Geography

Topic area
Human and economic Geography
Sub-topic area
Economic activities
Key unit competence
By the end of this unit, you should be able to explain the impact of fishing on sustainable development of Rwanda.
Unit objectives
 By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• Define fishing and fish farming.
 • Identify the major fishing grounds of Rwanda.
 • Identify the factors favouring fishing in Rwanda.
 • State different types of fish and methods of fishing used in Rwanda.
• State the methods used for fish conservation and preservation in Rwanda.
• Outline the importance and the problems of fishing and fish farming in Rwanda.
• Identify different ways of improving fishing and fish.

Fishing  

Activity 13.1
 Work in pairs.
 Study the the following photograph provided and use it to answer the questions that follow.

1. Name the activity that is taking place in the photograph.
2. Discuss the importance of the activity to the people who practice it and to the country.
3. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Fishing refers to the activity of catching fish for food or as a sport.
Major fishing grounds of Rwanda
Activity 13.2
Work in pairs.
 1. Using a map of Rwanda, locate the major areas where fishing is carried out.
2. Discuss the importance of the fishing grounds you have identified to the areas where they are found and to the country.

3. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Fishing in Rwanda mainly takes place in lakes, rivers, swamps and ponds. The lakes in Rwanda include Lakes Kivu, Muhazi, Ihema, Cyohoha, Rweru, Burera, Ruhondo, Rwanyakizinga, Hago, Kivumba, Cyambwe, Nasho and Mugesera.
                         
The rivers in Rwanda include Rivers Akagera, Akanyaru, Nyabugogo, Nyabarongo, Rusizi, Mukungwa, Base and Ruhwa.
The main swamps in Rwanda are Akanyaru on the border of Burundi, MugeseraRweru in the south-east, Akagera swamp along the Tanzania border in the East, Nyabarongo and the Rugezi wetlands in the North and Kamiranzovu in the West.
Despite the numerous fishing grounds present in Rwanda, Lake Kivu is considered to be the major fishing ground in the country. It is located on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lake covers a total surface area of some 2,700 km² and stands at a height of 1,460 metres above sea level. 58% of the lake’s waters lie within the Democratic Republic of Congo borders.
Factors favouring fishing in Rwanda
 Activity 13.3
 Work in pairs.
 Use Internet and your local environment.
 1. Find out and explain the factors that favour fishing in Rwanda.
 2. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.

Activity 13.4
 Your teacher will organise a field visit for you to one of the fishing grounds or fish farms near your school. Work in groups of five.
1. Relate the factors that favour fishing in Rwanda to the specific fishing ground that you have visited.
 2. Find out from the fishermen other factors that favour fishing that are specific to their fishing ground.
3. Write a report on the factors identified and present it in class.
Some of the factors that favour fishing in Rwanda include the following.

(a) Availability of planktons
Planktons are food for fish. Their availability means the presence of different fish species. The growth of planktons is encouraged by the inflow from rivers that flow into the lakes. The water carries deposits that settle on the beds of the lakes and other water bodies creating ideal conditions for the growth of planktons.
(b) Good climate
Favourable climatic conditions such as ideal temperatures and the presence of sunlight encourage the growth of planktons as well as support the metabolism of fish. The sunlight rays penetrate the waters to the bottom of the lakes facilitating the growth of planktons that are needed by fish for their survival.
 (c) Presence of forests
Forests provide timber for making boats, and wood for smoking the fish. Rwanda is blessed with both natural and planted forests that provide products that are used in the development of the fishing industry. Forests such as Mukura and Nyungwe act as water catchment areas. They ensure continuous supply of water to the fishing grounds.
(d) Presence of fishing grounds
The presence of numerous lakes, rivers, swamps and ponds provide suitable fishing grounds in the country. They provide suitable habitats for fish and planktons.
 (e) Cool and well-oxygenated water
The fishing grounds contain cool and welloxygenated water that supports fish and growth of planktons. This is due to ideal climatic conditions that prevail in Rwanda.
(f) Availability of adequate capital
Capital is needed in fishing to buy equipment like fishing boats, refrigerators, fishing nets, refrigerated trucks among other equipment. The required capital has been made available to the fishermen through the provision of credit facilities such as through the Umurenge Saccos in Rwanda.
(g) Steady supply of labour
This has contributed a lot to the development of the fishing industry in the country. The availability of cheap and steady supply of labour has enabled fish dealers to gain huge profits which they re-invest into the sector.
  Political stability
Rwanda enjoys political stability and security. This has allowed economic activities such as fishing to flourish.
 (i) Favorable government policy
The government of Rwanda supports fishing activities. It provides loans, develops infrastructure such as roads, electricity and market centres for the industry. The government also enforces laws that favour fishing activities, especially those that fight against indiscriminate fishing methods and water pollution.
 (j) Availability of ready market for fish and fish products
 Fish and fish products have a high demand among the local population. There is also a ready and reliable market for Rwandan fish and fish products in the neighbouring countries, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
 (k) Improved technology
The advanced technology and improved levels of education has been beneficial to the industry. Improved technology has led to diversified fishing activities such as fish farming, fish processing and preservation. This has enabled the fishing industry to add value to the fish and fish products to improve their quality. This gives the fish and fish products from Rwanda a competitive advantage in the region.

