Browsing by Author "Mmochi, Aviti J."
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Item Aquaculture Research and Development as an Entry-Point and Contributor to Natural Resources and Coastal Management(Taylor & Francis, 2010) Crawford, Brian; Celia, Maria; Portella, Maria; Ellis, Simon; Jiddawi, Narriman; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Camacho, Eladio; Dominguez, Guillermo Rodriguez; Rodriguez, Gustavo; Francis, Julius; Leclair, Carlos; Oze, Agnes; Hernandez, Nelvia; Sandoval, Erick; Aarroszewska, Marta; Dabrowski, KonradIntegrated coastal management (ICM) is often defined as some variant of the definition provided by Cicin-Sain and Knecht (1998, 11) as “a continuous and dynamic process by which decisions are taken for the sustainable use, development, and protection of coastal and marine areas and resources. ICM acknowledges the interrelationships that exist among coastal and ocean uses and the environments they potentially affect, and is designed to overcome the fragmentation inherent in the sectoral management approach. ICM is multipurpose oriented, it analyzes and addresses implications of development, conflicting uses, and interrelationships between physical processes and human activities, and it promotes linkages and harmonization among sectoral coastal and ocean activities.” Aquaculture is a wide-ranging economic development activity involving culture of marine or brackish water plants, animals, or microorganisms at some point in their life cycle. As such, aquaculture has traditionally occupied a primary place among development activities in coastal areas, and is rapidly expanding to supply protein-rich foods and other products, filling the gaps left by the decline of capture fisheries as the world population continues to grow. Growth is also expected as culture technologies and species development increasingly make new forms of aquaculture, such as off-shore systems, feasible. Aquaculture supplies approximately 47% of the world’s seafood supply and is the fastest growing form of animal husbandry at 6.9% per annum. Per capita production rose from 0.7 kg in 1970 to 7.8 kg in 2006 producing 66.7 million tons of plant and animal material with a value of $85.9 billion (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2008). Consideration of aquaculture within the context of ICM is critical as both become more important. Changes brought on by climate change will also affect the role of aquaculture along the world’s coasts, major rivers and watersheds. Aquaculture is often regarded primarily in a negative light when considered by coastal management programs, often ignored completely. Aquaculture is also often viewed as an “industry” responsible for habitat destruction, competing with other economic activities, displacing local peoples and their traditional occupations, and as an inefficient use of inputs and resources. Use of the term “industry” is misleading as very few forms of aquaculture are sufficiently large and consolidate, and geographically or structurally coherent enough to merit this term. Shrimp or salmon culture may merit this designation. Most aquaculture is conducted on a small to medium scale. FAO estimates that 80% of world aquaculture production is produced by smallholders (Subasinghe & Phillips, 2005). In fact, the lack of cohesiveness and sectoral organization is a major challenge for inclusion in natural resources management programs. Social and economic impacts are also commonly alleged to occur. This is a more problematic topic than the issue of environmental impacts since social or economic inequities or injustices are rarely well documented and are difficult to distinguish from similar issues occurring throughout a particular nation’s socioeconomic milieu. The environmental, social, and economic costs and benefits of aquaculture are highly nuanced and variable depending on which region, species, and form of aquaculture is practiced. The authors’ intention is not to debate whether or not impacts occur, to what extent or which sectors within aquaculture Downloaded By: [University of Rhode Island] At: 17:59 1 June 2010 240 M.Item Aquaculture Research and Development as an Entry-Point and Contributor to Natural Resources and Coastal Management(Taylor & Francis, 2010-05) Haws, Maria; Crawford, Brian; Portella, Maria Célia; Ellis, Simon; Jiddawi, Narriman Saleh; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Gaxiola-Camacho, Eladio; Dominguez, Guillermo Rodriguez; Rodriguez, Gustavo; Francis, Julius; Leclair, Carlos Rivas; Coze, Agnes SaborioRecent, fervent international dialogue concerning the existence and magnitude of impacts associated with aquaculture has had both positive and negative outcomes. Aquaculture stakeholders have become sensitized to requirements for improved environmental management of aquaculture. On the other hand, in some cases aquaculture development has been negatively affected by some of the unwarranted and unproved allegations to the detriment of the stakeholders most in need of aquaculture development (i.e., resource users, particularly the poor, who are dependent on natural