The influence of weather on fish catches on the Tanzanian side of Lake Victoria

Analysis of fish catches on southern part of Lake Victoria from 1970 to 1996 was done for the purpose of quantifying the degree of influence of weather variations on fish catches. Correlation analyses were performed between weather parameters (air temperature, precipitation and wind speed) and fishery data. Mean wind speed and air temperature were found to positively influence the fishery for Mwanza region. Rainfall was found to influence positively the fishery for Musoma (Mara region) while influencing negatively that of Bukoba (Kagera region), subject to a threshold rainfall value. Temperature indicating a more significant relationship with fishery compared to the other two weather elements studied. The results indicate that Temperature, rainfall and wind could be used as predictors of fish catches with a lead time of one to three months.