Impacts of algal blooms and microcystins in fish on small-scale fishers in Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria: implications for health and livelihood.

ABSTRACT: Lake Victoria, bordered by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, provides one of the largest freshwater fisheries in the world and supports millions in small-scale fishing communities. Historical environmental change, including population growth, nutrient loading, introduced invasive species, and rising temperatures, has resulted in eutrophication and persistent cyanobacterial harmful algae blooms (cyanoHABs) over recent decades, particularly in the shallower gulfs, bays, and inlets. CyanoHABs impact fisheries and food web dynamics and compromise food and water security for nearshore fisher populations. In this study, we examine the social-ecological impact of freshwater blooms on fisher health in one of these eutrophic regions, Winam Gulf in Lake Victoria. CyanoHABs persist for months and produce

SUBMITTER: Roegner AF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11636159 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature