Lake Kijanebalola | |
---|---|
Location | Rakai District, Uganda |
Coordinates | 0°43′02″S31°19′46″E / 0.71714°S 31.329403°E |
Part of | Lake Victoria basin |
Basin countries | Uganda |
Lake Kijanebalola, also known as Lake Kijanebarola or Lake Kijjanebalola, is a freshwater lake located in Koki county, Kyalulangira sub-county, Rakai District, Central Uganda. Spanning an area of around 14 square kilometers, it contains Kisozi Island and Kinoni Island. The lake is surrounded by populated places such as Lugando, Kisomole, Gombe, Lukondo, Kayonza, Buyanda and Dwaniro. [1]
Lake Kijanebalola is located at 0°43′02″S31°19′46″E / 0.71714°S 31.329403°E , situated at approximately 1,200 meters above sea level. The depth of the lake fluctuates, maintaining an average of roughly 4 meters. The lake is surrounded by various regions, among them being Kyarurangira, Ddyango Town Council, Ddwaniro, Kagamba, Kibaale, Kibanda, Lwamaggwa, and Rakai Town Council. The lake's water system includes connections to Lake Kacheera and the Kagera River, which ultimately flow into Lake Victoria. [2]
The lake is a haven to a diverse ecosystem, comprising various fish species which are significant for the nearby area's fishing practices. The adjacent wetlands and shoreline provide habitat for a multitude of plant and animal life forms. In terms of economics, the lake is a fundamental component of the local communities' income, facilitating activities such as fishing, agriculture, and animal husbandry. [3]
Lake Kijanebalola is currently encountering a series of environmental challenges. It has been observed to exhibit occurrences of invasive green algae, which have significantly curtailed fishing operations and had a notable impact on the lake's water quality. This phenomenon of excessive algal growth is largely attributed to the presence of pollutants, specifically those derived from agricultural sources, which introduce heightened levels of nitrogen and phosphorus into the aquatic ecosystem. [4] In 2022, it was also reported that lake had dramatically dried up which led to several economic and environmental setbacks with a similar incident having occurred in 1997. [5] [1] The lake has also undergone instances of desiccation, with a particularly notable event occurring in May 2021. This has resulted in substantial fish mortality and has had consequential effects on the economic well-being of the local fishing community. [1] The lake has experienced multiple instances of overflow, resulting in the inundation of nearby roads and the displacement of residents. The most substantial of these events took place in December 2022, which caused fatalities and noteworthy damage to property. [2] [6] [7]
Efforts are currently in progress to tackle the issues. Both local governments and national entities have launched initiatives to advocate for sustainable fishing methods and control the spread of invasive species. [4] [8] Additionally, there are continuous projects focused on rehabilitating the lake's ecosystem and guaranteeing the responsible utilization of its resources. [2] [9] [10]
Lake Kijanebalola holds cultural significance for the local communities. It is an integral aspect of the Kooki Cultural Institution's historical background and customs. In addition to its economic role, the lake frequently appears in local folklore, which underscores its broader significance beyond mere economic utility.
The Nile perch, also known as the African snook, Goliath perch, African barramundi, Goliath barramundi, Giant lates or the Victoria perch, is a species of freshwater fish in family Latidae of order Perciformes. It is widespread throughout much of the Afrotropical realm, being native to the Congo, Nile, Senegal, Niger and Lake Chad, Volta, Lake Turkana, and other river basins. It also occurs in the brackish waters of Lake Maryut in Egypt. The Nile perch is a fish of substantial economic and food-security importance in East Africa. Originally described as Labrus niloticus, among the marine wrasses, the species has also been referred to as Centropomus niloticus. Common names include African snook, Victoria perch, and many local names in various African languages, such as the Luo name mbuta or mputa. In Tanzania, it is called sangara, sankara, or chenku. In Francophone African countries, it is known as capitaine. Its name in the Hausa language is giwan ruwa, meaning "water elephant".
Lake Edward is one of the smaller African Great Lakes. It is located in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with its northern shore a few kilometres south of the equator.
Freshwater ecosystems are a subset of Earth's aquatic ecosystems. They include lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, springs, bogs, and wetlands. They can be contrasted with marine ecosystems, which have a larger salt content. Freshwater habitats can be classified by different factors, including temperature, light penetration, nutrients, and vegetation. There are three basic types of freshwater ecosystems: Lentic, lotic and wetlands. Freshwater ecosystems contain 41% of the world's known fish species.
Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and second largest coastal lagoon in the world, covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometres (420 sq mi). It is spread over the Puri, Khordha and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
Kalangala, also known as Ssesse, is a district in Central Uganda. The district is coterminous with the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria and does not have territory on mainland Uganda. Like other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kalangala which is located on Bugala Island, the largest of the Ssese Islands.To reach Kalangala town on Bugala island one has to board a boat at specified points or use one of the Ferries sailing through the Bukakata-Luku route that joins the town with the mainland in Masaka District. There is also a relatively longer route that passes via Nakiwogo in Wakiso district to connect to Lutoboka on Bugala Island.