resources). These resource users are targeted by, and directly influence biodiversity and conservation agendas; hence the need to understand how to gain their active participation. This discussion focuses on examples of how aquaculture research and development can be a useful tool or strategy for resource management initiatives and provide tangible positive including increased stakeholder participation and cooperation, offering alternatives to resource extraction and use in otherwise difficult or intransigent resource management conflicts.Item Aquacuture in Tanzania(2006) Michael A., Rice; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Zuberi, Lugazo; Savoce, Rebecca A.Item A Comparative Economic Analysis of Two Seaweed Farming Methods in Tanzania(Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, 2007-01) Msuya, Flower E.; Shalli, Mwanahija S.; Sullivan, Karen A.; Crawford, Brian; Tobey, James; Mmochi, Aviti J.Seaweed farming has become an established aquaculture industry in Tanzania over the last decade. It is a significant export earner as well as an income and employment generator in coastal communities where it is practiced. It is a sustainable form of aquaculture that has particularly benefited women and contributes to the governments’ poverty alleviation program (Bryceson 2002). In Zanzibar, it has become a major source of income for women farmers (Wallevik and Jiddawi 2001). While increasing workload, it also has increased their economic purchasing power as well as created more social empowerment of women (Ako 1997). The Tanzanian government has called for the aggressive expansion of seaweed farming in the recently adopted Seaweed Development Strategic Plan (SDSP 2005). The plan calls for the expansion of Kappaphycus alvarezii commercially known as “cottonii” (Figure 1) which commands a higher farm gate price than Eucheuma denticulatum, commercially known as “spinosum” (Figure 2). However, spinosum is more widely grown within the country since cottonii is more environmentally sensitive, leading to disease problems known as “ice-ice” and die-offs (Doty and Alvarez 1975, Uyenco et al. 1981, Collén et al. 1995, Largo 1998). Farmers have traditionally farmed cottonii using the peg and line method but the mortality rate can be high and following a die-off farmers can spend up to 6 months trying to produce seed rather than farming seaweed (Mmochi et al. 2005, Msuya 2006a). To combat the problem of cottonii die-off that is experienced when the peg and line method is used in Tanzania, the Sustainable Coastal Communities and Ecosystems (SUCCESS) Program has introduced the deep-water floating line method to the Msichoke group in Mlingotini village, Bagamoyo District, Tanzania (Mmochi et al. 2005, Msuya 2006a, 2006b). This method has been recommended as a way to increase seaweed production in Tanzania (Rice et al. 2006).Item Design and preliminary results of an integrated mariculture pond system (IMPS) at Makoba, Zanzibar,Tanzania(National Centre for Mariculture, 2001) Mmochi, Aviti J.; Mozes, N; Kite-Powell, H.L.; Dubi, Alfonse M.; Gordin, H; Jiddawi, Narriman; Kissil, G; Msuya, Flower E.; Mwangamilo, JMariculture development in Zanzibar Island, Tanzania, is limited by the lack of appropriate technology for local conditions and cost-effective solutions for preventing nutrient enrichment of the marine environment. An integrated mariculture pond system (IMPS) concept originally developed in Israel is considered as a possible model for mariculture development in Zanzibar. An experimental IMPS has been established near the estuary of Kiwani Creek at Makoba on the west coast of the island. Water supply is provided by a reservoir fed by tidal fluctuations in the creek. The experimental system consists of six ponds of 170m3 each, for the culture of fish, shellfish and seaweed. The ponds were stocked during June and July 1998 with 4000 fingerlings of rabbitfish (Siganus sp.) and with different species of shellfish and seaweed. Water quality parameters in the ponds, such as temperature, oxygen and salinity, were kept within acceptable limits by a periodic water supply. Fish were fed daily with a diet developed for this project. Preliminary results indicate reasonable growth of the fish but also mortality of fish, shellfish and seaweed.Item Determination of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Metabolites Residues in Fish Species from Eastern Lake Tanganyika(South African Chemical Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2018) Mahugija, John A.M.; Nambela, Lutamyo; Mmochi, Aviti J.In this study, the levels and status of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) residues in fish samples collected from Eastern Lake Tanganyika were investigated. The analytes were determined using gas chromatography equipped with an electron capture detector (GC–ECD) and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The compounds p,p’-DDE (4,4’-DDE), p,p’-DDD (4,4’-DDD), o,p’-DDT (2,4’-DDT) and p,p’-DDT (4,4’-DDT) were detected in all the samples, with total DDT concentrations ranging from 23 ± 8.3 to 339 ± 27 μg kg–1 fresh weight and 