oxygenated almost throughout the entire water column creating a bigger habitat
for fish. High densities of Nile Perch and other fishes were seen in echograms in
this quadrant probably due to the increased DO niche. Low oxygen at the bottom
in the stratified stations has been shown to prevent fish from accessing the
feeding niches.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The main aim of hydroacoustic surveys is the generation of information on stock

abundances of commercially important fish species of Lake Victoria, particularly
Nile perch and Dagaa. Limnological studies have been integrated into
hydroacoustic surveys in Lake Victoria to monitor the status and understand how
physical, chemical and biological processes interact and influence fisheries
production. The physico-chemical environment in the lake determines levels of
production up the food chain.
Limnological conditions of a water body affect the abundance, species

composition, stability, productivity, and physiological condition of indigenous
populations of aquatic organisms (APHA 1985). Thus, the nature and health of
aquatic communities is an expression of the limnological status of water body.
Changes in these water quality variables bring about changes in phytoplankton
and invertebrates communities and consequently affect the quantity and quality
of food items available for fish, thus, affecting fish production. Some, physical-
chemical variables for example, dissolved oxygen concentration directly influence
the distribution of fish.
2.0 OBJECTIVE
• To identify and quantify major physical and chemical variables in Lake

Victoria and relate them to fish distribution and abundance.
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS
A brief description of the sampling sites and map showing their location with
regard to the four quadrants of the lake is given in table1, annex 1 and annex 2.
A submersible Conductivity-Temperature-Depth profiling system (CTD, Sea-bird
Electronics, Sea Cat SBE 19) was used to collect most of the physical,
chemical and biological parameters. The main physical and chemical parameters
measured were; depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and
chlorophyll-a. Measurement of these variables by the CTD in the water column
starts from approximately 0.4 m (surface) and just 1 m above the bed of the lake
(bottom). The CTD was checked for accuracy twice at the start and end of the
sampling cruise using the standard Winkler titration method for determining
dissolved oxygen concentration. In both cases, the results from the CTD and
titration were in agreement.
Secchi depth was measured with a standard Secchi disk of 20 cm diameter, with
quadrants painted in black and white. The Secchi depth was calculated as the
average of the depth at disappearance and that of reappearance of the disk in
water. Sampling stations were randomly selected throughout the entire lake and
marked using a GARMIN Global Positioning System (GPS) (Annex. 1 & 2). Other
information gathered included; time of sampling, weather and station features.
Notes on the occurrence of algal blooms as well as the presence of the water
hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) were made.
Table 1. Sampling stations for limnological studies in various zones in Lake

Victoria, February – March 2007
SW South West Bumbire, Gozibar, Ikuza, Kagya, Kome, Soswa, Iroba,
Maisome, Kunene
NW North West Lujabwa, Bunyaga, Bukassa, Duweru, Murchison,
Lutoboka, Sulsbury, Napoleon
NE North East Kifudwe, Bugaia, Vumba, Kamongwe, Mfang’ano,
Migingo, Nyango, Karungu, Berkeley
SE South East Sina, Mara, Kamasi, Wiru, Ukara, Ushengere, Sizu
EP Emini Pasha Emini Pasha
SI Sesse Islands Bukaba Island
NG Nyanza Gulf Sukru, Uyoma
SG Speke Gulf Nasa
4.0 RESULTS
4.1 North Eastern (NE) Quadrant

Table 2. Mean surface temperature (Temp.), dissolved oxygen (DO) chlorophyll-
a (Chloro-a) conductivity (Cond.), Secchi disk (Secchi) and total depth in the four
quadrants of Lake Victoria, February 2007
Strata Temp DO Chloro-a Cond. Secchi Total

