At dawn in Kigoma, Tanzania, the first light reveals fishermen returning to shore with their catch, as women prepare to sell the day’s haul in the bustling market. Lake Tanganyika, stretching across Tanzania, the DRC, Burundi, and Zambia, is the world’s longest freshwater lake, teeming with life. However, recent years have seen a sharp decline in fish catches, with some research suggesting a significant decrease in habitable zones for fish. In response, the Tanzanian government implemented a three-month fishing ban in 2024 to help fish populations recover.
As the population along Lake Tanganyika continues to grow due to migration and high birth rates, the demand for fish is set to double by 2030. To combat overfishing, the government is promoting aquaculture as an alternative source of income for fishers. Tanganyika Blue, the lake’s first commercial fish farm, and other initiatives are offering training and support for fishers to transition to fish farming. However, challenges such as limited awareness of the loan program and the high failure rate of aquaculture ventures remain obstacles to overcome.
As climate change continues to impact the lake’s ecosystem, experts warn that fishing bans alone may not be enough to sustain fish populations. The shift towards aquaculture presents a “generational opportunity” for communities to reduce their reliance on fishing and ensure a sustainable future for Lake Tanganyika.