Synopsis of the factors

Analysis of the factors that influence the health and productivity of African lakes shows that they have changed and many of them required attention. Here we summarise management options for each influencing factor based on the assessment of the influencing factors.

Control population growth

Most of the areas around African lakes have high human population densities and growth rates, driven primarily by high birth rates. Population growth rates should be moderated through increasing access to family planning and reproductive, maternal and child health services.

Diversify fishery livelihoods

There is over-dependency on wild fish stocks by fishers which makes them vulnerable. This contribute to overexploitation of fisheries. Alternative livelihood options should be developed for fishers to reduce dependency on wild fish stocks.

Improve sanitation and manage water related diseases

Most of the lakeside communities lack clean water and have poor sanitation, and have high incidences of water related diseases which drives them deeper into poverty and reduces their ability to promote sustainable use of resources. Water and sanitation facilities should be improved and water related issues addressed to improve livelihoods.

Conserve aquatic biodiversity

The diversity of aquatic organisms has decreased and changed in many of the lakes. Whereas there a terrestrial reserve around many of the lake, most of the lake lack marine reserves. There is need to identify and conserve critical habitats for aquatic biodiversity and to set up marine protected areas.

Control of fishing capacity

The stocks of many large commercially important fish species of >20cm have declined and some completely collapsed due to high fishing pressure, use of destructive fishing gears and methods. Fishing capacity should be controlled through regulation of gear types, sizes, and numbers, limiting access, setting closed areas and season. The factors that contribute to decline of some and persistence of other fishes should be determined and incorporated in management plans. Efforts should be made to promote recovery of stocks of depleted large sizes fishes.

Manage fish introductions

Introduction of non-native fish species has, despite in some cases, increasing fish production, contributed to depletion of other fishes. Measures should be taken to protect the lakes from introduction of non-native fish species. Restorations should be made only in lakes with an impoverished fish fauna such as was the case in Lake Kivu and manmade lakes like Kariba.

Develop emerging especially small pelagic fishes

Small pelagic species have increased to dominate fish stocks and to contribute most to fishery yield in many of the African lakes amidst multiple stressors. The causes of increase in stocks of small pelagic species should be determined. Species specific management plans should be developed for small pelagic fishes.

Apply best management practices in cage aquaculture

Cage aquaculture is developing fast on many natural and manmade lakes in Africa and has potential to increase fish production and reduce the deficit in fish supply due to declining stocks of wild fish stocks, but has socio-economic and environmental challenges. Cage aquaculture should be practiced using best management practices through involving proper spatial planning, site selection, production and market practices, securing the environment, and appropriate policies.

Control nutrient enrichment - eutrophication

The African lakes have become increasingly enriched with key production nutrients especially phosphorus and nitrogen. This is causing eutrophication and altering the health and productivity of the lakes. Nutrient enrichment is driven by human development activities in the catchment areas and measures should be taken identify and control causes.

Incorporate changes in lake productivity processes in lake management plans

Lake productivity processes including physical and chemical conditions, algal and invertebrate productivity, and fisheries production of many African lakes have changed and proliferation of invasive weeds increased. There is need understand how changes in lake productivity processes influences fisheries production and to factor it in fisheries management plans.

Control invasive weeds

Invasive aquatic weeds including such as water hyacinth have invaded a number of African lakes and rivers especially those experiencing nutrient enrichment. Most of these weeds can be controlled using natural enemies. The proliferation of aquatic weeds should be monitored and the weeds controlled using available methods.

Address impacts of climate

Temperatures in the African region are warming due to human induced climate change. This is affecting aquatic productivity, and shifting aquatic species to those that can adapt to the changed conditions and affecting livelihoods. The impact of climate variability and change on aquatic ecosystems, fisheries and livelihoods should be investigated and adaptation and mitigation measures put in place.

Promote sustainable land management practices

Conversion of land to agriculture, deforestation, degradation of wetlands and riparian zones is increasing erosion, siltation and contributing to nutrient enrichment of aquatic systems. Sustainable land management practices, including protection of forests, wetlands and riparian zones, river banks and lake shores, should be promoted to reduce nutrient loading and siltation of aquatic systems.

Monitor and manage impacts dams

Hydropower and other dams have and continue to be constructed along the rivers flowing into and out of the lakes to provide power required for development and water for other uses especially irrigation. Dams affect ecological flow and biodiversity. The impacts of dams on aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity should be determined and mitigation measures provided in their design, construction, and operation.

Plan urban areas properly

The shorelines and catchments areas around many of the African lakes are becoming urbanized and release wastes into lakes causing eutrophication and pollution. Proper urban planning should be applied to minimize pollution of the lakes from industrial and urban wastes. Point and non-point sources of pollution should be identified and controlled.

Monitor and manage mineral, oil and gas exploration and exploitation

Minerals, oil, and gas have been discovered in some lakes and their basins and exploitation is either under way or taking place. Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) of mineral exploration and exploitation should be conducted prior to extraction, and mitigation measures put in place during exploitation.

Protect and develop tourism

Tourism is very important in the economy of many African countries. Many African lakes are important tourism destinations because of proximity to national parks and game reserves, high biodiversity, and beautiful sandy beaches. These areas continue to develop and the impacts of their development on the health and productivity of the lakes should be determined, monitored and incorporated in management plans of the lakes.

Develop ports, maritime transport, and security

Ports and maritime transport are important in communication, trade, and security on lakes and are part of economic development of lakes. There is need to properly develop ports, landing facilities, navigation routes, and maritime security to enable them contribute to blue economy development.

Determine and manage pollution sources

Human development activities especially agriculture, mining, and urban development use chemicals and produce wastes that pollute lakes and this is dangerous to the health of the lakes and the users of lake resources. There is need to determine the pollutants of lakes, their sources, impacts and manage them.

Build on previous programs

There have been programs on African lakes and their basins that have addressed factors that influence their health and productivity. Some of the information generated by these programs has not been synthesized and made available. Efforts should be made to take stock of these programs and the information generated, synthesize, and make it available for management of the lakes.

Improve policies and policy implementation

Policies on conservation and sustainable use of lake resources have been developed at global, continental and sub-regional. These policies have been translated into national policies and legal instruments for development and management of aquatic resources. Implementation of the policies and regulations has, in many cases been weak leaving resources to be degraded. There is need to improve implementation of policies. Specific efforts should be made to sensitize and involve user communities in implementation of the policies.

Improve, network and strengthen institutions

There are research institutions to generate information, and management and community institutions to implement management actions. These activities are costly and many countries cannot afford collecting the required information and implementing management measures individually. This can be reduced by strengthening linkages between institutions by forming networks to mobilize, share, and apply technical knowledge to reduce transaction costs. This should include enhancement and strengthening community participation.

Develop sustainable funding mechanisms

Collection of information and data, and implementation of management actions within and across lake basins is costly leading to inadequate availability of information to sustain the ecosystem health and productivity. Some efforts have been made through support from development partners but this is not sustainable. Institutions should network in mobilization of resources, collecting and sharing information and data within and between the lakes to reduce transaction costs.

Improve mobilisation and sharing of information

There is considerable information and data that can be applied in conservation and sustainable use of African lakes. Much of the information is however scattered, inaccessible and sometimes in forms that are not easily accessible and user-friendly. Specific efforts should be made to mobilize, package, share information and data and to make it accessible in forms that can be used by a wide range of stakeholders to increase awareness. Specific efforts should be made to apply digital systems.