Types of fish in Rwanda
 Activity 13.5
Work in groups.
Your teacher will organise for you to visit a fishing site.
 1. Find out the types of fish caught in the fishing ground.
2. Find out other types of fish that are found in other fishing grounds in Rwanda. You can refer to Geography textbooks and the Internet.
3. Write a report on your findings for a class presentation.

Rwanda is naturally blessed with a variety of fish species. There are more than 20 species of fish in Lake Kivu alone. Other lakes and rivers also have other species. They include the following.
• Tilapia
 • Mud fish
• Stolothrisa tanganicae
•Barbus
• Clarias
• Haplochromis
• Tanganyika sardines
 • Limnothrissa Miodon
• Lung fish among many others.
Methods of fishing used in Rwanda
Activity 13.6
 Work in groups of five. Your teacher will organise for you to visit a fishing site that is near your school.
1. Identify the fishing method(s) that are used in the fishing ground.
2. Find out reasons why the method is used there.
3. Find out other fishing methods that are used in other fishing grounds in Rwanda.
4. Give reasons why the different methods are used in the different places.
5. Write a report on your findings for a class presentation.
These types of fish listed are caught using different fishing methods. It should be noted that the type of fishing method used depends on the type of fish to be caught. There are two categories of fishing methods used in Rwanda. They are the traditional and modern methods of fishing.
(a) Traditional methods of fishing
These are the less developed methods of fishing that have been in use for many years in Rwanda. They include the following:
(i) The hook and line method
 This involves using a single line or fishing rod. The rod has a hook with bait at its end to trap the fish as it tries to eat the bait. This method is used to catch fish such as mud fish, and tilapia.
                           
(ii) The use of fishing baskets
This method is used in shallow waters like in swamps as well as in flowing rivers. Conical shaped baskets are commonly used to catch the fish. The baskets have small holes at the bottom where the fish enters in an attempt to pick the bait that is inside. Once inside the basket, the fish cannot escape. The basket is then removed from the water and the fish is picked.
                             
(iii)Use of scoop nets
These nets are locally known as lampara. The nets are cast in water and lifted up at intervals as the fish swim in water. When used at night, lights are used to attract the fish. This method is commonly used when small fish are targeted such as the isambaza.
                           
(iv) Cast net method
This fishing method involves the use of a circular net that is cast into water by use of hands. Fish are trapped and caught as they swim.
                           
(v) Spear fishing
This method is commonly used in light shallow waters such as in swamps, river banks, marshes, flood waters and shallow rivers. In these waters, the fish can be easily detected from the surface.
                                 