Southeast Asian coral reefs have the highest levels of biodiversity for the world's marine ecosystems. They serve many functions, such as forming the livelihood for subsistence fishermen and even function as jewelry and construction materials. Corals inhabit coastal waters off of every continent except Antarctica, with an abundance of reefs residing along Southeast Asian coastline in several countries including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Coral reefs are developed by the carbonate-based skeletons of a variety of animals and algae. Slowly and over time, the reefs build up to the surface in oceans. Coral reefs are found in shallow, warm salt water. The sunlight filters through clear water and allows microscopic organisms to live and reproduce. Coral reefs are actually composed of tiny, fragile animals known as coral polyps. Coral reefs are significantly important because of the biodiversity. Although the number of fish are decreasing, the remaining coral reefs contain more unique sea creatures. The variety of species living on a coral reef is greater than anywhere else in the world. An estimation of 70-90% of fish caught are dependent on coral reefs in Southeast Asia and reefs support over 25% of all known marine species.
The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is a federally-designated underwater area protected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. This sanctuary is the largest and most remote in the National Marine Sanctuary system. Spanning 13,581 sq mi, it is thought to be home to the greatest biodiversity of aquatic species of all the marine sanctuaries. Among them are expansive coral reefs, including some of the oldest Porites coral heads on earth, deep-water reefs, hydrothermal vent communities, and rare archeological resources. It was established as Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary on April 29, 1986, it is thought to be home to the greatest biodiversity of aquatic species of all the marine sanctuaries. and then expanded and renamed in 2012.
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) is an issue around the world. Fishing industry observers believe IUU occurs in most fisheries, and accounts for up to 30% of total catches in some important fisheries.
Fish stocking is the practice of releasing fish that are artificially raised in a hatchery into a natural body of water, to supplement existing wild populations or to create a new population where previously none exists. Stocking may be done for the benefit of commercial, recreational or tribal heritage fishing, but may also be done for ecological conservation to restore or increase the population of threatened/endangered fish species that is pressured by prior overfishing, habitat destruction, and/or competition from invasive species.
There are two major sources of fish in Uganda; one is from aquaculture, the other from fishing in rivers and lakes. The latter has made up the largest and most significant share of all fishing. Open water covers 15.3 percent of Uganda's surface and comprises five major lakes which are the main sources of fish in the country. Lake Victoria continues to be the most important water body in Uganda both in size and contribution to the total fish catch, followed by Lake Albert and Lake Kyoga.
Migingo is a 2,000-square-metre island in Kenya on Lake Victoria. The island was the center of a low-level territorial dispute between Kenya and Uganda and is extremely densely populated. Migingo is a main source of fish to the Kenyan people.
Lake Wamala is a freshwater lake in Uganda. Its wetlands contain endangered species of birds and animals including the sitatunga. The lake is of traditional and cultural significance to the people of Buganda in Central Uganda.
Organisms targeted by NISA are categorized as aquatic nuisance species, including in particular zebra mussels and Eurasian ruffe. To extend upon NANPCA, NISA authorizes regulation of ballast water, a key factor in the spread of aquatic invasive species; funding for prevention and control research; regional involvement with the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force; and education and technical assistance programs to promote compliance with the new regulations. NISA also includes specific actions for certain geographical locations, such as the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and San Francisco Bay.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to fisheries:
Fishing sites and villages/communities in Uganda are mostly on islands and at landing sites. These act as central points for fish trade and fishing.
River Rwizi is a river located in South Western Uganda in district called Mbarara. River Rwizi is a river located in southwestern Uganda. It is the second-longest river in Uganda, after the Nile River. The river originates in the hills of Buhweju District and flows through the districts of Sheema, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Rwampara, Mbarara, Isingiro, Kiruhura, Lyantonde, Rakai, and Kyotera. It eventually empties into Lake Victoria. Many swamps feed river Rwizi, including Nyakafumura, part of the Mushasha water basin, and Kanyabukanja wetland. These marshes function as water reservoirs or catchments, gently releasing water into the river to support the surrounding population.
Kasensero landing site is a fishing port found on Lake Victoria, in the Rakai District of Central Uganda, a short distance from its border with Tanzania. Kasensero is used as a centre for fish trade in Uganda. The community has a population of approximately 15,000 inhabitants.
Lake Katwe is a hypersaline lake located in the district of Kasese, southwestern Uganda. It is renowned for its high salt concentration and has a rich history of salt mining by local communities.
Lake Mburo is a freshwater lake located in western Uganda, situated within the Lake Mburo National Park. It is a prominent feature of the region, known for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity.
Lake Kachera is also known as Lake Kachira, Lake Kacheera, Lake Kakyera and Lake Kachra is a shallow fresh water lake that is located in Rakai district and Mbarara district in Uganda. It is a part of the Mburo-Nakivale wetland system and also a part of the complex system of lakes known as Koki lakes that are separated by vast swamps. It is also one of the lakes that make the Victoria satellite lakes.