(ºC) (mg/l) (µg/l) (µS/cm) (M) Depth (M)
NE (12) 26.9 ± 0.26 6.6 ± 0.55 8.3 ± 2.39 107.1 ± 5.48 1.9 ± 0.39 33.2 ± 6.16
NW (9) 26.4 ± 0.23 7.2 ± 0.53 11.5 ± 3.48 99.3 ± 3.65 2.5 ± 0.44 26.8 ± 6.93
SE (7) 26.5 ± 0.24 6.9 ± 0.34 15.2 ± 3.57 104.8 ± 4.34 1.8 ± 0.24 36.0 ± 8.4
SW (10) 26.2 ± 0.22 7.8 ± 0.27 6.4 ± 2.59 103.7 ± 1.52 2.6 ± 0.4 39.4 ± 6.67
Overall (38) 26.5 ± 3.40 7.1 ± 0.24 9.8 ± 1.49 103.9 ± 2.11 2.2 ± 0.20 33.8 ± 3.40
Stratification was observed in many deep water and a few coastal water stations
in this quadrant. However, there was a small variation in surface temperature
between stations with a mean of 26.9 oC ± 0.26 (Table 2). All other variables,
dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll-a and conducutivity showed drops along the
thermocline as a result of the stratification. Areas around Bugaia Island, Nyango
Bay and off Mfangano Island were found to have anoxic waters at the bottom
with DO falling below 3 mg/l, the critical minimum for fish survival (Fig 2).
However, the rest of the stations, mostly within the inshore areas had optimum
DO levels for fish survival in the water column. Surface DO fluctuated between
5.7 mg/l and 10.9 mg/l. There was only one station that was supersaturated with
oxygen beyond 9 mg/l in entire water column, i.e. Karungu (Fig. 2) Some
stations e.g. Bugaia were found to have two distinct thermoclines (Fig 1). The
mean depth in this quadrant was 33 ± 6.2 m, while primary production was 8.2 ±
2.4 µg/l.
4.2 North Western (NW) Quadrant
Stratification in this quadrant was not as distinct as in the NE quandrant, only two
stations were found to be stratified, i.e. Duweru and Napoleon Gulf while the rest
were well mixed. The mean surface temperature was 26.4 ± 0.23 (Table 2).
Much of the water column was well oxygenated with surface DO ranging from 6
mg/l to 11 mg/l (Fig 2). Supersaturation was observed at Lujabwa in the entire
water column. The total depth in the quadrant ranged from 8 m to 65 m with a
mean of 27 ± 6.9 m. Primary production in the quadrant was relatively high
(average surface chlorophyll-a was 12 ± 3.5 µg/l) as compared to the NE
quadrant (average surface chlorophyll-a 9 ± 2.4 µg/l).
Oxygen (mg/L) Chlorophyll (ug/L) Temperature (Deg C)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0
1st thermocline
10
Oxygen
Depth (m)
20
30
2nd thermocline Temperature
40
Chlorophyll-a Conductivity
90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110

Conductivity (uS/cm)
Fig. 1 Stratification at Bugaia (NW, sampling time 03.10 pm) as depicted by

Oxygen, Chlorophyll-a, Temperature and conductivity profiles with two
thermoclines, the 1st at approximately 8 m and the 2nd at around 28 m.
4.3 South Eastern (SE) Quadrant
The deepest point in the lake was recorded off Ukara Island which is in the
quadrant. Generally, the SE quadrant constitute the deeper part of the lake,
mean depth 36 ± 8.4 m. As a result of the greater depth, severe stratification was
observed at a half of all sampled stations. Temperature variation between
surface and bottom waters in the stratified stations was about 3 oC. The mean
surface temperature was 26.5 ± 0.24 oC. A big portion of the hypolimnion was
deoxygenated with a mean bottom DO of 3.6 ± 0.62 mg/l (Table 2) while average
surface chlorophyll-a was 15 ± 3.6 µg/l (Fig 3a & b).
14
12 Surface
Bottom
10
8
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l)
Maisome
Migingo
Kamasi
Bukassa
Napoleon
Ukara
Sina
Wiru
Kome
Bugaia
Ikuza
Salsbury
Karungu
Vumba
Nyango
Ushengere
Kunene
Iroba
Godzbar
Mfangano
Lujabwa
Duweru
Soswa
NE NW SE SW
Fig. 2: Variation in dissolved oxygen concentrations in both surface and bottom

waters in various stations in Lake Victoria, February 2007. The blue (top) line is
the point beyond which there is supersaturation, the dotted red (middle) line is
the point below which fish begin to be stressed and the continuous red (lower)
line the point below which fish mortality begin to occur.
4.4 South Western (SW) Quadrant

