Your favourite tilapia fish delicacy from Lake Victoria could soon disappear from your plate due to pollution and over-harvesting, survey indicates.
A report prepared by Ugandan scientists and researchers from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) stated that 76 per cent of species in the lake are threatened with extinction.
“Increased fishing pressure in the lake has resulted in decreases in catch per unit especially for the tilapiine species. Use of unsustainable fishing methods contribute to overexploitation,” the report stated in part according to the Star.
IUCN is a Switzerland-based NGO and is ranked the world’s main authority on the conservation of species.
Besides extinction of Tilapia, the report further indicates that other species such as crabs, shrimps, dragonflies and indigenous aquatic plants could be gone in the near future because of attack from hostile organisms.
Use of chemicals for agricultural and industrial purposes; over-harvesting and land clearance are key human activities that pose a threat to the biodiversity at Lake Victoria.
Further, indicated the report titled, “Freshwater Biodiversity in the Lake Victoria Basin” Water hyacinth and Nile Perch threatens 73 per cent of the species.
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Will Darwall, head of IUCN’s freshwater biodiversity unit and a co-author in the report said, “The Lake Victoria Basin is incredibly rich in unique species found nowhere else on earth, yet its biodiversity is being decimated.”
He added that communities that depend on the lake for livelihood are in danger.
“The effects on communities that depend on the lake for their livelihoods could be disastrous.”