Sustainability of Tanzanian fresh water fishing industry: case of Nile perch in lake Victoria

This study is set out to assess and analyse the sustainability of Tanzanian fresh water fishing industry using a case of Nile perch in lake victoria around Mwanza region. The E-Views 3.1 was employed on econometric analysis. The focus was to see how different variables like, fish export, catch per unit effort and fishing price are impacting on the amount of fish catch.It was found that, the sustainability of fish stocks is threatened by a series of activities including the open access fishery being a victim of excess fishing effort which seems to be growing even further while harvestsis flagging. Also as the catch per unit effort increase, the amount of fish catch also increases as a result the resources are over exploited, this eventually leads to unsustainable of the fish stocks.The study results revealed that the fish stocks need not be irreversible, fishery can be and often are-mismanaged to the point that productivity is severely reduced or even lost completely. On a more positive note, the fishery can be managed in a way that helps recover lost productivity to fufil the livelihood status of both fishers and other stakeholders. This will a stepping stone to appropriate international fishery trade.