Fishing
Tanzania is exceptionally endowed with some of the largest freshwater lakes in the world with substantial fish resources. The total area of the mainland Tanzania is 883,749 sq.km, of which 53,480 sq km (or 6%) are freshwater lakes, leave alone the large and navigable rivers such
:
• Rufiji,
• Kagera,
• Ruvu,
• Pangani and
• Ruvuma
where fish is undertaken.
Tanzania owns 51% of Lake Victoria, 45% of Lake Tanganyika, 20% of Lake Nyasa and several minor lakes, dams, reservoirs, swamps, rivers and small ponds suitable for aquaculture
Investment opportunities exist in:
• Capture fishery,
• Fish processing and canning,
• Manufacturing of fishing crafts and gears,
• Aquaculture,
• Aquarium fish,
• Fish marketing,
• Fish harbours,
• Fishing supporting services.
A big market exists in European Union for the Nile Perch from Lake Victoria and unexploited sardines from Lake Tanganyika.
The most important species of fresh water lakes is:
• The nile perch (Lates niloticus)
from Lake Victoria.
• Others includes;
• Sardines from Lake Tanganyika – Stolothrissa Tanganicae and
Limnothrissa Miodon,
• Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis sp),
• Cyprinid pelagic sardines (Rastrineobola argentae),and
• Haplochromis for aquarium purposes.
In the marine waters commercial species include:
• Prawns,
• Lobster,
• Squid,
• Octopus,
• Sea cucumber (beche de mer),
• Cuttle fish,
• Sharks,
• Tunas and tuna like fishes,
• Sardines and seaweed.
