BWATHONDI, P.O.J.

Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, PO Box 9750, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. E-mail: tafiri@africaonline.co.tz

Tanzania, country of biodiversity

Tanzania shares three of the African Great Lakes with neighbouring countries, Lakes Tanganyika, Nyassa (Malawi) and Victoria, and it is bordering the Indian Ocean. As a result the number of aquatic species (as well as terrestrial) is unique, particularly the number of fish species. The African Great Lakes have been subject of many national and international research projects, each with its own results, management problems and constraints.

A comparison is made of the major findings in the lake environments, concentrating on management and conservation of fish stocks and biodiversity. The need for (ongoing and future) collaboration with international research organizations and institutions is stressed. Particular emphasis is placed on the requirements and constraints that a developing nation is confronted with in terms of research possibilities, human resources and finances.