Project Description

SOLSTICE-WIO is a four-year collaborative project funded by the UK Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). Launched in October 2017, it brings together local knowledge and international research expertise to address challenges facing the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region in a cost-effective way.

Project PI

Dr Shigalla Mahongo

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

Problem statement

Information on the stock status of the octopus fishery in marine waters of Mainland Tanzania is not sufficient specifically their abundance and distribution. Data on these aspects and those on population dynamics are crucial for Implementation of Octopus Fisheries Management Plan (OFMP) as well MSC certification of Tanzania Mainland Octopus.

This assignment will conduct a spatial analysis of catch and effort to understand the impact of octopus exploitation on the general marine and coastal environment as well as the levels of exploitation (catch and effort) relative to the key ecological elements. Recent study by TAFIRI (2016) revealed that catch and fishing effort levels in the octopus fishery vary spatially in coastal waters of Tanzania. This study intend to validate the hypothesis on how the levels of fishing effort related to the ecosystem sensitive in particular coral reefs environment. The spatial assessment will also focus on areas with the highest fishing effort that are likely to impact octopus capture and the ecosystem. Specifically the study will elucidate:

1. The number of fishers using spears and other methods on shallow reefs and in deeper waters.
2. Qualitatively assess the likely impact of fishers damaging coral reefs through their fishing methods.
The temporal variability of fishing effort per season. However, the assessment will be supplemented with the existing data (TAFIRI, 2016)

Project PI

Dr Maria Kishe

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Project PI

Mwanza Center

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

LAKE VICTORIA ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PROJECT

Project PI

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF PREFERRED FISHING HABITATS (PFZ) FOR THE PELAGIC SPECIES

Project PI

Dr Baraka Kuguru

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

The main goal of the proposed project is to determine the responses of biological productivity and fisheries to changes in upwelling conditions associated with changes in atmospheric and oceanographic processes in the EACC shelf area of Kenya and Tanzania, and the corresponding vulnerability, resilience and adaptation options of the coastal fisheries dependent communities.

Project PI

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

The project is fully covered by the North Mara Gold Mines (ACACIA). TAFIRI-Mwanza offers technical assistance in terms of training the NYAKEGEMA members on fish pond construction and aquaculture management. Since the start of the project to present TAFIRI- Mwanza received some amount to cover supply of fish feeds, allowances, fish pond monitoring and management.

Project PI

Benedicto Kashindye (TAFIRI Mwanza Centre) Co-PI: Enock Mlaponi (TAFIRI Mwanza Centre)

Project Progress

The project is located at Nyamongo and the beneficiary of the project is the NYAKEGEMA Cooperative union. The members of the cooperative union are the young people who come from the villages surrounding the North Mara Gold mines and who were once invaders to the mining. The project began by conducting a one week training programme to the group in March 2014. Thereafter three fish ponds were constructed under our close supervision. A total of 15,750 tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were stocked in the three ponds of 1750 m2, each pond stocked with 5250 fish. The first pond (named as pond A) was stocked on 4th March 2015, the second (pond B)on 1st April 2015 and the third (pond C) on 27th May 2015 with average weight of 2.3g, 1.1g and 1.2g respectively. The last monitoring survey was conducted on 6th August 2015. We observed fast growth of fish in all the three ponds. In pond A we observed an increase in average weight from 2.3g to 309.09g. In pond B we observed an increase from average weight of 1.1g to 126.6 g. While in pond C we observed an increase in average weight from 1.2g to 96.7g.

Project Archievement

The project is aimed at eenhancing the adoption of fish farming technology as an alternative livelihood for the Mining community of North Mara.

Dissemination & Capacity Building

The project is aimed at transferring fish farming technology to the mining community to provide alternative livelihood. TAFIRI benefits from the project by obtaining data that can be used for scientific purposes like publication.