Though many stations in this quadrant are almost as deep as in the SE quadrant,
only few were weakly stratified i.e. off Ikuza and Maisome Islands. The deepest
point (68 m) was at Gozibar, while mean depth for the quadrant was 39 ± 6.7 m.
As opposed to many other deep water stations that were stratified, Gozibar and
Iroba (total depth 57 m) were well mixed and supersaturated with oxygen. Other
stations in the quadrant including off Bumbire, Kagya and Kome Islands were
well oxygenated throughout the water column with optimal DO levels for fish
survival. Mean surface DO was 7.8 ± 0.27 mg/l while temperature was 26.2 ±
0.22 oC and average surface chlorophyll-a 6.4 ± 2.6 µg/l (Table 2).
.
4.5 Selected Gulfs and bays

Four areas are classified in this category due to their enclosed nature. These are:
Emini Pasha, Sesse Islands, Nyanza Gulf and Speke Gulf. Limnological status of
Emin Pasha area showed the area to be well mixed and oxygenated. DO was
optimal (7 mg/l) for survival of fish and temperature was nearly uniform at 25.5 oC
at the surface to 25.2 oC at the bottom (depth 11 m). Similarly, primary production
was nearly uniform throughout the water column at approximately 20 µg/l (Table
3). Areas around Sese Islands, for example Bukaba Island depicted similar
conditions as Emini Pasha with a good distribution of DO in the water coulumn.
Surface and bottom DO differed by less than 0.5 mg/l, while temperature drop
from surface to bottom (total depth 30 m) was less than 1 oC.
Plate 1
Plate 2
Plates 1 and 2. Illustrates the limnological conditions of Nyanza Gulf, plate 1

depicts the murky nature of the water and infestation by water hyacinth and plate
2, extensive massive algal blooms
There were two stations sampled in the Nyanza Gulf: Sukru and Uyoma. The
Nyanza Gulf is generally shallow with depth at Sukru 9 m and Uyoma which is
towards Rusinga channel 19 m. The gulf has murky turbid waters with the lowest
Secchi disk readings in the entire lake of 0.45 m. Most of the gulf is covered with
extensive mats of algal blooms and many bays covered with water hyacinth
(Plates 1 & 2). Due to the high light attenuation, particularly at Sukru,
temperature drop between surface and bottom waters was high, nearly 3 oC
difference. There was, however, hardly any drop in temperature at Uyoma, less
than 0.2 oC. Distribution of DO in the water column was nearly constant in both
stations, 6 mg/l. Primary production at Uyoma was below the detection limit of
the CTD profiler whereas it was 9 µg/l at Sukru (Table 3).
Nasa, a station within Speke Gulf had a depth of 12 m and minimum variations
(less than one unit) between surface and bottom of both temperature and DO in
the water column. DO levels was 5.6 mg/l which is considerably low for fisheries
production. Fish, particularly Nile perch begin to be stressed when DO goes
below 5 mg/l. Average water temperature was 26 oC while the average for
chlorophyll-a was 12 µg/l.
Table 3. Mean surface temperature (Temp.), dissolved oxygen (DO) chlorophyll-

