Environmental policy and administrative management

Conservation of endemic fisheries resources of Lake Albert through enhanced local institutional capacity is a project designed to employ new approaches of collaborative management and conservation of the fisheries biodiversity of Lake Albert. The project was conceived by Uganda Fisheries and Fish Conservation Association (UFFCA) using participatory approaches and is to be implemented with funding from both UNDP/GEF Small Grants Program Uganda and Siemenpuu Foundation of Finland for a period of 24-months/two years (2003 to 2005). The main focus is to involve the local resource users in managing the resource they exploit for their livelihoods through local community based initiative. Lake Albert, which is the third most productive lake in Uganda, contributes about 10% of national commercial fish production and foreign exchange. The fishery of lake Albert is the only remaining multi-species fishery in Uganda where a number of endemic fish species are still being exploited. However, the fishery is experiencing open access policy or entry that has increased human pressure/fishing effort and increasingly depleted the fisheries biodiversity. This is further aggravated by human-induced environmental degradation, which includes the use of illegal and destructive fishing gears and methods, nutrient enrichment that leads to oxygen deficiency (eutrophication) and resulting to periodic mass fish kills on the Lake. This situation threatens the long-term productivity and capacity of the lake to provide for the well-being and livelihoods of the growing population of the lake dependant communities. The project is in conformity with the current Uganda government policy strategy whose focus is to decentralise management of the fisheries through an integrated lake management approach. The main players in this new strategy are the decentralized districts with lieu supplement from the empowered community institution-i.e. Beach Management unit (BMU) to be established country wide as a pinnacle for management and biodiversity conservation at the grassroots level. The pilot sites are on the shores of Lake Albert, in the fishing villages/Landing sites of Butiaba, Bugoigo and Wanseko of Biiso, and Buliisa Sub-counties respectively in Buliisa County- Masindi District. The goal is to contribute to the reduction of poverty and improving on a sustainable basis the livelihoods of fisher folk so as to achieve direct community involvement and participation in decision-making and exercise control over the use of the fisheries biodiversity of lake Albert. In this way, the project should substantially contribute to the overriding GEF focal areas and objectives of UNDP GEF/SGP, which are geared to secure global environmental benefits in the areas of biodiversity conservation, and protection of international waters through and foster improved livelihoods. On the other hand, in the broader context, the project will contribute to :- Increasing the incomes and improving the quality of life of the poor and marginalized communities. Improving household food security and Providing gainful employment. Promoting sustainable use and management of natural resources. Developing local grassroots community institutions for fisheries resources management is the surest way of empowering the fishers to act collectively so as to effectively participate in programs geared towards poverty eradication and sustainable development.

Uganda