Project Description

WATER ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE LAND USE IN THE GREAT LAKE WATERSHEDS OF EAST AFRICA

Project PI

Prof. Chen Shuang Sophia (NIGLAS, China) Co-PIs: Ismael A Kimirei & Huruma Mgana (TAFIRI Kigoma Centre)

Project Progress

Research is currently being undertaken once every month through collection and analysis of lake water samples as well as rain water samples at three catchment sites (Kigoma Bay, Malagarasi River and Luiche River).

Project Archievement

The project intends to assess the impact of land use on water environment and put forward the strategic suggestions of integrated land and water resources management at the catchment scale

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Training on water quality analysis has been provided to research staff both in China and at TAFIRI in Kigoma. One Tanzania (from the VPO) is currently being funded by the project undertake PhD studies in China. Several research equipment have been acquired for the TAFIRI Lab in Kigoma. These include microscopes, DI water generator, and an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). One stakeholder workshop has been organized in Kigoma in 2014 which was also aired by several TV and Radio stations

Project Description

PRODUCTION OF CATFISH FINGERLINGS USING ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION FOR POVERTY REDUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IN LAKE VICTORIA BASIN, TANZANIA

Project PI

Dr Martin J. GENNER (University of Bristol, UK) Co-PIs: Dr Peter Ngatunga (TAFIRI Headquarters), George F. Turner (Bangor University)

Project Progress

Twenty fish farmers from Ng’wakalima and Nyasoro villages in Misungwi and Rorya districts respectively, and four district fisheries officers from Misungwi and Rorya districts were trained on catfish production technology. A hatchery unit at Ng’wakalima village (Misungwi district) was completed and handled over to the Fish farmers through Misungwi District Council administration. The hatchery is operational and Fish farmers are producing catfish themselves. A hatchery unit at Nyasoro village (Rorya district) has been built during the reported period. However, funds are required to start in-house practical training and on-farm production of catfish fingerlings. The way forward is up scaling of artificial propagation technology by establishing another hatchery (including water system, hatchery unit infrastructures, and rearing ponds) for Kaliila Fish farmers group (Bukoba Rural District).

Project Archievement

The project aims to use samples to reconstruct the relationships of populations using molecular approaches, test for the presence of new species (using molecular, morphological and behavioural approaches) and to investigate key aspects of their ecology (distributions and diet). That means using molecular ecology to inform conservation of Tanzanian freshwater fishes.

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Two farmer groups (Ng’wakalima and Nyasoro) and their extension officers were trained on artificial propagation technology of catfish. Two hatcheries have been constructed for the groups to produce fingerlings on their own.

Project Description

MOLECOFISH-CONSERVATION OF TANZANIA FRESHWATER FISHES

Project PI

Project PI: Dr Martin J. GENNER (University of Bristol, UK) Co-PIs: Dr Peter Ngatunga (TAFIRI Headquarters), George F. Turner (Bangor University)

Project Progress

Phase II of the Africa Award project was stimulated by phase I observations that the fish fauna of Tanzania is still very poorly known. In this phase we are studying “Characterisation and conservation of tilapia fish diversity in Tanzania”. This new project will focus on mapping the distributions of the 31 species of Oreochromis found across Tanzania, of which 26 are native. We will aim to identify evolutionary significant units (and there is potential for discovery of new species). We will study the extent of hybridization, identify the suitable habitats of species in part to predict spread of non-native species, and use this information to put together an action plan to promote sustainable aquaculture in Tanzania. Our plan is to survey native and introduced tilapia resources of Tanzania in natural and artificial water bodies across the 10 catchments/water basins. Todate we have covered Lake Nyasa, Ruvuma, Ruaha, Wami, Ruvu and the coastal catchments. Although the main team in the Africa Award has been TAFIRI, the University of Bristol and Bangor University, the new project has brought in the University of Dar-es-Salaam, who provides the environment for the PhD training.