a (Chloro-a) conductivity (Cond.) and Secchi disk (Secchi) of the various water
strata of Lake Victoria, February 2007
Strata Temp. (ºC) DO (mg/l) Chloro-a (µg/l) Cond.(µS/cm) Secchi (M)
Deep (8) 25.9 ± 0.16 6.4 ± 0.58 2.7 ± 1.34 97.7 ± 3.35 3.7 ± 0.34
Coastal (7) 26.3 ± 0.25 7.7 ± 0.64 3.3 ± 1.45 101.9 ± 0.86 2.9 ± 0.45
Inshore (17) 26.9 ± 0.15 7.6 ± 0.32 15.2 ± 2.23 105.9 ± 1.67 1.6 ± 0.09
Emin Persha (1) 25.53 7.8 22.1 101.8 1.2
Sesse Is. (2) 26.0 ± 0.10 6.6 ± 0.20 13.9 ± 8.52 86.2 ± 14.78 2.1 ± 0.85
Nyanza Gulf (2) 27.1 ± 10 5.7 ± 0.01 4.8 ± 4.85 134.4 ± 25.46 0.5 ± 0.05
Speke Gulf (1) 26.9 5.8 11.5 118 0.9
Fig 3a and b. Depicts the primary production levels measured as chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen at the surface (DO)
and bottom waters (DOb), in different parts of Lake Victoria, February – March 2007. Oxygen stratification in the SE
quadrant can clearly be seen as there is a big difference between surface and bottom waters. Surface values were
measured at approximately 0.5 m and bottom measured approximately 1 m above the lake bed.
Fig 4a and b. Depicts the conductivity levels and Secchi disk values at the surface in different parts of Lake Victoria,
February – March 2007. Surface values were measured at approximately 0.5 m and bottom measure approximately 1 m
above the lake bed.
4.6 Water strata
Deep Stratum
Absolute depth in all the deep water stations was over 60 m except for Iroba with
a depth of 57 m. Mean depth in the strata was 64 ± 1.5 m. All deep water stations
sampled were stratified in all the 4 quadrants except for Iroba and Gozibar where
waters were well mixed. Mean surface temperature was 25.9 ± 0.16 oC whereas
DO was 6.4 ± 0.58 mg/l. Primary production in the surface waters was quite low
ranging from 0 – 9 µg/l with a mean of 2.7 µg/l. Light penetration into the water
column was highest as depicted by a mean Secchi disk reading of 3.7 ± 0.34 m
(Fig 4b). Conductivity reading was lowest in the strata with an average of 97.7 ±
3.34 µScm-1 (Table 2, Fig 4a &b).
Costal stratum
The coastal strata comprised stations whose depth ranged from 33 m to 58 m

with a mean 47 ± 3.6 m. Some of the coastal stations like Bugaia, Kunene and
Soswa were stratified (Fig. 3) while the rest were well mixed. Mean surface
temperature was 26.3 ± 0.25 oC whereas DO was 7.7 ± 0.63. Primary production
was slightly higher than in the deep water strata with a mean of chlorophyll-a 3.2
± 1.45 µg/l (Fig 3a). Increase in conductivity values was noted to increase from
the deep stations to the coastal ones. Mean conductivity for the strata was 101 ±
0.9 µScm-1. Similarly, there was an increase in light attenuation with average
Secchi of 2.9 ± 0.45 m (Table 3).
Inshore stratum
Some inshore stations were shallow, 8 m while others were quite deep with the
deepest of 29 m. All inshore stations were well oxygenated; average surface DO
was 7.6 ± 0.32 m. Light attenuation was highest in most inshore stations with
mean Secchi depth of 1.6 ± 0.09 m. Subsequently, temperature variation
between surface and bottom waters varied greately with a change of close to 3
o
C, (mean surface temperature 26.9 ± 0.15 oC). Algal blooms were observed in
many of the areas e.g. Karungu, Napoleon Gulf, Berkeley Bay, Ikuza, Bumbire,
Bunyaga, Sulsbury and Murchison Bay. Average surface chlorophyll-a was 15 ±
2.2 µg/l while conductivity was 105 ± 1.7 µScm-1 (Table 3).
5.0. DISCUSSION
There are two distinct seasons over Lake Victoria, the dry season (December –
February) coinciding with thermal and oxygen stratification, and cool season
(June – August), deep mixing which commences shortly after the wet season
(Talling 1966, Hecky et al. 1994, Mugidde, 2001). Incidences of stratification
were evident in all the quadrants with most severe at the SE. During last years’
survey in February 2006, stratification was observed only in the NW quadrant
while other areas had weak or no stratification at all.
During this survey, all the quadrants depicted thermal and oxygen stratification.
Talling (1966) reported that a small change in temperature can cause
stratification in tropical regions. Most of the stratified stations showed a
temperature drop between surface and bottom waters. However, the NW
quadrant was well oxygenated almost throughout the entire water column
creating a bigger habitat for fish. High densities of Nile Perch and other fishes
were seen in the echogram in this quadrant (Main report, Table 3.1, Fig 4)
probably due to the increased DO niche. The low oxygen at the bottom in the
stratified stations prevents fish from accessing the feeding niches. Kaufman
(1992) indicated that Nile perch Lates niloticus cannot tolerate dissolved oxygen
less than 5 mg/l.
There was high primary production in many inshore and coastal areas while the
deep water stations had minimal values. High primary production is important in
fisheries as algae constitute the main diet of many pelagic and benthic
organisms, and several microalgae species are frequently encountered in the
food items of detritivorous and phytoplanktovorous haplochromine cichlids and
tilapiines cichlid fishes of Lake Victoria (Macdonald 1956, Greenwood 1966,
Ogari 1988; Witte et al. 1995). The dependence of all juvenile fish (including Nile
Perch) on zooplankton diet has been shown by many researchers in Lake
Victoria (Ochumba and Manyala, 1992, Getabu 2004, Ogari 1988).
As a result of low light penetration into the water in many inshore areas in
particular, Nyanza Gulf coupled with increase in eutrophication may contribute to
low fish densities in this area as fish require good light conditions for visual
recognition during mating, identification of food items and territorial defence.
Seehausen et al. (1997a) associated the high light attenuation in many inshore
areas to loss of pure breeds of many fish stocks and subsequent loss of species
diversity. Therefore, increased sediments loads from rivers and soil erosion from
farm-lands coupled with high algal biomass have direct effects on the fish habitat
as well as fish production in many inshore stations.
References
1. Kaufman L. (1992). Catastrophic change in species-rich freshwater

