Johnson Grayson Mshana
Other projects
2 Jan 2013
Conservation Awareness Campaign for the Protection of Critically Endangered Jipe tilapia, Oreochromis jipe and its Habitat in Lake Jipe
10 Oct 2014
Conservation Awareness Campaign for the Protection of Critically Endangered Jipe Tilapia and its Habitat in Lake Jipe Tanzania
12 Apr 2016
Community Participation in the Conservation of Critically Endangered Jipe Tilapia Oreochromis jipe and Lake Jipe Ecosystem in Tanzania
Lake Jipe Tanzania is a home to endemic but critically endangered Jipe Tilapia among other 11 fish species. The commercially important Jipe Tilapia was listed as critically endangered (IUCN 2006) due to overfishing, infestation by weeds, siltation, overfishing, illegal fishing and habitat destruction. The decline in the Lake Jipe fisheries forced vast number of fishing communities to engage in other livelihood activities for substance. The economic gain from the unsustainable farming, beekeeping, mining, livestock keeping and charcoal burning were not realized by the surrounding communities but accelerated decline in fish habitat quality. Fish remains the sole major source of proteins to the surrounding community but extreme poverty leaves little incentive for sustainable management of Jipe Tilapia population. This project aims to ‘Bring people together to recover the health of Jipe Tilapia and habitat and improve the livelihood of the community around Lake Jipe ecosystem in Tanzania’.
BFishers training on the environmental friendly fishing gears in Lake Jipe
Lake Jipe Tanzania is a home to endemic but critically endangered Jipe Tilapia among other 11 fish species. The commercially important Jipe Tilapia was listed as critically endangered (IUCN 2006) due to overfishing, infestation by weeds, siltation, overfishing, illegal fishing and habitat destruction. The decline in the Lake Jipe fisheries forced vast number of fishing communities to engage in other livelihood activities for substance. The economic gain from the unsustainable farming, beekeeping, mining, livestock keeping and charcoal burning were not realized by the surrounding communities but accelerated decline in fish habitat quality. Fish remains the sole major source of proteins to the surrounding community but extreme poverty leaves little incentive for sustainable management of Jipe Tilapia population.
Past conservation activities addressed illegal fishing practices, environmental awareness, deforestation, habitat destruction and promote environmental friendly activities. Other activities include creation of ‘Local Reserved Areas’ aand capacity building for BMUs. However, fish smoking using fire wood and vegetation removal by animal trumping and feeding in the shore areas continue to threatens forests and accelerates siltation leading to the deterioration of habitat quality. The endangered status of Jipe Tilapia indicates small population size that is susceptible to various risks of extinction. The management regime of the risks can be identified for management strategies through application of genetic methods and life history parameters. The proposed project intends to:
i. Reduce juvenile mortality and increase reproductive success of Jipe Tilapia through awareness, law enforcement and compliance toward environmentally friendly fishing gears and fish smoking technique.
ii. Reduce poverty and improve Lake habitat through up-scaling of the improved beekeeping and local chicken keeping activities.
iii. Improve fish and shore habitats through sediment retention, construction of charcoal dams and law enforcements.
iv. Improve conservation management of the Jipe Tilapia and habitats through genetic and life history studies.