Spears are used to kill or injure the fish before they are caught. This method is mostly practiced when targeting the cat and lung fish along the flooded banks of River Akagera and in the shallow waters in the swamps of the Akanyaru area.
(b) Modern methods of fishing
In Rwanda there are few modern methods of fishing that are used. This is due to the small size of the water bodies in which fishing is carried out. It becomes uneconomical to use modern methods of fishing when the fish caught are in small numbers and the sizes of the water bodies are small. The most common modern method of fishing is the gill net method.
(i) Gill net method
When using this method, the fishing net is suspended in water by using floats and weights. The net hangs in water like a tennis net. It catches the fish by their gills as they swim. The fish are unable to move forward or backward. This method is commonly used to catch fish such as tilapia in various lakes of Rwanda.
                                  
Task 13.1
1. Define fishing.
2. Name five major fishing grounds in Rwanda.
3. Discuss the common fishing methods used in Rwanda.

Methods of conservation and preservation of fish in Rwanda
Activity 13.7
Work in groups of five.
 Your teacher will organise a field visit for you to a fish farm in an area that is near your school. In groups of five.
 1. Find out the fish conservation and preservation methods that are used in the fish farm.
 2. Relate your findings to the fish conservation and preservation methods used in other fishing grounds in Rwanda.
3. Discuss the effectiveness of the fish conservation and preservation methods in Rwanda.
4. Record your findings and prepare a report that you will present in a class discussion.

Fish conservation

Fish conservation refers to the protection of fish in the fishing grounds to maintain them and to prevent them from being depleted. It ensures that there is a continuous supply of fish which is an important resource. The methods used to conserve fish in Rwanda include the following:

(a) Using modern methods of fishing
 Some traditional methods of fishing such as poisoning, use of barriers and other crude methods are all being replaced by modern and improved methods of fishing. Modern methods of fishing allow for other fish to remain in the water for reproduction and continuous supply. The methods also ensure that only the mature fish are caught while the others are given time to mature and reproduce.
(b) Use of proper fishing equipment
 The government encourages fishermen to use the recommended sized nets that can only catch the mature fish and leave the young ones for a future generation. Fishing indiscriminately leads to over fishing and depletion of fish. The fishing equipment that are used by the fishermen are strictly monitored by the fisheries department to ensure that the right standards are adhered to.
 (c) Artificial hatching of fish
 This conservation method involves hatching the fish artificially in special ponds where they are well taken care of. They are then later transferred to lakes and rivers so that they can multiply. This practice helps to increase the number of fish reproduced. It also protects the young fish and the eggs against predators enabling them to grow to maturity.
 (d) Re-stocking
This is an activity that addresses the challenges of the over fished areas in Rwanda. Lake Mirayi in Gashora sector in the Eastern Province is commonly restocked with tilapia. The fish are protected and allowed to grow for about six months before fishing in the lake can be allowed again.
 (e) Mass education
The local population and the fishermen are sensitised on sustainable ways of utilising water resources. The information provided is on the use of better methods of fishing and on how to protect water bodies against pollution and misuse.
(f) Cross breeding
 The fisheries department in collaboration with international agencies has conducted artificial fertilisation of fish to get hybrids. The hybrids are then replanted into selected water bodies. This increases on fish species and sizes.
(g) Regulated fishing periods
This has become a common practice aimed towards the conservation of fish in Rwanda. Specific and fixed fishing schedules are put in place so as to allow regeneration of fish in the water bodies. It also allows the fish available time to grow to maturity.
Artificial provision of planktons
 This is practiced more in fish farms than in natural water bodies. The practice is aimed at enabling fish to have enough food to grow and mature. Proper feeding allows the fish to be more productive and to multiply at a faster rate.
 (i) Setting up strict government rules and regulations
The government’s intervention in fish conservation methods and programs ensures sustainable fishing. To do this, the government has enacted laws that regulate the exploitation of water resources including fish. Laws have been enacted to protect the wetlands and water bodies in which the breeding of fish occurs.
 (j) Protecting water bodies from pollution
 Measures are put in place to protect the fishing grounds from pollution. Harsh punishments have been introduced to offenders. There is also the introduction of cleaning exercises of the already polluted water bodies so as to make them more ideal for fish breeding. The water weeds such as water hyacinth be harvested and destroyed.
(k) Protection against fish predators
In areas where fish predators are in large numbers, efforts are put to protect the fish from depletion. The predators can be removed and relocated to other areas in order to allow fish to grow and multiply.