ecosystems: the lessons of Lake Victoria. Bioscience 42: 846-858.
2. Witte F., Hongerboezem W., Goldschimidt T., Westbrock I. 1995. Major
food types of the fish species in Lake Victoria. In Witte, F. and Van
Densen, L.T. (eds). Fish Stocks and Fisheries of Lake Victoria. Samara
London, 337-347.
3. Mugidde R. (2001) Nutrient status and planktonic nitrogen fixation in Lake
Victoria, Africa. Ph.D. Thesis, 196pp. University of Waterloo, Ontario,
Canada.
4. Seehausen O.; van Alphen J. J. M. & Witte F. (1997a) Cichlid fish diversity
threatened by eutrophication that curbs sexual selection. Science 277:
1808-1811.
5. Ogari J. 1988. The food of the Nile Perch Lates niloticus (L.) after the
disappearance of haplochromine cichlids in Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria.
J. Fish Biol. 32: 571-577.
6. Ochumba, P. B. 0. & 1. 0. Manyala 1992. Distribution of fishes along the
Sondu-Miriu river of Lake Victoria with special reference to upstream
migration, biology and yield. journal of Aquaculture and Fisheries
Management 23: 701 - 719.
7. Hecky R. E.; Bugenyi F. W. B.; Ochumba P. B. O.; Talling F. J.; Mugidde
R., Gophen M. & Kaufman L. 1994 Deoxygenation of deep water of Lake
Victoria, East Africa. Limnol. Oceanogr. 39(6): 1476-1481
Annex 1. Strata, quadrant, event numbers (CTD) sampled station
names, time of sampling and GPS locations, February –
March 2007
Strata Quadrant CTD Station name Time Longitude Latitude
0
Deep NE 201 MIDLAKE/ OFF MIGI 1040 00 45.742S 0330 17.870E
NE 205 WEST MUFANGANO 1540 000 28.458S 0330 45.044E
0
NE 230 OFF NYANGO BAY 0900 00 40.431S 0330 51.461E
NW 111 OFF DUWERU 1220 000 50.135S 0330 06.555E
0
SE 272 OFF UKARA 1120 01 29.867 0330 07.795E
SE 281 OFF KAMASI 0925 010 46.525S 0320 38.616E
SW 47 OFF IROBA 1030 01 52.167S 0320 15.198E
SW 54 OFF GODSIBA IS 1200 010 12.131S 0320 53.017E
Coastal NE 155 SOUTH EAST BUGATA 1510 000 00.153N 0330 20.384E
0
NE 177 KAMOGWE 0943 00 11.555S 0330 53.792E
NW 84 LUJABWA(UG) 1005 000 45.440S 0320 09.628E
0
NW 104 BUKASA ISL. 1600 00 29.342S 0320 33.444E
SW 5 SW OFF KUNENE IS 1300 020 05.796S 0320 35.895E
0
SW 16 OFF SOSWA 0955 01 57.993S 0320 18.108E
SW 74 KAGYAPT 1125 010 04.982S 0320 17.266E
0
Inshore NE 160 KIFUDWE POINT 0805 00 09.816N 0330 22.578E
NE 165 VUMBAISL 1050 000 01.539N 0330 34.241E
0
NE 188 BARKELEY BAY 1130 00 09.286N 0330 56.209E
NE 192 SIGULU SOUTH 1348 000 04.274N 0330 47.337E
0
NE 236 KARUNGU BAY 1233 00 51.230S 0340 07.545E
NW 91 BUNYAGA 1350 000 34.364S 0310 51.744E
0
NW 120 LUTOBOKA CHANNEL 1020 00 16.108S 0320 16.171E
NW 125 SALISBURY CHANNEL 1225 000 10.578S 0320 07.363E
0
NW 137 MWICHSON BAY 0907 00 08.812N 0320 40.310E
NW 145 NAPOLEON GULF 1550 000 23.148N 0330 17.559
0
SE 251 MARA BAY 1705 01 27.819S 0330 47.435E
SE 262 SINA ISL 1720 010 51.472S 0330 15.345E
0
SE 266 USHENGERE 0705 01 59.386S 0330 12.230E
SE 287 WIRU 1450 020 10.743S 0320 52.402E
SW 10 OFF KOME IS 1700 020 24.996S 0320 30.834E
0
SW 21 MAISOME 1300 02 15.221S 0320 06.703E
SW 37 IKUZA CHANNEL 1320 020 05.888S 0310 43.011E
0
SW 64 BUMBILE CHANNEL 1111 01 35.420S 0310 46.135E
Nyanza G. NE 215 UYOMA PT 0930 000 24.066S 0340 19.523E
0
Nyanza G. NE 220 SUKRU ISL 1300 00 25.745S 0340 22.209E
Sesse Is. NW 99 BUKABA IS 0909 000 25.967S 0320 24.152E
0
Speke G. SE 298 NASSA 1300 02 22.525S 0330 28.645E
Emin P. SW 30 EMIN PASHA 0810 020 33.199S 0310 58.239E
Appendix VI: Revised estimates of standing stock of Nile perch from the previous surveys undertaken under IFMP
February-March 2007 Using Emptycells Exports February-March 2007 without Emptycells

