Abstract:
The study investigated the effectiveness of fisheries policies and regulations on Lake Victoria using Masaka district, Uganda, as a case study. It focused on the role of these policies and regulations in the sustainable management and conservation of fish stocks in Lake Victoria.
Using a combination of field surveys, interviews with key stakeholders and document analysis of the existing fisheries data, the research assessed compliance levels among fishers and the broader fishing communities, explored the impact of these policies and regulations on fish production and identified the factors contributing to the ongoing conflicts between fishers and policy enforcement officers. The findings revealed that while policies and regulations are in place, compliance among fishers’ remains inconsistent, largely due to economic disparity and the fisheries resources access hurdles. The study also highlights that the existing policies and regulations have minimal impact on the fish catches but rather the reduced catches are as a result of declining fish stocks. The study further highlights that the conflicts between fishers and enforcement officers are largely driven by economic pressures, corruption, mistrust, militarization of the fishery and resource scarcity. Despite the challenges of conflicts, effective enforcement combined with stakeholder inclusiveness plus community awareness could improve compliance and lead to better conservation outcomes. This study provides crucial insights into the complexities of fisheries management in Lake Victoria and offers recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of policies and regulations in the area. These include strengthening enforcement mechanisms, fostering collaboration between stakeholders and improving community awareness to promote sustainable fishing practices to ensure long-term viability of the fisheries resources in Masaka district.