1736 ± 1388 μg kg–1 to 25 552 ± 4241 μg kg–1 lipid weight. The highest concentrations of total DDT were detected in Lates stappersii species. The ratios of the metabolites (DDD + DDE) to the parent compound (p,p’-DDT) were low (< 1) in all the fish samples, indicating exposure to fresh DDT. The concentrations of the DDT residues exceeded the extraneous maximum residue limit of 1.0 μg kg–1, indicating risks and concerns for public health and the environment because of the indication of fresh application of banned pesticides and bioaccumulation. There is need for continued monitoring of the residues in Lake Tanganyika environs and controlling the pesticides used in the area.Item Effects of Fish Culture on Water Quality of an Integrated Mariculture Pond System(Western Indian Ocean J., 2002) Mmochi, Aviti J.; Dubi, Alfonse M.; Mamboya, F. A.; Mwandya, A. W.Six mariculture ponds were flooded with seawater since 1996. During this time the ponds were stocked with finfish (milkfish and rabbitfish), which were fed on locally produced fish feed. Some water quality parameters such as temperature, salinity and oxygen saturation were measured twice a day for three years (1998 – 2000), while nutrient concentrations were measured weekly for one year. Both nutrient concentration and oxygen saturation levels have shown a trend indicating eutrophication. Oxygen concentration changed from an average of 7.16 mg/l in October 1998 to 2.2 mg/l in March 2000 with a negative linear regression of 0.69 during the morning hours. From August 1998 to April 1999 dissolved inorganic ammonia concentration increased by 9 mg-at N/l, from 8.91 to 18.02 with a positive linear regression of 0.79. During this period soluble reactive phosphorus increased by 3.55 mg-at P/l from 4.36 to 7.91 with a positive linear regression of 0.75. In this paper the rate of eutrophication and the limit at which the ponds have to be dried/limed before restocking are discussedItem Feasibility Study for Finfish Project in Mtwara District(SWISSAID, 2011) Mmochi, Aviti J.2.0 Introduction Aquaculture is farming of aquatic organisms. According to Khan, (2011) aquaculture is defined as the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants in water under controlled conditions. Mariculture refers to farming in the marine environment. Fish farming is the fastest growing means of food production worldwide at an annual growth rate of 8.8 % (FAO, 2006). Furthermore, 20% and 77% of all the fish consumed globally in 2009 came from marine and freshwater aquaculture industries respectively (FAO, 2010). The commonest methods of farming are development of fish ponds on land and in the intertidal areas usually behind mangroves and salt marshes where the soil is a mixture of clay, loam and sand and suitable for building dikes, cage farming in the lakes and oceans, and pens/happas. The candidate species for aquaculture are chosen based on their tolerance to environment and diseases, easy availability of seeds/making hatcheries and the market preferences. From the environmental point of view herbivorous and omnivorous/detritus feeders are preferred aquaculture species against carnivorous fish (e.g. salmon and prawn) because of the latter’s higher and costly protein intake as well as poorer food conversion efficiency. Carp is the leading fin fish aquaculture species in the world in terms of volume followed by tilapia and milkfish. While the contribution of Sub Saharan Africa to aquaculture is a mere 0.16% most of the space suitable for aquaculture outside Africa has been optimally utilized. Further expansion in aquaculture is synonymous to developing aquaculture in Africa. The main reasons for poor development of mariculture in Sub-Saharan Africa are the easy availability of wild catch and consequent low prices of fish. Mariculture in Tanzania is developing slowly due to lack of awareness of its potential in poverty alleviation, poor technology, lack of hatcheries, small prices for the products and its low priority in the national plan (Mafwenga, 1994). According to this author, the main reasons are easy availability of fish from the wild and poor infrastructure making the marketing of fish as well as development of aquaculture costly (Author‘s Pers Observ). In Tanzania both of these are changing with the prices changing from 0.5 in the early 2000’s (Dubi et al., 2006) through 1.2 in 2006 (Requintina et al., 2008) to 2 US$/kg (Mmochi, 2011) to date and road networks improving substantially. The prices are influenced by interalia human population growth, change in eating habits with growing consciousness on the effects of red meat, growing tourism, increased number of marine parks and reserves as well as tightened fisheries policies on destructive fishing methods. The current government policies and strategic plans are towards development of aquaculture in Tanzania. These include development of directorate of Aquaculture with assistant directors in mariculture and fresh water aquaculture respectively, development of the National Aquaculture Development Strategic Plan (NADS) and active sponsorship of aquaculture activities including