Naomi Njarabi
Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake and a biodiversity hotspot, is both a lifeline for millions of people and a global hotspot of freshwater biodiversity. Once celebrated for its extraordinary diversity of more than 500 haplochromine cichlid species, the lake has suffered severe ecological decline in recent decades. Overfishing, invasive species, eutrophication, and widespread pollution have driven many endemics to extinction or near-extinction, threatening both ecosystem integrity and local livelihoods.
Among the species most affected is the Critically Endangered cichlid Lipochromis microdon, once thought to be extinct for nearly 40 years but recently rediscovered in Tanzania’s Mwanza Gulf. This larva-eating cichlid represents not only a unique ecological role in the lake’s food web but also a powerful flagship for conservation. Protecting this species provides a pathway to raise awareness and mobilise action for the broader restoration of the lake. The aim of this project is to conserve Lipochromis microdon and safeguard its freshwater habitat through a community-based conservation approach.
We will conduct species and habitat surveys in collaboration with local fishers, providing training to build their capacity as citizen scientists. Education campaigns and community workshops will raise awareness about the importance of conserving endemic species, while promoting sustainable fishing. To address the growing threat of pollution, we will organise lake clean-up events, train communities on better waste management practices, and partner with local authorities to advocate for long-term solutions.
By using Lipochromis microdon as a flagship species, the project will highlight the urgent need to protect Lake Victoria’s unique cichlid diversity, benefiting other threatened species. Through this initiative, we are not only working to prevent the extinction of Lipochromis microdon but also supporting the resilience of Lake Victoria’s ecosystems and the communities which depend on them.
The findings will form the foundation for conservation planning while simultaneously engaging local communities in participatory biodiversity monitoring. Since the small-scale fishers and farmers of Mwanza Gulf rely heavily on the lake, promoting sustainable fishing methods and improving waste management will conserve biodiversity while strengthening community stewardship.
By transforming the rediscovery of Lipochromis microdon into a catalyst for action, this project will create a model of community-led conservation in the Mwanza Gulf and contribute to the restoration of one of Africa’s most important freshwater ecosystems.