Evaluation of USAID technical assistance to the Eaffro Lake Victoria fisheries project

EAFFRO HAS DETERMINED THE EXISTENCE OF OFFSHORE DEMERSAL STOCKS (MAINLY HAPLOCHROMIS) THAT COULD BE EXPLOITED; ANNUAL YIELD HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT 200,000 TONS, OR ABOUT TWICE THE PRESENT HARVEST OF INSHORE WATERS. THE PRESENT CONCERN IS THAT OFFSHORE MECHANIZED FISHING MAY HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS UPON THE HEAVILY EXPLOITED INSHORE STOCKS. EAFFRO'S RESEARCH ACTIVITIES APPEAR TOO AMBITIOUS FOR THE AVAILABLE STAFF, AND IT IS FELT THAT EAFFRO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES IN TIME TO AVOID COMPETITION BETWEEN THE TRADITIONAL INSHORE AND PROPOSED TRAWL FISHERY. THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSAL TRAWL FISHERY HAS NOT BEEN EMPHASIZED SUFFICIENTLY IN THE WORK PLANS OF THE USAID BIOLOGIST. THERE HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION BETWEEN EAFFRO PERSONNEL AT ALL LEVELS AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL, AND THE INFORMATION BEING PRODUCED APPEARS NOT TO BE IN A FORM AND OF A TYPE THAT CAN BE USED READILY BY THE PEOPLE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE FISHERY.