Marine and Coastal Environment Management Program (MACEMP) and Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF). The national aim in aquaculture is to provide alternative livelihoods, to improve food security and generate income all in line with the 3 DevelopmentItem Feasibility Study for Finfish Project in Mtwara District(SWISSAID, 2011) Mmochi, Aviti J.Experimental pond finfish mariculture was started in Makoba Bay in 1995-1996 by the Institute of Marine Sciences working with partners from National Center for Mariculture (NCM) in Eilat, Israel and Woodshole Oceanographic Institute, USA (Mmochi et al., 1996). In 2001, Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) won a grant from the Western Indian Ocean Marine Sciences Association (WIOMSA) and conducted an Integrated Mariculture Pond System experimenting with milkfish (Chanos chanos), mullet (Mugil cephalus), rabbit fish (Siganus canaliculatus) and marine acclimatized Zanzibar Tilapia (Oreochromis urolepis urolepis). During the closure of this project IMS conducted a national stake holders workshop disseminating the information to partners in the coastal areas (Mmochi et al, 2004). Milkfish farming in Mtwara started in 2004 with pond farming in Mbuo following the training in Zanzibar which was attended by the Mtwara District Fisheries Officer. The efforts were also taken over by Mnazi Bay and Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP) who supported development of a demonstration pond in an effort to develop alternative livelihoods to the traditional harvesting of the marine resources. The endeavours were not successful (Msuya and Mmochi, 2007). In 2008, WIOMSA won a project from Regional Programme for the Sustainable Management of the Coastal Zones of the Countries of the Indian Ocean Countries (ReCoMaP) projects funded by EU. The implementation of the project was preceded by survey of the ongoing milkfish farming in Tanzania including Mtwara that was found to be scanty (Msuya and Mmochi, 2007). The main objective of the WIOMSA project was to develop one demonstration pond in Mtwara and support two others (By building the main gates) and training farmers the principles and practices of fish farming. At the end of the two years there were some tangible achievements. The two years project managed to develop a 1 ha milkfish demonstration pond and train 22 trainees on all aspects of milkfish farming including site selection, pond construction, pond preparation, fingerling collection, pond management, harvesting and marketing. The project further facilitated 3 othe groups by providing them with gates as a reward for good pond design and construction. At the end a total of 24 ha were developed in Mtwara District alone. The per ha annual production improved from the maximum of 1 ton per ha (Requintina et al., 2008) to a new record of 7.5 tons/ha equivalent to 10000 USD/year (Mmochi, 2010). There are therefore very clear indications that milkfish aquaculture is feasible. However, two years were too short to accomplish everything. Most of the ponds were not dug and farmers were satisfied in building the dikes. Accordingly, half of the pond areas are completely dry most of the time. Only 3 farms are producing more than 1 ton/ha/year which is thought to be economically reasonable but the remaining 12 farms are producing an average of 263 kg/ha/year. Interestingly the low production farms are also the most poorly constructed at a lower average cost of 840 USD compared to 2151 for the 3. A common problem facing all the farmers is availability of fingerlings. The farmers collect fingerlings from the wild with consequences to biodiversity. In some years, especially with shortage of rainfalls, there is are reported serious shortages of fingerlings and most of the ponds are under-stocked From the beginning of the ReCoMaP project to date the number of farmers and ponds have continued to grow. Because of the trends and following advice from ReCoMaP project, Mtwara fish farmers established a fish farmers union named “Umoja wa Wafugaji Samaki Mtwara” translating to union of Mtwara fish farmers. The newly established union has 404 members 152 of whom are women from 30 fish farming groups. The members are mainly from Mbuo, Ndumbwe, Kisiwa and Namgogori Villages out of the MBREMP conservation 2 area. Already six groups from the MBREMP conservation area have applied to join UWASA and it is hoped that all the groups from Mtwara will join. It is against this background that SWISSAID developed interest to try and help in the development of the project.Item Health problems related to algal bloom among seaweed farmers in coastal areas of Tanzania(Academic Journals, 2018-08) Said, Aziza H.; Msuya, Flower E.; Kyewalyanga, Margareth S.; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Mwihia, Evalyn W.; Skjerve, Eystein; Ngowi, Helena A.; Lyche, Jan L.There is a scarcity of research-based data on the factors associated with skin irritation due to algal blooms in seaweed farming. Changes in temperature with an increase in nutrients levels lead to the growth of harmful algal blooms, which produce many active