Fish preservation

 This is the keeping or storage of fish caught for long periods awaiting consumption. Fish is perishable and therefore needs to be well preserved. Before the preservation of fish, it is caught, scaled and the intestines removed.
The methods used to preserve fish are grouped into two. There are traditional and modern methods of fish preservation. Below is a description of the fish preservation methods practiced in Rwanda.
(a) Traditional methods of fish preservation
(i) Sun drying
This is one of the oldest methods for the preservation of fish. Fish are caught and the intestines are removed. They are then exposed to the sun for drying through dehydration. Dry fish can stay longer as it awaits consumption. This method of fish preservation is used by most fishermen around Lakes Kivu, Mirayi and Ihema.
                          
(ii) Deep frying
In this method, fish are first dissected and the scales and intestines removed. They are then dipped in boiling cooking oil until they become hard and dry. The boiling oil dehydrates the fish. It enables fish to be kept for some time as they await marketing or consumption.
                         
(iii) Salting
This is another method of fish preservation used in Rwanda. Fish is salted and packed between the layers of salt or brine. The common type of fish preserved in this way is tilapia.
                      
(iv) Smoking 
Fish are dried by the smoke or directly hung above the fire. This is done to dehydrate the fish by removing moisture from the fish. When it is done properly it preserves fish for a long period. This method is used by most fishermen in Rwanda.
                      
(b) Modern methods of fish preservation 
 These are fish preservation methods that involve use of modern equipment.
(i) Canning
 This preservation method involves application of heat to the fish that is processed and packed in tightly sealed containers. The containers are tightly sealed to lock out air and heated in order to destroy any microorganisms that spoil the food. When sealing, no air is left in the tin. This is because the dry air contains bacteria that spoils the fish.
                       
(ii) Refrigeration
This the major modern fish preservation method used in Rwanda. It involves keeping fish in very low temperatures. Sometimes, fish is prepared and put in packages that are put in freezers. This is purposely done to keep fish fresh for longer periods.
                            
Importance of fish and fishing to Rwanda
Activity 13.8
 Work in pairs.
1. Explain by way of discussion the importance of fish and fish farming to;
  (a) The people of Rwanda.
  (b) The economy of Rwanda.
2. Write down your answers and make a class presentation.
Fish and fishing are of significant value to the socio-economic development of Rwanda. The importance of fish and fishing are discussed below.
 (a) Fishing provides jobs to people who are employed in the fishing industry. They include fish processers, fishermen, fish mongers and fish transporters.
(b) Fish is as source of food that is so rich in proteins. Proteins are an important component in human diet for good health.
(c) Fishing promotes both local and international trade hence improving international relations and the balance of trade between countries.
 (d) Fishing promotes the growth and development of transport networks such as roads that connect fishing grounds and market areas.
(e) The revenue collected by the government through taxes in the industry is used in the development and provision of social services and facilities like schools and health centres. These facilities benefit the society.
(f) Fishing and fish are sources of income for people who are employed in the industry.
 (g) Fishing provides markets for other products from various economic sectors. Fishermen buy food stuffs from agriculture, timber from forestry and fishing gear and equipment from manufacturing industries.
Fishing and fish provide raw materials to different industries like animal feeds industries, fish canning industries, fertiliser-processing and cosmetic industries.
                     
(i) Fishing helps the country to diversify its economy. It provides alternative sources of income for the economy.
(j) Fishing promotes tourism especially in areas of the country where it is carried out as a leisure activity or for sports.
 (k) F i s h i n g l e a d s to g ro w t h a n d development of towns. In Rwanda, Rubavu town developed out of fishing activities. The Gashora trading centre is also developing fast due to the active fishing activities that take place in Lakes Mirayi and Rumira.
(l) The fishing industry in Rwanda offers a research centre for the fisheries departments in higher institutions of learning.
(m) Fish and fish products are a source of traditional medicines that are used by the people of Rwanda.
The fishing industry has influenced the government to set buffer zones around the fishing grounds. This has contributed to the conservation of the environment.
(o) The fishing industry has contributed to the development of other industries that have additional advantages to contribute to the economy. These industries include boat construction industries, fish processing industries and cosmetic industries.
Problems affecting fishing and possible solutions
Activity 13.9
Work in pairs.
                            

