Farida Mayowela
Other projects
20 Oct 2022
Conservation Initiatives to Protect the Critically Endangered Kampango (Bagrus meridionalis) in Lake Nyasa through Community Education and Empowerment, Tanzania
Lake Nyasa in southern Tanzania plays a vital role in supporting the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and communities’ livelihoods through fishing and water supply for domestic use (Nindi, 2007). It is home to a critically endangered fish species known as Kampango (Bagrus meridionalis).
Farida Mayowela. © Farida Mayowela.
Despite the lake's importance for aquatic species, especially Kampango, human activities threaten its biological integrity. Overfishing, the use of poison and forbidden fishing nets, as well as a lack of understanding among local fishermen regarding B. meridionalis, are the greatest threats to the lake's and species' survival. These threats are potentially affecting the natural processes driving B. meridionalis reproductive behaviour, as they destroy and pollute foraging and breeding sites for this species. B. meridionalis is one of the targeted fish species by fishers and is affected by these threats.
This project will monitor the population of the critically endangered Kampango and introduce alternative income-generating activities to diversify the community’s income and reduce pressure on Kampango fishing and habitat degradation.