Title: Evaluating and assessing the performance of Bulaga lacustrine protected area (LPA) on Lake Victoria, Uganda

Abstract

Mustapher Kalyango's final project will be published in due time. Until then we share the abstract and a link to a poster.

Lake Victoria supports diverse livelihoods and rich biodiversity but increasing human exploitation and habitat degradation threaten its sustainability. To combat these challenges, the Bulago Lucustrine Protected Area (LPA) was established on Lake Victoria, Uganda, as a sanctuary for severely depleted fish stocks, a breeding and spawning ground, and a biodiversity conservation zone. Despite its ecological importance, no studies had assessed its performance since its creation. This study evaluates the impact of the LPA on fish stocks using five years of quarterly catch and effort data from the LPA and 33 landing sites outside the protected area in Mpunge, Mpatta, and Koome Islands (Mukono district). Trends in total catch, fishing effort, and Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) were analysed across species and locations using scatterplots and simple linear regression models. Results indicated an initial rise in catch outside the LPA for all species, followed by a decline linked to increasing fishing effort. Southern sites experienced a more consistent drop in CPUE than northern ones. Within the LPA, catch and effort remained consistently low, and CPUE was generally higher for both Nile perch and Nile tilapia. Notably, CPUE within the LPA showed no significant influence on southern sites, but a positive correlation was observed between CPUE in the northern and southern areas, suggesting an early spillover effect. However, rising effort outside the LPA makes this difficult to confirm. The study recommends further research on species life histories, movement patterns, home ranges, and broader ecosystem dynamics within and outside freshwater protected areas. It also highlights the need to improve data collection systems and implement stronger measures to safeguard Lake Victoria´s ecological sustainability.