Rwanda has missed out on its annual sardine (Isambaza) fish output target, meaning the country will continue to rely on imports for the supply of one of the population’s most popular delicacies.

Rwanda introduced sardine fingerlings (young fish) in the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo in 2019 with expectations to produce over 20,000 tonnes every year.

The move was prompted by the low output of this fish species in Lake Kivu, the only water body in the country in which sardine was being produced then.

The government stocked 650,000 fingerlings of sardine in Burera and Ruhondo lakes.

It had been projected that the lakes would produce a combined 500 tonnes every week if the sardine adapted well.

According to Solange Uwituze, the Deputy Director-General in Charge of Animal Resources Research and Technology Transfer at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), the fish did not adapt well to the two water bodies.

Months after stocking, a fishing trial that was carried out in 2020 where small quantities of production were recorded in Lake Ruhondo, meaning some young fish had survived.

In Lake Burera, no output was recorded, which demonstrated that the fingerlings had not survived.

Uwituze concluded that despite low output Isambaza can thrive in Lake Ruhondo.

However, he said, deeper research was still needed to come up with accurate recommendations.

He also said that persistent stocking of the lakes with sardine fingerlings was needed.

"Repeated stocking is to be organised using appropriate equipment, materials, and regular inspection of the fingerlings,” she said.

Targets and strategies

The government targets a fourfold increase in sardine production, but realising this would depend on a number of factors, one of the being observing proper fishing guidelines.

She added that fishers have to use appropriate and accepted fishing nets while the buffer zone on both lakes has to be protected against soil erosion.

"Restocking of both lakes of Ruhondo and Burera with Isambaza s to be done repetitively,” she said, "We will also stock other fish species such as tilapia.”

Sardine production in Lake Kivu

Rwanda produced 16,598 metric tonnes of sardine fish in the 2020/2021 fiscal year, a slight rise compared to the 16,194 metric tonnes which were produced in 2019/20.

The production of sardine from Lake Kivu varies between 300 tonnes to 500 tonnes per week.

In general, the total national fish production has increased from 35,670 metric tonnes in 2019/20 to 41,664 metric tonnes in 2020/21.

Rwanda seeks to reach 112,000 tonnes of fish output per year by 2024.

The country’s fish produce falls short of its demand as it has been importing more than 15,000 tons per year.

Producing 112,000 tons by 2024 per year could help Rwanda attain the average sub-Sahara per capita consumption of 6.6 kilograms per person per annum, and 265,600 metric tons to reach the global average of 16.6 kilos from the current per capita fish consumption which is at 2.3 kilograms per person per year.

The demand could be met by boosting fish production by introducing sardines in other lakes, investing in cage fish farming and upgrading fish ponds.