The Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) is renowned for its rich biodiversity, particularly its diverse tilapiine species, which play a vital economic role in aquaculture across the East African Region. However, the sustainable management of these aquatic genetic resources faces numerous challenges, including uncontrolled movement of genetic materials between species and environments that may pose severe threats to biodiversity. WorldFish implemented Component 3.3 of the TRUEFISH project. The key aim of Component 3.3 was to improve protection of biodiversity by addressing the key risks to the long-term development and sustainability of the aquaculture sector, by minimizing the risk of accidental or intentional introduction of genetic material, which can threaten native species in the wild. In the project, WorldFish supported the development of aquaculture in EAC Member States by strengthening the assessment of risks of loss of biodiversity of natural populations and establishing policy briefs, institutional, and regulatory frameworks for the management of biodiversity risks. Key achievements include 1) the establishment and support of the LVFO working group on fish genetics and biodiversity, 2) LVB tilapiine genetic screening research, which indicated biodiversity risks such as genetic admixture, introgressive hybridization, and inbreeding, 3) science-based recommendations/scientific policy brief, 3) aquaculture genetic management plans and guidelines in EAC, and 4) Capacity building in aquatic genetic resources, management, and conservation.
These achievements are paramount and contribute to improved protection of biodiversity in the EAC’s Lake Victoria Basin
Key words: Tilapiine species, genetic screening research, capacity building, policy briefs, Lake Victoria basin