Density(t/k Lower Biomass Upper Lower Biomass Upper
Area m2) Limit (t) Limit Density(t/km2) Limit (t) Limit
Stratum
206,61 215,94 225,26 265,02 269,99 274,96

Deep 23367 9.2 6 0 3 11.6 5 3 1
243,26 250,05 256,83 281,99 286,29 290,60
Coastal 21038 11.9 7 1 5 13.6 1 9 7
- - - -
34,57 36,72 38,87 39,43 43,99 48,54
Inshore SW 3181 11.5 1 4 7 13.8 4 1 9
38,61 41,81 45,02 41,67 43,35 45,04
Inshore NW 3115 13.4 2 6 0 13.9 3 7 1
71,91 75,78 79,65 71,11 73,53 75,95
Inshore NE 5729 13.2 8 7 5 12.8 9 5 1
16,93 18,39 19,85 21,80 22,89 23,98
Inshore SE 2003 9.2 7 5 3 11.4 2 2 2
- - - -
19,77 20,83 21,88 17,92 20,58 23,24
Emin Pashia 2022 10.3 8 3 7 10.2 3 5 8
40,67 44,99 49,32 42,99 44,94 46,89
Sesse Is 2494 18.0 0 8 6 18.0 4 5 6
4,85 5,88 6,92 11,37 12,32 13,26
Nyanza Gulf 1335 4.4 1 9 7 9.2 1 0 9
5,18 11,33 17,48 30,46 56,44
Speke Gulf 2909 3.9 2 1 1 10.5 4,472 0 9
682,40 721,76 761,12 797,80 848,37 898,95

