Context/Project Rationale:

? Lake Nyasa, situated in South-Western Tanzania is the third largest Lake in Africa, the 9th largest Lake in the world and 3rd deepest freshwater Lake on earth
? With a surface area of 31,000km2, is home to a greater variety of fish about 1,000 different species
? More than 700 fish species are endemic to Tanzania
? Lake Nyasa is shared by Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique and lies within a flyway of migratory birds that feed along its shores on their route between Africa and Europe
? Due to its size and rich biodiversity, the Lake is recognized as a global heritage site
? Over 50,000 people on the Tanzanian side depend on Lake Nyasa for survival and livelihood

Environment Management Challenges:

Scientists describe Lake Nyasa as a dying Lake due to the following environment management challenges: -
? Threatened fish species and decline in fish catches due to unsustainable fishing practices and poor fisheries management
? Deforestation of the catchments leading to sediment inflows into the Lake
? Land degradation caused by unsustainable agriculture
? Wide degradation of breeding grounds
? Poverty: Due to poverty conditions of the majority of fishermen, fishing is conducted in shallow waters due to low cost investment and life security.
About the Proponent:

NEN is an NGO. It was established in 2011. It holds a registration certificate No. 00NGO/00005065. Its main objective is to support Government efforts to conserve the environment and promote poverty reduction strategies. NEN is focussing on periphery districts like Nyasa to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the UN philosophy of reaching the furthest behind first. Under this project, it is envisaged that local communities, who are mostly fishermen, will be trained and supported on how to conserve endangered fish species and ecosystem-based management of Lake Nyasa ecosystem. This project is in line with the Government?s current efforts to revive, build and refurbishing fish landing sites and markets as per fishing Act No. 22 of 2003 and regulations thereof of 2009.

Project Primary Objective:

To restore endangered fish species through improved management of fisheries resources and enhancing livelihoods of Lake-adjacent local communities.

Specific Objectives:

? To contribute to achievement of global environmental benefits by conserving endemic fish species
? To promote conservation of Lake Nyasa catchment areas with the view to reducing siltation into the Lake and pollution from poisonous agricultural chemicals
? To improve fishing gear and infrastructures of small-scale fishers with the view to promoting sustainable fishing practices

Implementation Strategies:

? Improve capacity of Local Government Authorities to facilitate effective monitoring control and surveillance activities with the view to improving fisheries management in the Lake
? Support conservation of catchment and control of land degradation to combat siltation and inflow of poisonous chemicals
? Building capacity of women in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through development of sheltered processing areas and drying racks
? Support establishment of the Beach Management Unit (BMU) to promote greater involvement of local communities and private sector in sustainable fisheries management