Study the photograph provided above and answer the questions that follow.
1. Describe the state of the water body that is shown in the photograph.
2. Discuss how its state affects fish and fishing activities.
3. Using the internet and other sources of geographical information, find out other problems that affect the fishing industry in the country.
4. Write down your findings and present them in a class discussion.
Activity 13.10
 Work in groups of five. Your teacher will organise for you to go on a field visit to a fish farm in an area that is near your school.
1. Find out the problems that affecting fishing in the specific fish farm and in the country.
 2. Suggest some of the possible solutions to the problems that you have discussed.
 3. Write down a report on your findings and discuss them in a class presentation.
In the recent past, the fishing industry in Rwanda has thrived. However, there are still a number of challenges that face the industry. The government and players in the industry have tried to come up with solutions to some of the problems.





Fish farming in Rwanda
Task 13.2
 1. Discuss five methods of fish preservation in Rwanda.
2. Explain the importance of fishing in Rwanda.
3. (a) Give five problems facing the fish industry in Rwanda
    (b) Provide the solutions to the problems in (a) above.

Activity 13. 11
 Work in pairs.
Study the photograph below and use it to answer the questions that follow.
                     
1. Describe the activity carried out in the photograph above.
2. State the difference between the fishing that is carried out in the picture above and the fishing that is carried out in lakes and rivers.
 3. Write down the findings and discuss the findings in a class presentation.
Fish farming is also referred to as pisciculture. It is the raising of fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food.
In Rwanda, fish farming is practiced in areas such as:
• Kigembe in Gisagara District
 • Rwasave in Huye District
• Nyagasambu in Gasabo district Below are some of the fish pond sites in Rwanda.

Activity 13.12
Work in groups of five.
Your teacher will organise a field visit for you to an area with a fish farm near your school.
1. Identify the fish types that are reared in the farm.
2. Find out the factors that favour fish farming in the areas under the study and in the country.
 3. Write a report of your findings that you will share with your classmates in a class presentation.
There are several factors that favour fish farming in Rwanda. They include the following.
(a) There is adequate capital that is needed for fish farming. This has been possible because of the credit facilities that are extended to the fish farmers in all sectors in Rwanda.
(b) There is a steady supply of affordable labour force that is important in the development of fish farming. (c) The climate of Rwanda is favourable for fish farming. There is adequate rainfall and moderate temperatures that are required for fish metabolism.
(d) The presence of a variety of water bodies favours fish farming. The water bodies include swamps, rivers, lakes and other wetlands.
(e) The use of artificial feed supplements the natural diet consumed by fish. This has enabled the fish to grow very fast and hence steady harvests.
(f) The presence of ready markets for fish in Rwanda. This enables the farmers make profits thus motivating them to farm more.
(g) The government of Rwanda has introduced policies that favour the fish farming. It offers subsidies to fish farmers and also provides them with loans to enable them develop their fish businesses.
  The presence of improved transport networks especially road transport has enabled the fish farming project owners to transport the inputs and outputs easily to and from the market centres.
 (i) The country has tried to modernise the fish farming. This has assisted the fish farmers to be able to use modern technology.
Problems and prospects for fish farming in Rwanda
 Activity 13. 13
 Work in pairs.
Study the two photographs and use them to answer the questions that follow.

(a) Assess the safety of fish in the ponds.
(b) Other than the problem shown in the photographs above, identify and explain other problems.