Total 67193 3 3 4 2 7 2
August 2006 survey using exports without empty
August 2006 survey using exports with empty cells. cells.
Lower Biomass Upper Biomass

Area Density(t/km2) Limit (t) Limit Density(t/km2) Lower Limit (t) Upper Limit
Stratum
219,62 228,30 236,98 304,03 354,59 405,15

Deep 23367 9.8 2 2 1 15.2 6 6 5
124,21 157,32 190,44 262,25 279,23 296,20
Coastal 21038 7.5 1 7 3 13.3 4 1 9
- - - -
Inshore 25,50 27,66 29,81 45,17 47,65 50,14
SW 3181 8.7 9 0 1 15.0 0 9 8
Inshore 42,32 49,42 56,52 60,16 64,66 69,16
NW 3115 15.9 7 8 9 20.8 8 6 4
74,05 79,47 84,88 97,41 103,05 108,69
Inshore NE 5729 13.9 9 4 8 18.0 5 7 9
19,76 21,86 23,96 26,90 28,28 29,67
Inshore SE 2003 10.9 0 2 4 14.1 6 9 1
- - - -
Emin 10,79 12,08 13,37 11,74 13,32 14,91
Pashia 2022 6.0 4 3 3 6.6 7 9 1
4,86 6,06 7,26 17,94 23,27 28,59
Sesse Is 2494 2.4 4 3 2 9.3 8 3 7
Nyanza 3,00 4,06 5,12 5,57 6,00
Gulf 1335 3.0 9 6 3 4.2 5,131 0 9
12,78 13,66 14,55 14,98 15,84 16,69
Speke Gulf 2909 4.7 0 5 1 5.4 9 4 9
536,93 599,93 662,92 845,76 935,51 1,025,26

Total 67193 6 0 5 5 3 1
February-March 2006 Using Emptycells Exports February-March 2006 without Emptycells
Lower Biomass Upper
Area Density(t/km2) Limit (t) Limit Mean Density Lower CI Biomass Upper CI
Stratum
(t/Km2) (t) (t) (t)
Deep 23,367 9.5 203,923 221,916 239,909 11.87 221,317 277,406 333,495
Coastal 21,038 11.1 223,541 233,589 243,636 13.46 278,504 283,169 287,834
- -
Inshore
SW 3,181 9.3 26,863 29,599 32,334 14.29 41,813 45,446 49,079
Inshore
NW 3,115 9.9 28,532 30,739 32,947 11.7 33,229 36,451 39,674
Inshore NE 5,729 17.3 87,295 99,127 110,959 23.53 108,267 134,829 161,391
Inshore SE 2,003 19.8 32,632 39,679 46,725 24.63 46,626 49,327 52,029
- -
Emin
Pashia 2,022 17.3 25,192 34,920 44,648 17.03 21,303 34,429 47,555
Sesse Is 2,494 7 15,288 17,364 19,441 5.8 3,754 14,474 25,195
Nyanza
Gulf 1,335 5.7 6,553 7,558 8,564 6.37 4,742 8,508 12,275
Speke Gulf 2,909 12.7 34,852 37,031 39,210 8.5 20,950 24,714 28,478
Total 67,193 684,672 751,523 818,373 780,502 908,753 1,037,004
Estimated standing stock on Nile perch from February 2006 survey. (Revised estimates taking care of empty cells)
August 2005 survey using exports without empty
August 2005 survey using exports with empty cells. cells.
Lower Biomass Upper Biomass

