Researchers have concurred that overfishing is also highly contributing to the reduction of fish in Lake Victoria. The Ugandan government has licensed over 20 fish processing firms along the shore to process fish for both local consumption and export.

Consequently, fishermen have conducted far and wide fishing to satisfy the ever growing demand for fish consumption, both in the local and international markets.

This has overtaken the rate of fish reproduction, hence creating a deficiency in fish production. In a survey conducted by Reynolds and Greboval (2008), it was revealed that fish population reduced from 135,000 tons to 107,000 tons between the years 1993 and 1997.

Conversely, the number of fishing canoes increased from 5,000 to 8,000 within the same period. Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) reveals that there are two principle factors contributed to fish reduction during this time; overexploitation of bigger fishes in the lake and economic instability in Uganda during the 1970’s and 1980’s (ipsnews.net).

Illegal fishing practices and poor policy formulation in Uganda also highly contributed to fish reduction in the lake.

Currently, the tonnage of fish has reduced as the number of fishing canoes and fishermen in the lake increases. Fisheries experts have raised a concern over the increase in the rate of water pollution, which has put the aquatic life in jeopardy.

LVFO has pointed out that the prevailing treads of water contamination will see an increase in death of fish and subsequent reduction in their number. Ultimately, this will be a loss to both the country and the global biodiversity.

Jennifer Johnson, a fisheries expert with the organization noted that the lake was highly infested by algae and chemical substances that formed a layer that protected penetration of both sunshine and oxygen, which are essential ingredients to the growth and flourishing of the aquatic life.

The industrial and horticultural effluents are the leading contributors to this water pollution, and its consequences are fatal to the fish and general aquatic life (ipsnews.net).

During the interview, Jennifer Johnson confirmed that the oxygen content in the lake has reduced by 50 per cent hence hindering the growth of planktons and other plant materials that fish consume.

“The algae consume a lot of oxygen in both their growth and decomposition process, which ultimately reduces the oxygen available for other aquatic life in the lake. In addition, water pollution in the lakes leads to rise in temperature which creates unfavorable environment for the fishes to thrive on and ultimately leading to their death,” she said.

She concluded the interview by water pollution has a direct impact to global warming and climatic changes, which are among the leading environmental challenges in the contemporary world. Her sentiments were echoed by Engineer Hillay Onek, the former Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries, who noted that pollution, had surpassed overfishing in the list of leading causes of the reduction in the number of fishes in Lake Victoria.

“We have lost over 23 per cent of our Nile Perch as a consequence of pollution,” said the Minister. He noted that the algae have bloomed as a result of high nutrients content in the lake.

Additionally, over fertilization practiced in the greenhouses has enriched the lake creating a favorable environment for the blooming of the algae.

He shifted the blame to the Uganda’s National Environmental Management Authority, NEMA, the body which is mandated to ensure clean and safe environment. He reiterated on the Government’s commitment to ensuring clean and safe environment and strict adherence to the set rules and regulations on the usage of natural resources, notably fresh water resources.

He concurred with Ms Johnson that horticultural farming and industrial activities are the main contributors to the water pollution and the subsequent death and reduction of fishes in the lake. However, he blamed poor farming practices which encouraged soil erosion.

Once this happens water finds its way into the Lake, it adds the nutrients content hence encouraging blooming of algae in the lake.

The local community has also pointed out and lamented over the excruciating nature of the lake. Okita John, a local fisherman notes that the lake water, which was once clean and clear has in the last five years turned green, dirty and stinking.

“We no longer draw water for domestic use from the lake,” said John as he sets out to his daily fishing. He informed me that five years ago he used to get a sufficient number of fishes near the lake shores. However, the situation has drastically changed courtesy of the escalating rate of pollution.

“I can no longer fish near the lake shore and I am compelled to fish deep in the Lake. The fish there is not sufficient either, and am compelled to go home with a half-full boat after fishing for the whole night,” laments John.

He notes that some of the fishermen use unacceptable methods of fishing, notably use of pesticides, which has resulted into large death of fishes; hence their reduction.

The increasing number of algae has also affected water transportation, as fishermen are compelled to traverse through these plantations. A reduced number of fish translates into a reduced income. The introduction of Nile Perch in Lake Victorian equally played a significant in reduction of the fish species in Lake Victoria.

This predator was introduced to the lake in the 1950’s and has resulted to near either disappearance or reduction of the number of some fish species in the lake. Therefore, reduction of fish in Lake Victoria has been as a consequence of various human factors.

They include introduction of exotic species (notably Nile perch), overfishing and pollution. This tread can be reversed by through government’s participation by formulating strict policies on fishing and pollution.

In addition, the local community, which is majorly comprised of fishermen, has a role to play in changing their lifestyle to enhance an increase in the number of fishes in Lake Victoria.