VLIR-UOS, VLADOC: towards sustainable fisheries in Lake Tanganyika: integration of genetics, environmental data and stakeholder involvement

The objective of the proposal is to improve applied biological knowledge of two key fish species of Lake Tanganyika, which provide more than 60% of the annual fish production (200,000 ton): the clupeids Stolothrissa tanganicae and Limnothrissa miodon commonly known as Lake Tanganyika sardines. Lake Tanganyika provides livelihood and food security to millions of people. This lake, the second-oldest and second-deepest in the world, is also a textbook case for evolutionary biology. We aim to increase knowledge of clupeid biology with an integrated, innovative and cost-effective strategy to monitor lake-wide and long-term trends in clupeid stocks with regard to the impact of climate change and overexploitation. Improved knowledge will allow to formulate specific management strategies for a sustainable pelagic fishery on Lake Tanganyika sardines.

CEBioS is within this project mainly involved in PhD student co-supervision, especially for the aspects related to field monitoring, capacity building and policy. We also contribute to the fish genetic aspects.

Partners: KU Leuven, Centre de Recherche en Hydrobiologia – Uvira (DRC) ; for the genetic aspects, we are supported by and collaborate with the Joint Experimental Molecular Unit (JEMU) of RBINS and RMCA.