Project Archievement

The project aims to use samples to reconstruct the relationships of populations using molecular approaches, test for the presence of new species (using molecular, morphological and behavioural approaches) and to investigate key aspects of their ecology (distributions and diet). That means using molecular ecology to inform conservation of Tanzanian freshwater fishes.

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Ms Asilatu Shechonge and Mr. Edmund Kajuni graduated with Master’s degrees from Bangor University during the first phase of the project. Ms Shechonge is now registered for a PhD at the University of Dar-es-Salaam funded under Phase II of the Royal Society-Leverhulme Trust Funds. During Phase I of the project, a workshop was held in Dar-es-Salaam whereby the results of the project (Phase I) were presented to key stakeholders provoking discussions on the future of biodiversity research and freshwater fish conservation in Tanzania.

Project Description

SWIOFP details

Project PI

dsm center

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

The Marine and Coastal Environment Management Project (MACEMP) was a six-year project, which commenced in July 2005, the official completion date was August 2011. Under MACEMP project TAFIRI was involved in implementation of component 1 (SOUND MANAGEMENT OF EEZ) Sub-component: (Science, Research and Monitoring).

Project PI

Dr . SimonJ. Kangwe (2005-2008), Ms Catherine Mwakosya (2009) & Ms Lyidia Kapapa (2010-2011)

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

It is a three year project with the aim of conducting prawn stock assessment surveys in order to understand the status of prawn stocks and factors affecting the status. Moreover, the survey intends to investigate the effectiveness of the industrial prawn fishery closure which was imposed in 2007 to 2016 in the three major prawn fishing zones designated by the department of Fisheries Development and also defined in the Tanzania Prawn Fishery Management Plan (URT, 2012), which include, Bagamoyo (zone 1), Rufiji (zone 2) and Kilwa (zone 3). To achieve this both trawl and artisanal fishery surveys will be undertaken in the three fishing grounds and a parallel socio-economic study in the same areas. The socio -economic study will generate a profile and cost-benefit analysis of the artisanal and industrial prawn fisheries as well as fishery analysis of the community versus national benefits of the trawl and artisanal fisheries. The results of both the stock assessment and the socio-economic study will be able to provide the basis for recommending detailed management measures for both the industrial and artisanal prawn fisheries, as a contribution to future review of the Prawn Fishery Management Plan (URT, 2012).

Project PI

Dr Catherine Mwakosya & Dr Abdilah Chande

Project Progress

Proposal for implementing this research is completed. Funds are expected to be received in September 2017 and start immediately.

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

Production of Catfish Fingerlings using Artificial Propagation for Poverty Reduction and Environmental Conservation in Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania.

Project PI

Batman S. Msuku (TAFIRI Mwanza Centre, Retired in June, 2015) Co-PI: Magreth J. Musiba (TAFIRI Mwanza Centre)

Project Progress

Twenty fish farmers from Ng’wakalima and Nyasoro villages in Misungwi and Rorya districts respectively, and four district fisheries officers from Misungwi and Rorya districts were trained on catfish production technology. A hatchery unit at Ng’wakalima village (Misungwi district) was completed and handled over to the Fish farmers through Misungwi District Council administration. The hatchery is operational and Fish farmers are producing catfish themselves. A hatchery unit at Nyasoro village (Rorya district) has been built during the reported period. However, funds are required to start in-house practical training and on-farm production of catfish fingerlings. The way forward is up scaling of artificial propagation technology by establishing another hatchery (including water system, hatchery unit infrastructures, and rearing ponds) for Kaliila Fish farmers group (Bukoba Rural District).

Project Archievement

The study intends to contribute to poverty alleviation and habitat conservation in the Lake Victoria basin through catfish culture technology.

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

Fish solar drying techniques evaluation and introduction to fisher communities, Lake Nyasa, Tanzania.