metabolites, some of which induce toxic responses in human including skin irritation. The objective of this study was to identify health problems experienced by seaweed farmers and the seasons when they occur, and how these are treated. A crosssectional study design was used to gather data using structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The study was conducted between June and August 2015, in six villages, two from Mainland, and four from Zanzibar Islands, Tanzania. Study revealed that seaweed more than 50% of farmers experienced skin irritation problem, followed by 30.4% who had eye related problems, and only 19.6% had respiratory disorders as the most serious. Hot season, which is associated with algal blooms, was the period with the highest occurrence of skin irritation. No specific medication was used to treat the health problems reported. In some severely affected areas, farmers could not tend to their farms for months, a situation which affected their income. It is suggested that the findings from this study would reduce this knowledge gap and motivate stakeholders especially the policy makers to implement measures, which reduce the health problems observed due to algal blooms in the seaweed farmers.Item Levels and distribution of pesticide residues in soil and sediments in Eastern Lake Tanganyika environs(International Formulae Group (IFG), University of Dschang, Cameroon, 2017) Mahugija, John A.M.; Nambela, Lutamyo; Mmochi, Aviti J.The aim of this study was to investigate the types, levels and distribution of pesticide residues in Eastern Lake Tanganyika basin in Tanzania. Soil and sediments samples were collected from various sites in Kigoma region. Analyses of cleaned sample extracts were performed using gas chromatographyelectron capture detection (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Six pesticide residues and metabolites were detected, namely, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, diazinon and chlorpyrifos. DDT, DDD and DDE were the predominantly detected compounds in all of the samples. Diazinon and chlorpyrifos were detected in soil samples only. The highest concentrations of total DDT in sediments and soil ranged from 10.02 to 116 μg/kg dry weight (dw) and 7.5 to 564.2 μg/kg dw, respectively. Chlorpyrifos and diazinon had concentrations up to 36 and 184 μg/kg dw, respectively. The concentrations of DDT residues were greater in soil samples than in sediments. The highest concentrations of DDT residues were detected in soil samples. The ratios of (p,p'-DDE + p,p'-DDD)/p,p'-DDT indicated recent inputs in most samples. The study reveals that there were recent uses of DDT, diazinon and chlorpyrifos in the region. Continued use of DDT indicates risks and may result into serious environmental problems. The area therefore needs serious environmental monitoring.Item Pesticide use among smallholder rice farmers in Tanzania(Environ Dev Sustain, 2011) Stadlinger, Nadja; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Dobo, Sonja; Gyllba, Emma; Kumblad, LindaAbstract In an interview study conducted among smallholder rice farmers in Rufiji, Tanzania coastal mainland, and in Cheju, Zanzibar, farmer’s pesticide use and risk awareness were assessed. The farmers generally lacked knowledge or possibilities to manage the pesticides as prescribed by the manufacturers. Few farmers knew what kind of pesticides they were using and had never seen the original packages, as pesticides were usually sold per weight or already diluted without labeling. Protective equipment was rarely used since they were not aware of risks associated with pesticides or did not know where to purchase protective gear. Only half of the farmers were aware of pesticides’ health hazards and few associated pesticides with environmental problems. The pesticide use was relatively low, but based on farmers’ pesticide handling and application practices, health risks were a major concern. Most farmers did not believe in successful rice cultivation without using pesticides to control pests. However, estimated yields did not differ between pesticide users or farmers using conventional methods or neem tree extract. To avoid negative effects on human health and the environment, the farmers need basic education and better assistance in their farming practices and pesticide managementItem Pesticide use among smallholder rice farmers in Tanzania(Springer Science, 2010) Stadlinger, Nadja; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Dobo, Sonja; Gyllba, Emma; Kumblad, LindaAbstract In an interview study conducted among smallholder rice farmers in Rufiji, Tanzania coastal mainland, and in Cheju, Zanzibar, farmer’s pesticide use and risk awareness were assessed. The farmers generally lacked knowledge or possibilities to manage the pesticides as prescribed by the manufacturers. Few farmers knew what kind of pesticides they were using and had never seen the original packages, as pesticides were usually sold per weight or already diluted without labeling. Protective equipment was rarely used since they were not aware of risks associated with pesticides