Lake Victoria Initiative

To reinstate hope around Victoria Lake

The Nile’s perch, first introduced into the Lake Victoria by mid 1950s, has developed economic activities affecting today directly or indirectly to a population of over 30 million people.  Unfortunately, most of the people living around the Lake Victoria do not actually benefit from these fish exploitation profits.

Consequently, we must face at least four major challenges:

• To establish a sustainable management of fish resources,   
• To prevent the increasing ecosystem degradation,
• To create a more equitable access to the benefits arisen from the Nile’s fish exploitation,
• To create a dynamic at a fishing communities level around the lake in order to undertake the best fishing conditions and engage a bargaining table among the region development key actors.

We have considered the activities for the next three years, as follows:

1.  3 aquiculture projects (two in Ukerewe and Bukoba, Tanzania; one in Katosi, Uganda);
2. Livestock projects for cattle in Katosi and Katebo, Uganda, and in Ukerewe, Tanzania;
3. Renewable fund investment to support saving and credit activities in Katosi and Katebo ;
4. Support and lobby activities to speed up the reality awareness about the fishermen’s traditional communities around the lake and influence the decision making processes within the three countries collaborating with de development actors;
5. An environmental education program in the Ukerewe Island five primary schools;
6. Improvement on the transformation factory conditions in the region of Kisumu (Kenya): at least three factories in the three years to come (investment, organization, and creation of women’s groups working in those factories).

Founding Documents:

• "Darwin’s Nightmare,” a Hubert Sauper film, 2005. 
• Lake Victoria Mission Survey, Gaebel, Vuarin, Segbenou, 2006.

Others documents of interest:

• Lake Victoria project: To Increase Hope Around Lake Victoria – Segbenou, 2008.
• Lake Victoria project: Summary of the three projects – Segbenou, 2008.
• Carrefour soutient les communautés de pêcheurs en Afrique de l’est, dans le cadre du développement durable. Carrefour Belgique, communiqué de presse - 4 octobre 2007.
• Carrefour Italia a decide d’interrompre la vente de thon rouge de la Mediterranee. Carrefour Italia, communiqué de presse.
• Le Groupe de restauration Elior renforce ses actions en faveur d'une pêche responsable. Elior, communiqué de presse. 9 juillet 2008.
• Conservation of fishery resources: Elior strengthens its commitment to responsible fishing. Elior, press release. 7 july 2008.
• La perche du Nil. Communication restaurant, Elior - 2009.