Unbundling sustainable community-based cage aquaculture in an afrotropical lake for blue growth

Abstract

Cage aquaculture is rapidly expanding in the African Great Lakes Region, with the potential of boosting fish output while also providing food security, poverty reduction, and job creation. However, there is growing concern that the proliferation of fish cages in Lake Victoria will have a detrimental effect on the lake’s ecology. Using Lake Victoria, Kenya as a case study, the current study evaluated the sustainability features of a community-based cage aquaculture that are based on socio-economic, physico-chemical, biological variables and risks in the lake and proposed potential mitigation measures. The potential production carrying capacity was estimated to be more than 500% of current cage culture production, but subject to the use of good aquaculture practices (GAPs) and best management practices (BMPs) for sustainable lake ecology. The study suggests using a community-based cage culture framework, appropriate policies and regulations, to improve lake and resource management, as well as to guide cage culture businesses, improve security, and facilitate resource usage dispute resolution procedures.