Area Density(t/km2) Limit (t) Limit Density(t/km2) Lower Limit (t) Upper Limit
Stratum
Deep 23,367 5.5 120,539 127,712 134,885 5.61 108,692 130,995 153,299
Coastal 21,038 7.7 152,652 162,651 172,650 8.17 137,614 171,823 206,032
- - - -
Inshore
SW 3,181 4.5 13,378 14,327 15,277 5.96 14,828 18,952 23,077
Inshore
NW 3,115 12.4 35,976 38,483 40,990 15.42 43,282 48,027 53,771
Inshore NE 5,729 18.2 95,702 104,148 112,594 21.35 114,023 122,327 130,631
Inshore SE 2,003 15.3 28,620 30,711 32,801 17.4 32,983 34,858 36,732
- - - -
Emin
Pashia 2,022 10.8 20,622 21,932 23,241 10.9 20,370 22,032 23,694
Sesse Is 2,494 5.9 12,204 14,810 17,416 13.3 14,129 33,164 52,198
Nyanza
Gulf 1,335 4 4,333 5,332 6,332 4.16 4,372 5,558 6,745
Speke Gulf 2,909 8.1 21,918 23,631 25,343 9.16 23,907 26,639 29,372
Total 67,193 505,943 543,736 581,529 514,200 614,375 714,551

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Lake Victoria Report Survey of Feb 2007

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Implementation of a fisheries management plan

(IFMP) project for Lake Victoria. EDF PROJECT

Item Type monograph

Publisher Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO)

Download date 19/01/2024 09:22:40

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/32825

IMPLEMENTATION OF A FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN (IFMP) PROJECT

EDF PROJECT NO. 8 ACP ROR 029

REPORT OF THE LAKE-WIDE ACOUSTIC SURVEY

The biomass of Dagaa estimated at 1.25 million tonnes, suggest an increasing

The surveys are conducted biannually to capture the differences in stocks

2.1 Study area

Figure 1: Map of Lake Victoria showing division of four

Organization of the cruise

Cruise track design

Sampling was restricted to daylight hours because previous surveys indicated

Survey transects, including deadheads 8.5 hours (Estimated 76 miles)

a) Transect: an acoustic survey track with the vessel proceeding in the

Deep Transect (Code TD);

2.4 Acoustic equipment

2.6 Acoustic data acquisition, processing and analysis

2.6.1 Cruise tracks covered and sampling intensity

2.6.2 Data logging and storage

The following output telegrams were logged:

C:\SURVEY 2007\DATA\22 FEB or

2.6.3 Acoustic Data Preparation

2.6.4 Setting analysis lines and definition of regions

In Echoview, a time grid was set at ¼ of a minute and exported as comma

2.6.4 Estimation of EDSU

2.6.5 Single Target Analysis

TS = (29.9 × Log (TL)) − 79.3

Total weight = 0.0042 x TL3.26 respectively.

2.6.6 Integration analysis

ABCHaplo = ABC All − ABCDagaa − ABC Nileperch

Sv Nile perch = TS mean + 10 log N Targets – 10 log Beam Vol – 2.3

Where TS = Target strength

Beam vol = Beam volume

and 2.3 an observed difference between corrected and uncorrected values

ABC Nile perch = 10((Sv Nile perch)/10)

Estimation of Standing Stock

Table 2.2: Areas of Lake Surface (km2) within each stratum

Quadrant Deep Coastal Inshore Special localities

South East 6,166 5,786 2,003 2,909 (Speke Gulf)

South West 6,251 6,601 3,181 2,022 (Emini Pasha)

North West 6,226 4,865 3,115 2,494 (Sesse Islands)

North East 4,724 3,786 5,729 1,335 (Nyanza Gulf)

TOTAL 23,367 21,038 14,028 8,760

2.7.1 Collection of Biological Data

2.7.2 Environmental Sampling

Secchi depth was measured using a standard Secchi disk of 20 cm diameter,

3.1 Standing stock of Nile perch by stratum

No of Density Lower Biomass Upper

Deep 23367 10 9.2 206,616 215,940 225,263

Total 67193 682,403 721,763 761,124

3. 2 Spatial distribution of Nile perch

STRATUM Max TS (dB) Max Size (TL cm) Number of targets

Fig 5. Distribution of targets of Nile perch > 10 cm TL by depth

3.5. Haplochromines and others

Table 3.4. Estimated standing stock of Haplochromines and other

No of Density Lower Biomass Upper

Net haul Samples

3.6.1 Nile perch from Net hauls

Fig 6. Length frequency distribution of Nile perch in retained in net hauls on