Characteristics, Constraints and Perspectives of the Fish Farming in Burundi

The fish farming was introduced in Burundi in about 1950s. Actually, several fish ponds were abandoned and many others were still unproductive. This study aims to present current state and perspectives of the fish farming for its real contribution to the socio-economic development. The results presented are compilation of physical and chemical parameters series measured in fish ponds and inquiries led in 2010-2014 to the fish farmers in seven provinces （40% of the total area of the country）. Weak values of some physical and chemical parameters showed that the majority of ponds are badly maintained. Thus, the dissolved oxygen values varied between 0.2 mg/L and 3.5 mg/L. The high relinquishment rate of the fish fanning （between 40% and 67% according to the provinces） could be explained by many constraints： no centers of fish farming breeding for various fish species and no production center of complete foods with local sub-products. About 75% of fish famers confirmed that they have never benefited framing in fish fanning. In spite of the diverse constraints, Burundi has a dense rivers system with favorable physical and chemical parameters and many appropriate sites for the fish farming. Thus, the main suggestions concern the sector reorganization.

Water quality and water-use conflicts in Lake Taabo(Ivory Coast)

The Lake Taabo (Ivory Coast, Africa) results of the construction of the Taabo dam on the Bandama River. The changes in the water level of the 69-km2 lake depend on 1) the rainfall linked to alternating dry/wet seasons;2) the extraction of water for human uses;3) the discharge of water from the upstream dam and the volumes turbined by the Kossou dam;4) the various anthropic effects (discharge of untreated waste water from towns and industries, and leaching from agricultural land). The average concentrations of nutrients (NH4-N: 1.1 mg/L, NO3-N: 1.62 mg/L, PO4-P: 10 mg/L, SiO2: 15 mg/L) and chlo- rophyll a (from 4.8 to 16.5 μg/L, average 11.4 μg/L) indicates some degree of eutrophication. The cumulated effects that threaten the ecosystem (degradation of water quality and eutrophication) are such that they are likely to interfere with various water uses. In a context of growing health and environmental concerns in Africa, this study demonstrates conflicts between different uses of this water resource and the urgent need for an appropriate policy including specific monitoring of lake water quality, wastewater control, and a programme to reduce agricultural fertilizers.