Project PI

Dr Mathias M. Igulu (TAFIRI Headquarters) Co-PI: Kwendwa J. Kihedu (TAFIRI Kyela Centre)

Project Progress

Four prototypes solar dryers suitable for drying small sized fish of Lake Nyasa have been designed and developed and their performance have been tested. The best performed dryer (tent prototype) has been introduced to fishers and processors at Matema and the rest of the fishing village in the coming last phase of the project. Chemical and nutritional composition of dried dagaa has been determined. This information will help in marketing Lake Nyasa Dagaa products. The project has purchased various research equipments that are expected to strengthen research capability beyond the project time. Capacity building to TAFIRI and local fisher’s communities has been done and the project will continue doing so in its last phase. Furthermore, participating TAFIRI researchers have received training on data collection and analysis, while a few selected researchers will take advanced course on data processing and analysis. Some local dagaa processors from Matema have participated in the project; they have gained knowledge from TAFIRI researchers ever since the start of the project. Scientific and technical reports will be published at the end of the project. A project television documentary has been produced in collaboration with Star Television, the documentary is expected to be aired in few weeks to come, this forms part of the project dissemination program. Further publication of project findings is expected to benefit not only the general public but also investors.

Project Archievement

The study intends to assess the potential of using low cost solar dryer for drying fish along Lake Nyasa.

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

TAFIRI Kigoma Centre is working with the Nature Conservancy through their flagship program in the Lake Tanganyika basin, the TNC Tuungane Project.

Project PI

TAFIRI & TNC

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

TAFIRI Kigoma is collaborating with MATIS Iceland to reduce greenhouse gases emissions and deforestation by advocating the use of energy efficient combined solar dryer and smoker for processing fishes in the lake thereby reducing post-harvest loss and adding value to the fish products.

Project PI

TAFIRI KIGOMA

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

TAFIRI Kigoma is also collaborating with the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGLAS) to execute a lake water quality monitoring program.

Project PI

TAFIRI KIGOMA

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

TAFIRI Kigoma Centre is currently collaborating with the University of Aarhus (Denmark), Illinois State University (USA), University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Enavigo Consult a/s (Denmark) in a project called CLEAT to monitor and profile climate impacts to the lake hydrodynamics and fisheries production.

Project PI

TAFIRI KIGOMA

Project Progress

Project Archievement

Dissemination & Capacity Building

Project Description

Feed ingredients for development of Aquaculture in Tanzania

Project PI

Ismael A. Kimirei (TAFIRI Kigoma Centre) & Godfrey Fabian

Project Progress

A total of nine experimental concrete tanks were successfully constructed at TAFIRI Dar es Salaam Centre. Three fish feed diets (Diet 1-fish meal and maize bran; 2-blood meal, maize bran, soy bean meal, sunflower cake and leucena and; 3- fish meal, blood meal, wheat bran and cotton seed cake) were formulated and used in on-site experiments where their performance in influencing Tilapia growth was assessed. Feeds 1 and 3 were found to perform better in terms of specific growth rates, yield, and daily weight gain. After on-site experiments, the results obtained were transferred to on-farm experiment in Arusha (Arusha and Arumeru Districts) and the results were similar to those observed at TAFIRI-Dar Centre where diet 1 performed better followed by diet 3. However, an economic analysis of the three diets revealed that diet 3 had the best profit index and benefit cost ratio (BCR) therefore deemed the most profitable feed. Other achievements include the training in Arusha on feed formulation, feeding, pond management, and data management, from 9-11 April, 2014. The training was successful and the participants (29) seemed to appreciate it since it was somewhat different from what they knew and did before this training. The water quality analysis for on farm experiment has not yet been completed. The third phase of this project will involve dissemination of results.

Project Archievement

The project trained 29 fish farmers and 4 district fisheries officers on feed formulation and pond management. The project featured in the Jarida Maridhawa programme which was organized by another COSTECH funded project . The results of the study were also presented at the COSTECH Annual Technology and Innovation Conference 2015

Dissemination & Capacity Building