Since its introduction into Lake Victoria in the 1950’s, the Nile perch has made dramatic changes to both the local population and the environment of the region. The predator has caused the endangerment or extinction of several hundred native species of other fish and altered the ecosystem, effecting the lives of the locals.
As the fishing in the region became a commercial, large scale industry, local subsistence fisheries went out of business creating economic refugees. This was one of many factors contributing to the growth of urban slums in Africa in the late 20th century (my story on poverty in Kenya will be posted on this blog in the coming weeks). In addition, the locally manufactured fishing nets used before the introduction of the Nile perch could not hold the weight of the larger fish and needed to be replaced by costly imports, which takes even more jobs away from the region.
Because the Nile perch have a higher body fat content than the cichlids that originally inhabited the region, they need to be smoked instead of dried otherwise they will spoil. In an area already suffering from severe deforestation, the demand for firewood to smoke the fish creates even more stress on the environment and local population by reducing resources and adding to soil erosion and the increased chance for natural disasters. Emissions from the burning wood also have an effect on air pollution, which is already severe in many cities in Kenya.
Although the exportation of Nile perch has brought some degree of economic success to the region, it has also brought a great deal of strife. Planes that export the fish to Europe often enter the region carrying weapons as their cargo, which adds to instability and human suffering throughout Africa.
During my stay in Kenya I spent some time in the Dunga Beach fishing area outside of Kisumu, taking a look at their fishing industry. It is worth mentioning that this is a highly controversial subject matter, as it is hard to quantify the actual negative effects of Nile perch versus the benefits and there is data to support both arguments.
A fisherman is reflected in a pool of water on the banks of Lake Victoria in Kenya as he cleans his fishing net.
Fishing boats beginning a days work on the lake.
Women wait on the lake shore for the fishermen to return with the days catch.
A fishing boat docked in the harbor.
Inside the Dunga Beach Fishermans Co-op.
Nile perch lie dead on a butcher table awaiting transport to local markets.
Fishermen fold and inspect their nets for holes in preparation for the night shift as a storm moves over the lake.
A fishing net with stitched holes lies on the ground for inspection.
Fishermen set out for a long night shift.
Children gather reeds which are later woven into baskets which carry the Nile perch to markets and air transport.
Fishermen loading a net onto a boat.
Water Hyacinth in bloom on Lake Victoria.
Damaged and abandoned fishing boats on the banks of the lake.
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As always your stunning images relate the human side of the story, and in this case the story told by natural world as well.
The introduction of non-native species always has an effect on the environment - sometimes beneficial, but often harmful.
Thank you for bringing this story to us.
Posted by: Helen Bascom | March 17, 2009 at 14:59
Your images are riveting. They are absolutely necessary to hold your stories together and I am inspired by them. Thank you for your dedication to what you do and for your incredible skill as a journalist and story teller. I think that many people would find it difficult to make a story like this newsworthy and relevant but you showed no sign of struggle in this department. Well done, and thank you.
Posted by: Emily Agenjo | April 21, 2009 at 08:38
Going fishing, every angler, regardless of their biases and preferences in methods of fishing, is interested in the success of this event. And if the purpose of fishing is not unrestrained libation, then under the term "successful fishing" will catch fish, but better - the trophy. However, there are a number of problems that hamper the process to bring the fishing to the desired logical conclusion. An experienced fisherman will try to analyze the situation and draw the right conclusions, but most so-called "dummies" to analyze the reasons for failure are less likely, citing the results of a failure of fishing by any arguments, but only improper failures. This continues until, as long as one of the "besklevnyh" days they are not met the angler with a decent catch. Then, in their minds will begin to creep into vague thoughts: "Why does it have a bite, but I do not have?" An interesting question to which answers do not lie in the inner "bins and caches, and are often on the surface, it is important just in time to find them.
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Posted by: running shoes sale | June 23, 2010 at 03:19
Wow great pictures, makes me want to go there. The boats are so cool and it looks like a fabulous relaxed way of life.
Posted by: Mark | August 02, 2010 at 11:34
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