Problems affecting fish farming in Rwanda
(a) Some farmers over fish from their ponds due to the use of indiscriminate fishing methods.
 (b) Water in the ponds is polluted by the artificial feeds that decompose in it. The silt that is deposited by the run-off also makes the ponds dirty. Fish species such as tilapia can hardly survive in such ponds.
(c) Some areas where fish farms are located are remote and lack or have poor means of transport. This creates problems when accessing urban markets.
(d) The fish farms produce low quality fish. This reduces the demand for fish hence reducing the income of the fish farmers.
(e) Fish farming is a costly venture. This makes it unattractive to many people who might not have the required capital.
(f) Competition from those who fish in the natural water bodies.
(g) Lack of ready markets for the fish and fish products.
The fish predators such as snakes and sometimes crocodiles invade the ponds and eat the fish.
The prospects of fish farming in the country are bright. There is potential of expanding the practice and hence the profits reaped from it. This is possible with the support of the government.

Ways of improving fishing and fish farming in Rwanda (future prospects)
Activity 13.14
 Use the Internet, Geography textbooks, journals and best practices from other developed countries;
1. Find out ways in which fish farming in Rwanda can be improved.
2. Write down a report on your suggestions and discuss them in a class presentation.
Some of the ways in which the fishing and fish farming can be improved include the following:

(a) Development of new agencies that deal with fishing
The government should consider establishing more agencies to address the issues that affect inland fishing in the country.
(b) Development of a fish farming plan for the country
The government should draw a master plan that clearly shows the future of fishing in the country.
(c) Protection of the country’s fishing grounds
 The government should recruit more people to guard the fishing grounds of the country. The guards should be properly trained and given equipment to enable them carry out their duties well.
(d) Restoration and protection of watersheds
The government should put in more emphasis on the afforestation and reforestation programmes especially in the watersheds as a way of controlling the problem of silting in the water bodies.
(e) Control of water weeds
There should be a serious campaign against water weeds especially the water hyacinth. The government in collaboration with the local communities should look for ways of removing the already present weeds and to prevent others from growing.
(f) Restocking of over fished lakes
 The government should restock the lakes and rivers with low populations of fish.
(g) Purchasing feed-making machines
The government through fishing agencies should increase the production of fish feeds. There is an urgent need since fish in both natural water bodies and fish farms need feeds that are more nutritious in order to improve their quality and size.
  Commercialising fish farming
The government should continue to encourage the population to embrace commercial fish farming as an alternative source of income.
(i) Development of infrastructure around the fishing grounds
The government of Rwanda should develop infrastructure especially roads leading to fish farms, fishing grounds and markets.
 (j) Increasing sheltered places
The government should plan to build various sheltered and well facilitated places where the fishermen can store and preserve their catch as they await marketing.
(k) Establishment of regional fishery promotion centres
The government should plan to increase fishery promotion centres throughout the country.
 (l) Increasing the fish hatchery centres
The government should plan to establish more places where improved breeds of fish can be hatched and the fingerlings sold or given to the locals for free.
(m) Introduction of new and improved breeds of fish
Intensive research should be conducted especially on crossing-breeding fish species. This is aimed at introducing new and improved species of fish which will mature fast within a short time.
Emphasising cage fishing
The government should emphasise fish farming using cages in various lakes. These will add on to already established cages.

Future prospects
Currently, both the production levels of fish and the produce’s market are promising. Fishing is a technologically-oriented business. Much of the private sector should be involved in it but with advisory services from the government. The government should come up with a special centre to manage and take care of the fishing sector.
Activity 13.15
Work in groups. With the guidance of your teacher and a professional resource person from the government fisheries department in the sector where your school is located;
1. Come up with a proposal for a fish farming project in your school. Share your project proposal with the management of your school.
2. Dig up a fish pond and ask for a supply of fingerlings from the fisheries department.
3. Seek for assistance from your school administration to provide you with the fish feeds before the first harvest.
4. Seek for professional advice on how to take care of the fish up to when they are ready for harvesting.
5. Sell the fish to the nearby market or to your school to supplement the school’s diet.
 6. Write up a report on the project and share it in a class presentation.

Task 13.3
1. Describe the state of fish farming in Rwanda.
2. Explain five factors that favour fishing in Rwanda.
3. (a) Discuss five problems that affect fish farming in Rwanda.
    (b) Give solutions to the problems highlighted in (a) above.

