IN the small village of Kashenye in Missenyi District, Northwest Tanzania, Ma Helena (81), a respected elder, sent her grandson Kaimukirwa (12) to the lakeshore market to buy fish.

It had been a week since they last ate fish, relying instead on vegetables. With a 10,000/- banknote in hand, Kaimukirwa eagerly set out, hoping to bring home a decent meal.

As Ma Helena waited, anticipation grew. Her cooking pot was dusty, and her stomach grumbled at the thought of fresh fish from Lake Victoria. She reflected on the modest earnings from selling bananas and longed for a comforting fish meal.

When Kaimukirwa returned, her initial joy faded into disappointment. The fish was small, foul-smelling, and showed signs of contamination—his itching skin hinted at its questionable origins. Faced with a painful choice, she wondered whether to cook it or not.

Hunger won. She reasoned that a little poison wouldn’t kill them immediately. As she prepared the meal, memories of a time when fish were plentiful filled her mind. Back then, she could walk to the shore and receive fresh catches as gifts. Now, illegal fishing practices had severely depleted Lake Victoria’s fish stocks.

The old Swahili proverb echoed in her thoughts: “Mgaagaa na upwa hali wali mkavu,” meaning those who visit the shores find sustenance. Yet, times had changed. 

Reports from the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) confirmed her fears: indigenous species like Tilapia, Catfish, and Ningu were declining. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warned in 2018 that 76 percent of Lake Victoria’s fish species, including shrimp and crabs, faced extinction.

As Ma Helena cooked the fish, she mourned not only the loss of abundance fish but also the struggles faced by her village. Fishermen are now forced to go into deep waters, sometimes crossing into neighbouring countries’ territories unknowingly, leading to arrests and harsh treatment.

Local fishers claim they are often caught and mistreated by foreign forces while unaware of exact boundaries. Some fisherfolk from Igabiro and Lukoijo beaches in Bukoba Rural told the Bukoba District Commissioner Erasto Sima, during his visit in January 2025, that Ugandan authorities frequently arrest them, confiscate their nets and boats, demand bribes, and even imprison them. 

They admitted that they often couldn’t determine their exact location on Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is bordered by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.

Tanzania has the largest share of Lake Victoria, covering about 49 percent of the lake. The remaining portions are, Uganda – approximately 45 percent and Kenya around 6 percent

In Tanzania, fishing activities in Lake Victoria are regulated by TAFIRI and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.

The Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO)—a regional body under the East African Community (EAC), coordinates fisheries management across Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya to ensure sustainable fishing practices.

Kaagya Ward Councillor Stanley Ngaiza called for education on fishing zones and improved communication between neighbouring countries to prevent conflicts. In response, the DC promised a follow-up study to find collaborative solutions.

It is evident that fisherfolk cannot accurately determine water boundaries. While Geographic Information Systems (GIS) exist to define territorial limits, fishers lack knowledge of such tools. They are also unfamiliar with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, which could provide precise coordinates via smartphones.

Godfrey Kayungi, Chairperson of Kashenye Ward Beach Management Unit (BMU) in Missenyi District, highlighted a major issue: “Fisherfolk do not carry smartphones on the lake due to short battery life and poor network coverage. Instead, they use basic phones that lack location-tracking capabilities”.

Even if they had smartphones, many lack the knowledge to utilize modern navigation tools. Kayungi emphasized that neither government nor NGOs had provided any training, underscoring the urgent need for collaboration with tech companies and local NGOs to offer affordable smartphones and GPS education for fisherfolk.

Kayungi’s concerns highlight the need for government and NGOs to step in. Education programmes on digital tools and boundary demarcation could significantly empower fisherfolk, reducing conflicts and arrests.

When asked about the government’s holistic approach to addressing fisherfolk challenges, Kagera Fisheries Officer, Efrazi Mkama outlined several initiatives. He mentioned regular cross-border meetings among Tanzanian, Kenyan, and Ugandan fisheries officials aimed at promoting sustainable fishing and fostering regional cooperation.

Mkama dismissed claims that fishers lacked knowledge of boundaries, stating that beacons on highlands clearly mark territorial limits. However, he acknowledged that some fishers cross international borders during periods of scarcity, putting themselves at risk.

To address this, he urged fisherfolk to invest in education and modern technologies. He stressed that continuous learning and skill development could enhance their capabilities and promote sustainable fishing practices.

As Ma Helena finished cooking the fish, its aroma filled her home—not just as food but as a reminder of a broader struggle. The future of Lake Victoria’s fisherfolk depends on urgent action, education, and technology-driven solutions to ensure sustainability and security on the waters.