Paradigm shifts required to promote ecosystem modeling for ecosystem-based fishery management for African inland lakes

Musinguzi, Laban; Natugonza, Vianny; Ogutu‐Ohwayo, R.

doi:10.1016/j.jglr.2016.11.007

Cited by 15 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Modelling efforts could focus on using EwE, the most common framework for modelling aquatic ecosystems (Colléter et al., 2015). Many EwE models exist for most of the African Great Lakes (Musinguzi et al., 2017), but Lake Edward has never been considered for ecosystem modelling using EwE, whereas one model of the 1970s exists for Lake George (Moreau et al, 1993). Despite the gaps in data, this review showed that minimum information required to define functional groups for the models is available.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

State of knowledge of aquatic ecosystem and fisheries of the Lake Edward System, East Africa

Musinguzi,

Vranken,

Natugonza

et al. 2023

Aquaculture Fish & Fisheries

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Poor and unreliable knowledge of the status of freshwater fisheries limits their inclusion in governance processes, thereby impeding effective management measures. This threatens the livelihoods of people, particularly in developing countries. Improved knowledge is required to draw the attention of policymakers and stimulate effective management measures to accelerate the sustainability of the freshwater fisheries. In line with this requirement, this paper provides the state of knowledge of the aquatic ecosystem and fisheries of the Lake Edward system, East Africa, focusing on lakes Edward, George and the Kazinga channel. The state of knowledge was accomplished by reviewing existing data and information on aspects of primary productivity and water quality, invertebrates, fish fauna, fish life history and ecology, and fisheries. The waterbodies have been monitored since the 1930s, albeit sporadically, providing data on all the above aspects but with substantial temporal gaps. Adequate and updated data and information exist on the water quality status of the water bodies, extant aquatic taxa (including fishes) and fish catches but with uncertainties in the latter. Data and information gaps exist on the abundance of biotic communities, fish life history, quantitative trophic ecology and fisheries management reference points. The aggregated data and information can directly support decisions for fisheries management. We recommend regular monitoring to fill the data and information gaps, more comprehensive stock assessments and the development of aquatic ecosystem models.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

State of knowledge of aquatic ecosystem and fisheries of the Lake Edward System, East Africa

Musinguzi,

Vranken,

Natugonza

et al. 2023

Aquaculture Fish & Fisheries

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Perhaps most importantly, multi‐frequency echosounders allow the biomass of multiple trophic levels to be measured efficiently, and at the same spatial resolution, providing valuable data for food web models such as Ecopath with Ecosim/Ecospace (Langseth, Rogers & Zhang, ; Musinguzi, Natugonza, & Ogutu‐Ohwayo, ), and ultimately ecosystem‐based management decisions (Allan & Johnson, ; Link, ; Slocombe, ). In a relatively small lake such as Cherry, Eleanor, or Independence, the ability to survey large volumes of water quickly means that a virtual census of the lake's fauna is feasible.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal changes in the biomass, distribution, and patchiness of zooplankton and fish in four lakes in the Sierra Nevada, California

Urmy

Warren

2019

Freshwater Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Zooplankton are important components of lentic ecosystems, affecting phytoplankton, water clarity, and nutrient cycling, as well as transferring primary production to upper trophic levels. Many of these processes are temporally and spatially heterogeneous, but are difficult to observe at fine scales with traditional sampling methods. High‐resolution sampling has been especially rare in remote and high‐altitude lakes. We measured the vertical distribution of zooplankton and fish in four lakes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, U.S.A. (Independence Lake, Lake Tahoe, Cherry Lake, and Lake Eleanor) using a dual‐frequency echosounder, and estimated lake‐wide biomass in all lakes except Tahoe. For zooplankton, we also quantified trends and patchiness in their horizontal distribution. In two of the lakes, Cherry and Eleanor, surveys were repeated four times at seasonal intervals between autumn 2013 and autumn 2014. Zooplankton were most abundant in these lakes in the spring and summer of 2014, with peak wet‐weight biomasses estimated at 31,000 kg in Lake Eleanor in April and 68,000 kg in Cherry Lake in June. The biomass and vertical distribution of fish also varied, increasing and moving shallower in the water column in June in both Cherry Lake and Lake Eleanor. Zooplankton density was not horizontally homogeneous, displaying gradients at the lake basin scale (5–6 km), and nested patchiness at a range of smaller scales (0–2 km). This small‐scale spatial variability may be generated biologically, not physically. While it is well‐known that the distribution of zooplankton is often patchy, this aspect of their ecology has not been quantified in most lakes, especially in remote montane locations. These results illustrate how acoustic sampling can rapidly and simultaneously measure the biomass and spatial distribution of multiple trophic levels in small lakes. This capability provides unique opportunities to study the processes that generate and maintain gradients and patchiness in these components of the ecosystem.

show abstract

“…The catchment basin for Lake Victoria has one of the highest population densities in Africa (~500 people per km 2 ), and fishing is one of the few sources of livelihood for local communities (Ogutu‐Ohwayo et al, 2020). There is a need to better understand the trade‐offs among economic (fisheries profits), social (employment), and conservation (ecosystem structure and resilience) objectives in order to develop effective fisheries policies, though limited resources to support data collection, modelling, and fisheries governance and enforcement have hindered resource management efforts (Musinguzi et al, 2017).…”

Section: Case Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

It is past time to use ecosystem models tactically to support ecosystem‐based fisheries management: Case studies using Ecopath with Ecosim in an operational management context

Craig

Link²

2023

Fish and Fisheries

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The implementation of ecosystem management requires ecosystem modelling within the context of a natural resource management process. Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) is the most widely used modelling platform for investigating the dynamics of marine ecosystems, but has played a limited role in fisheries management and in multi‐sector resource decision‐making. We review 10 case studies that demonstrate the use of EwE to support operational resource management. EwE models are being used to inform tactical decision‐making in fisheries and other ocean use sectors, as well as to identify key trade‐offs, develop appropriate policy objectives, and reconcile conflicting legislative mandates in a variety of ecosystems. We suggest the following criteria to enhance the use of EwE and other ecosystem models in operational resource management: (1) a clear management objective that can be addressed through modelling; (2) an important trade‐off and a receptive policy context amenable to trade‐off evaluation; (3) an accessible and well‐documented model that follows best practices; (4) early and iterative engagement among scientists, stakeholders, and managers; (5) integration within a collaborative management process; (6) a multi‐model approach; and (7) a rigorous review process. Our review suggests that existing management frameworks are as much or more of a limitation to the operational use of EwE than technical issues related to data availability and model uncertainty. Ecosystem models are increasingly needed to facilitate more effective and transparent decision‐making. We assert that the requisite conditions currently exist for enhanced strategic and tactical use of EwE to support fisheries and natural resource management.

show abstract

Paradigm shifts required to promote ecosystem modeling for ecosystem-based fishery management for African inland lakes

Cited by 15 publications

References 31 publications

State of knowledge of aquatic ecosystem and fisheries of the Lake Edward System, East Africa

State of knowledge of aquatic ecosystem and fisheries of the Lake Edward System, East Africa

Seasonal changes in the biomass, distribution, and patchiness of zooplankton and fish in four lakes in the Sierra Nevada, California

It is past time to use ecosystem models tactically to support ecosystem‐based fisheries management: Case studies using Ecopath with Ecosim in an operational management context

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About