Lewy Otwoma
Report of GLOMAR PhD student Lewy Otwoma about his research stay at the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Tanzania from 1 October to 15 November 2015
From 1st October to 15th November 2015, I visited the Tanzania Fisheries Research Insitute (TAFIRI) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to do a research stay in the fulfillment of the GLOMAR curriculum. TAFIRI is a research institute established to enhance fisheries research and development in Tanzania.
The main focus of my PhD is to assess the connectivity and exploitation of two surgeonfish A. leucosternon and A. triostegus along the East African Coastline. To achieve this I am combining genetics and population dynamics approaches with an aim of aiding management of these species. The research stay at TAFIRI was thus beneficial to assess the artisanal fish landings and understand how effective the fisheries management initiatives enhance sustainable utilization of marine resources. During this research stay, I worked with a fisheries expert (Patroba Matiku) from TAFIRI and several artisanal fishers from the following landing sites: Kunduchi, Bagamoyo, and Kigamboni. Upon arrival at Dar es Salaam TAFIRI, Patroba introduced me to the current acting director of TAFIRI Dr. Semvua Mzighani alongside other staff of TAFIRI.
During each day of the research stay I monitored artisanal fish landed by local fishermen through measuring length, weight, thickness, and height of fish caught. Using this data I could determine the growth and recruitment overfishing of dominant species caught by artisanal fishermen. Occurrence of growth and recruitment overfishing would suggest inefficiency of the current management regimes to ensure sustainable harvesting of fisheries resources. The artisanal fish catch was categorized for each gear to specifically distinguish between destructive and non-destructive gears, in terms of size selection.
In addition, I held several forums with artisanal fishermen from the three landings with an aim of understandings their perceptions of the current fisheries management initiatives. The experience during this research stay provided me with insight on the shortcomings of fisheries management initiatives in East Africa. This was necessary for my PhD project to propose management designs that address these gaps.
I am very grateful to DAAD that funded this research stay and TAFIRI for making this possible. I would also thank numerous fishermen that help me carry out most of the activities.