or did not know where to purchase protective gear. Only half of the farmers were aware of pesticides’ health hazards and few associated pesticides with environmental problems. The pesticide use was relatively low, but based on farmers’ pesticide handling and application practices, health risks were a major concern. Most farmers did not believe in successful rice cultivation without using pesticides to control pests. However, estimated yields did not differ between pesticide users or farmers using conventional methods or neem tree extract. To avoid negative effects on human health and the environment, the farmers need basic education and better assistance in their farming practices and pesticide managementItem The status and development of aquaculture in Tanzania, east Africa(2011) Shoko, A.P.; Lamtane, H.A.; Wetengere, K.; Kajitanus, O.O.; Msuya, Flower E.; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Mgaya, Yunus D.Except for commercial seaweed farming that employs 15,000 – 20,000 people, aquaculture in Tanzania is primarily small-scale rural initiative characterized by small ponds with size ranging from 150 to 500 m2. About 17,740 people are involved in aquaculture with 14,740 practicing freshwater fish farming and 3,000 in mariculture. Current cultured species include tilapia, catfish, milkfish, trout, crabs, pearl oysters and prawns. The government through the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development established a Directorate of Aquaculture Division to strengthen aquaculture. The directorate has already put in place a National Aquaculture Development Strategy (NADS). It is also strengthening the existing freshwater hatchery centres particularly the ones which produce Nile tilapia and catfish fingerlings in Morogoro Region. During the 2000s there have been improvements in the aquaculture sector in terms of training and research. During this period Bachelor degree programmes were initiated at Sokoine University of Agriculture and the University of Dar es Salaam. Also a Diploma Programme was initiated at Mbegani Fisheries Development Centre. The University of Dar as Salaam, Sokoine University of Agriculture, and Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute have been undertaking research both on-station and on-farm in collaboration with farmers and some Non Governmental Organizations. However, despite these initiatives, the sector is still facing several challenges including unavailability of quantity and quality seed and feed, difficult marketing environment (especially seaweed), inadequate credit facilities and poor extension services. In this article the current status and development of aquaculture in Tanzania are reviewed. Suggestions on the way forward for improving aquaculture in the country are also given.Item The status of pesticide pollution in Tanzania(Talanta, 2004) Kishimba, M; Henry, L; Mwevura, H; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Mihale, M; Hellar, HThe paper summarises the findings of recent studies carried out to assess the levels of pesticide residues in water, sediment, soil and some biota collected from different parts of Tanzania. Although the intention is to cover the whole country, so far the studies have focused on areas with known large-scale pesticide use (Southern Lake Victoria and its basin, TPC sugar Plantations in Kilimanjaro region, Dar es Salaam coast, Mahonda–Makoba basin in Zanzibar) and a former pesticide storage area at Vikuge Farm in Coast region). Analysis of the cleaned extracts in GC-ECD/NPD revealed the dominance of organochlorines in all samples. Generally, low levels of residues were found in areas associated with agricultural pesticide use but the levels in the former storage areas were substantially high. DDT and HCH were dominant in all the studied areas. In the former areas, levels of DDT in water, sediments and soil were up to 2 gL−1, 700 g kg−1 and 500 g kg−1, respectively, while those of HCH were up to 0.2 gL−1, 132 g kg−1 and 60 g kg−1, respectively. The levels in aquatic biota were much higher than those in the water most likely due to bioaccumulation. In the former storage area at Vikuge the levels of pesticides in the topsoil were alarmingly high. Their concentrations were up to 282,000 mg kg−1 dry weight for DDT and up to 63,000 mg kg−1 for HCH. A herbicide, pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-2,6-dinitro-3,4-xylidine], was also found at concentrations up to 41,000 mg kg−1 dry weight. Thus the total pesticide content in the soil was almost 40%. Following these findings the area is now earmarked to be a demonstration site for a proposed GEF project ‘Bioremediation of POPs impacted soils in 22 © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.Item Survival and Growth of Tilapia zillii and Oreochromis urolepis urolepis (Order Perciformes; Family Cichlidae) in Seawater(wiomsa, 2014) Nehemia, Alex; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Mtolera, Matern S. P.Abstract—The potential for Tilapia zillii and Oreochromis urolepis urolepis culture in seawater was evaluated by determining their survival and growth in