Case studies
 Fishing in Lake Kivu
This is one of the great lakes of Africa. It is situated in the Albertine Rift which is part of the Western arm of the East African Rift valley. It is the largest lake in Rwanda, covering a total surface area of about 2700 km² . It is located on an elevation of 1460 metres above the sea level. It is 89 kilometres in length and 48 kilometres in width. Its water volume is about 500 km³ . The lake is 480 metres deep. It hosts an island known as Idjwi. The shore of the Lake on the Rwandan side is made up of Rubavu, Karongi and Rusizi.
                           
Lake Kivu has well-organised and closely monitored fishing activities. Fishing is regulated especially when the fish population shows signs of dropping or when the new fingerlings have been introduced. Fishing in the lake is for commercial purposes. Cage fish farming has also taken a lead in the lake.
Lake Kivu has about 28 species of fish. To boost the fish species, the government has introduced the following new species:
• The longfin tilapia
• Oreochromis leucostictus tilapia
• Redbreast tilapia
Fishing on Lake Rweru
This lake is located along the border of Rwanda and Burundi. The lake covers a surface area of about 100 km² . The Rwandan part has a total surface of 20 km² . Lake Rweru is shallow and its depth is estimated to be between 2.1 – 3.9 metres. The lake has numerous swampy areas with dense papyrus vegetation that occupy most of the areas near the lake. There are also several floating islands.
The lake is threatened by water weeds especially the water hyacinth. The weed is steadily spreading on to River Akagera. Fishing is less developed on this lake. The total annual fish output is at between 200- 250 tonnes. The fishery policies are not fully implemented on the lake due to the challenges associated with it. The effects of the political turmoil in Burundi and the constant in-coming of alien fishermen from Burundi who use non-recommendable fishing methods that tend to overfish the Rwandan territorial waters are great challenges in the lake.

Fishing in Lake Ihema
Lake Ihema is located to the south of the Akagera National Park in the savanna grasslands of the Eastern Province. It covers a total area of about 90 kilometres, with an elevation that stands at 1292 metres above sea level. Lake Ihema is a shallow lake with the depth of between 5-7 metres.
It has a wide range of biodiversity, but fish is limited. The lake is bordered by swamps and papyrus vegetation which have provided excellent sites for a number of flora and fauna. The lake is bordered on its eastern side by Tanzania. Lake Ihema is known for its habitable conditions that favour the presence of hippopotamus and crocodiles.
There was restricted fishing on the lake in the past years. However, recently the government allowed fishing and started restocking the lake with new fingerlings in order to enrich it. Fishing on the lake is affected by water weeds especially the water hyacinth. The weeds have affected the quality of water in the lake. The weeds host a lot of snakes and crocodiles that contribute to the reduction of the population of fish. The few fish that are present are overfished. All these challenges have had negative effects on the fishing operations and the general biodiversity in the lake.
Did you know?
 • Fishing in Rwanda is mostly practiced in Lake Kivu.
• Fishing in Rwanda is mostly for the purposes of self consumption.
 • The presence of methane-producing organisms in Lake Kivu limits the development of aquatic life.
 • Fishing in Rwanda is underexploited. Lake Kivu is well-stocked and could support an annual catch of 5,000 tonnes.
• The potential of Lake Ihema is also underutilised.

End of unit revision task

1. (a) Define fishing. (b) Name the major fishing grounds of Rwanda.
 2. Discuss five factors that favour fishing in Rwanda.
 3. (a) Name five types of fish found in the fishing grounds of Rwanda.
(b) Describe the common methods of fishing in Rwanda.
4. (a) What is fish conservation?
     (b) State five measures used by the government to conserve fish.
      (c) State and describe five methods of fish preservation used in Rwanda.
5. Evaluate the contribution of fishing to the economy of Rwanda.
6. Highlight four problems that affect the fishing industry in Rwanda and suggest solutions to the problems listed.
7. The fishing industry in Rwanda has flourished in the recent years. Discuss some of the factors that have favoured its growth and development.
 8. (a) What is fish farming?
      (b) Explain five problems that affect fish farming in the country and suggest their solutions.
      (c) Discuss the future prospects of fishing in Rwanda.
9. In what way can fishing and fish farming be improved in Rwanda?