Vulnerability assessment of non-target species in Rastrineobola argentea (Pellegrin, 1904) artisanal capture fisheries in Lake Victoria, Uganda

The study assessed the vulnerability of non-target species in Rastrineobola argentea fishery in Uganda’s artisanal capture fisheries in Lake Victoria. A cross-sectional survey of 270 fishers at Katosi and Kiyindi (July 2024) was conducted, supplemented by secondary data on non-target species’ biology. We reviewed literature, interviewed fishers, and used physical observation to identify non-target species. A Productivity and Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) was performed to evaluate the vulnerability of non-target species in R. argentea fishery. Twelve non-target species were identified in seine nets, and four in scoop nets. Six species were highly vulnerable, while five species were moderately vulnerable and one categorised as low. Nine of the identified species were of Least Concern in the IUCN red list database and three of the species were identified to genus level and hence their IUCN conservation status could not be determined. The study recommends establishing bycatch landing threshold and size limit for vulnerable species. Further studies should investigate the life-history characteristics of the non-target species with limited or no data and increase the study scope to quantify R. argentea species-specific non-target species. Not applicable.