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Climate crisis drains life from Lake Victoria, leaving fishermen high and dry
Wadianga Beach in Sindo Town, Homa Bay County. Climate change is identified as one of the factors leading to the decline in fish production in Lake Victoria.
What you need to know:
- Water temperature is rising, and this affects fish life. Some species migrate to areas with more favourable conditions, making them harder to catch.
At dawn on Koginga Beach, a group of fish traders scans the horizon, waiting for fishing boats to return from their nightly expeditions. But as the vessels dock, the faces of the fishermen tell a familiar, grim story: another night of meager catches.
Instead of the bounty that once sustained entire communities, a single boat now returns with a catch so small it can't even feed five families. The celebrations that once greeted returning boats are a distant memory, replaced by an atmosphere of depression and desperation.
Wadianga Beach in Sindo Town, Homa Bay County. Climate change is identified as one of the factors leading to the decline in fish production in Lake Victoria.
Geofrey Ogolla, a fisherman for three years, has witnessed the decline firsthand. "When I set sail, my buyers expect a lot of fish. That is not the case anymore," he says. He recalls when he would return with up to 10 basins of omena (silver cyprinid), each worth Sh2,000. Now, such a haul is a rarity.
He explains that the lake's fish stock has reduced over the years, and the remaining species face numerous threats that are further diminishing their numbers.
Bramwel Otieno, another fisherman, explains that his team now spends Sh2,000 on fuel for a night's work, only to often break even or suffer a loss. "In the past, we would get up to 30 troughs of fish, which we would sell at Sh1,500 per trough. Now, we are lucky to get 10. Instead of fish, our nets often catch low-value crustaceans," he laments.
Fisheries experts point to climate change as a primary driver of this crisis. According to Michael Omondi, coordinator of the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), rising global temperatures are directly impacting the lake's ecosystem.
"Water temperature is rising, and this affects fish life. Some species migrate to areas with more favourable conditions, making them harder to catch," Omondi explains.
He adds that unpredictable rainfall patterns, crucial for triggering breeding in many species, have disrupted fish reproduction cycles. "Some fish species are on the decline while others are multiplying rapidly due to climate change."
Clifford Omondi, a climate scientist, elaborates on the mechanics: warmer water holds less oxygen and can lead to increased stratification, preventing oxygen from reaching deeper waters. "Warming also enhances algae bloom, which affects how fish reproduce," he says. These climatic pressures, combined with pollution and overfishing, are creating a perfect storm that reduces yields and threatens breeding cycles.
Also read: Kenya’s fish output jumps to Sh40bn despite Lake Victoria woes
The impact is not limited to small-scale fishermen. Major aquaculture firms like Victory Farms are also feeling the heat. After a decade of growth, the company saw its production drop from 15,000 tonnes in 2024 to 9,000 tonnes this year, partly due to climate change.
"Changes in the lake make it difficult for wild catch and for us as fish farmers," says company co-founder Joseph Rehmann.
He blames irregular land use as a major factor accelerating climate change and calls for greater resilience and adaptation to adverse weather conditions.
Victory Farms Chief Development Officer Caesar Asiyo emphasises that fish experience discomfort and stress from sudden changes in water temperature, just as humans react to extreme weather.
Adapting to survive
In response, fishermen and companies are turning to innovation. Victory Farms now uses drones to monitor water quality and deliver fingerlings to lake cages, reducing carbon emissions from boats. The company plans to introduce 26 million fingerlings into the lake by 2026 through drone technology. This will enable it to supply at least 2,000 tonnes of fish every month.
Asiyo notes that the company has also launched a reforestation programme and aims to recycle all its plastic waste.
“We have committed to planting 100,000 trees by 2028 and to recycling all plastics used in our fish production.
These initiatives are core to our strategy for protecting the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change,” he says, adding: "These measures are meant to protect the environment and slow down the effects of climate change. The fight against climate change is a collective responsibility. Let us all join hands.”
Clifford advocates for adaptation strategies such as climate-resilient fishing, improved aquaculture, and better water quality management to boost the lake's fish production. He bases this on data showing a significant decline in fish stocks due to climate change. "Policymakers and communities must adopt these resilient methods," he says, "to enhance fish populations and secure the livelihoods of those who depend on them."
On a smaller scale, fishermen are adopting solar-powered lights for night fishing instead of paraffin lanterns and are trialling electric boat engines to replace fossil fuels.
The fisheries expert also notes a key improvement in fish cages: farmers are switching from metallic cages to environmentally friendly ones made from hollow plastic.
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