Performance of Lacustrine Protected Areas (LPAs) on Lake Victoria: A Case of Bulago, Uganda

ABSTRACT The Bulago Lucustrine Protected Area (LPA) was established on Lake Victoria, Uganda, as a sanctuary for severely depleted fish stocks, a breeding and spawning ground and a biodiversity conservation zone. Despite its ecological importance, no studies have been conducted on the Bulago LPA since its creation in 2010. This study assessed the total fish catch, fishing effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE) within the LPA, as well as at 33 fish landing sites along the fishing line outside the LPA in Mukono District. Five‐year quarterly data were used to analyse trends across silver cyprinid, Nile tilapia and Nile perch. Results indicated an initial rise in catch outside the LPA for all fish species, followed by a decline linked to increasing fishing effort, with Southern sites experiencing a more consistent drop in CPUE compared to the Northern ones. Within the LPA, catch and effort remained consistently low, and CPUE was generally higher for both Nile perch and Nile tilapia. CPUE in the Southern sites showed no influence on CPUE within the LPA, while a positive correlation was observed between CPUE in the Northern and Southern areas. These findings suggest LPAs in freshwater ecosystems can contribute to species conservation and may facilitate a potential spillover effect from protected to adjacent fishing grounds, although confirming spillover remains challenging. The study recommends further research to understand species life histories, movement patterns, home ranges and broader ecosystem dynamics within and outside LPA, as well as regular collaborative monitoring and surveillance of fishing activities.