Assessing the Effectiveness of Gear Gestriction on Nile Tilapia Fishery at Kazinga Channel, Rubirizi District
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Date
2025
Authors
Arinaitwe,Erisa
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Busitema University
Abstract
This study assessed the effectiveness of gear restrictions in sustaining Nile Tilapia populations in
Kazinga Channel Katunguru Sub-County, Rubirizi District. Its aimed to evaluate fishers’ compliance with gear restriction policies, their perceptions of the regulations, the impact of these restrictions on fish catch and stock abundance, and the socio-economic consequences for local communities. Data collection involved field surveys, fisher interviews, and participatory focus group discussions. Emphasis was placed on examining the changes in fish stock size structure and abundance following the implementation of mesh size controls, as well as investigating the compliance levels and enforcement challenges faced by regulatory authorities.
The findings revealed that enforcement of minimum mesh size restrictions led to a reduction in the capture of juvenile Nile tilapia, allowing fish to mature and spawn at least once before harvest. This possibly contributed to improved recruitment rates and a positive shift in the size structure of the fish population, consistent with observations in other freshwater fisheries across East Africa. The catch composition shifted towards larger, more marketable fish, which indicated a move towards ecological sustainability and a potential increase in long-term fishery yields.
However, the study also documented short-term economic hardships experienced by fishers as a
result of reduced catches of smaller fish, which historically contributed to household food security and income. These immediate livelihood impacts generated resistance to gear restrictions among some fishers, highlighting the social challenges inherent in fisheries management. Enforcement of gear restrictions was found to be hampered by several factors including weak institutional capacity, limited resources for monitoring and surveillance, and widespread use of illegal fishing gears such as undersized monofilament nets. Beach Management Units (BMUs), intended to facilitate community-led resource governance, exhibited varying degrees of effectiveness, often impaired by a lack of legal support and inadequate community participation. The study underscored that enforcement alone was insufficient without concomitant efforts to address poverty and improve fisher livelihoods.
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Citation
Arinaitwe,Erisa. (2025). Assessing the Effectiveness of Gear Gestriction on Nile Tilapia Fishery at Kazinga Channel, Rubirizi District