seawater at 35‰. Fingerlings were collected from Pangani River using seine nets and reared in 1 m3 concrete ponds after acclimatization from salinity of 2‰ to 35‰. Fingerlings were also reared in freshwater as controls. Fingerlings were fed twice daily using commercial fish feeds (White Rose floating pellets), initially at a rate of 5% of their total body weight (TBW) and 10% of their TBW after two weeks. Their growth rate (length and weight) was recorded weekly except controls for handling, their growth being recorded at the beginning and end of the experiment. The average weight gain (g.week-1), percentage weights gain (week-1) and specific growth rate (SGR, %.day-1) were determined in freshwater and seawater. There was no significance difference (p >0.05) in the SGR between the two species in seawater. The survival rates of O. urolepis urolepis were 100% in freshwater and seawater and 89% and 96% respectively for T. zillii. This study showed that T. zillii and O. urolepis urolepis can survive and grow in seawater but the former is a better candidate for maricultureItem Weak Governmental Institutions Impair the Management of Pesticide Import and Sales in Zanzibar(springer, 2013) Stadlinger, Nadja; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Kumblad, LindaPoor pesticide handling practices and riskawareness among African farmers puts human health and the environment at risk. To investigate information available to farmers in Zanzibar (Tanzania), an interview study was conducted with retailers, and governmental pesticide importation to Zanzibar was examined. Pesticide retailers in Zanzibar did not have the necessary knowledge to safely handle or to advise farmers on proper use of pesticides. Licensed shop owners were rarely found in the shops; instead, untrained personnel were employed to sell the pesticides. Implementation of the legislation was weak, mainly due to lack of surveillance by governmental institutions. Poor governmental importation practices and unregulated private imports indicate serious weakness in the management of pesticide importation in Zanzibar. The situation calls for increased attention on the monitoring of pesticide importation and sales to protect the health of farmers and retailers, as well as the environment.Item Weak Governmental Institutions Impair the Management of Pesticide Import and Sales in Zanzibar(Springer, 2012) Stadlinger, Nadja; Mmochi, Aviti J.; Kumblad, LindaPoor pesticide handling practices and riskawareness among African farmers puts human health and the environment at risk. To investigate information available to farmers in Zanzibar (Tanzania), an interview study was conducted with retailers, and governmental pesticide importation to Zanzibar was examined. Pesticide retailers in Zanzibar did not have the necessary knowledge to safely handle or to advise farmers on proper use of pesticides. Licensed shop owners were rarely found in the shops; instead, untrained personnel were employed to sell the pesticides. Implementation of the legislation was weak, mainly due to lack of surveillance by governmental institutions. Poor governmental importation practices and unregulated private imports indicate serious weakness in the management of pesticide importation in Zanzibar. The situation calls for increased attention on the monitoring of pesticide importation and sales to protect the health of farmers and retailers, as well as the environmentItem Wild Black-lip Pearl Oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) Spat Collection in Tanzania(WIOMSA, 2011) Ishengoma, Edson; Jiddawi, Narriman; Tamatamah, Rashid; Mmochi, Aviti J.Abstract—Pearl farming is a growing aquaculture activity in Tanzania but requires sufficient young pearl oysters to make it feasible. Collection of spat in the wild is the most viable way of doing this and was tested to establish whether it would yield sufficient juvenile pearl oysters to support an industry. A total of 4263 Pinctada margaritifera spat were collected over a year at sites considered suitable for spat collection: Bweleo and Nyamanzi on Zanzibar, and Tawalani in Northern Tanzania. Spat “yield” exhibited seasonal variations at these sites in a pattern similar in annual trend at Tawalani and Bweleo but different at Nyamanzi. Generally, the dry season (June-November) yielded a higher number of spat than the wet season (December-May). During the dry season, Tawalani, Bweleo and Nyamanzi produced 877, 942 and 1176 P. margaritifera spat respectively, while, during the wet season, these numbers were 503, 730 and 35. A few other pearl oysters such as Pteria penguin were inadvertently collected at Nyamanzi during the study. Three different types of spat collectors were used during the study, comprising coconut shells, spat bags and rubber tiles. There was significant variation in the number of spat collected on these materials (P < 0.01). The yield was always greater on spat bags and rubber tiles than on coconut shells. The study showed that it is possible to collect sufficient numbers of wild spat for the culture of black-lip pearl oysters at some sites along the coast of Tanzania