Hi All, For those familiar with the Uganda and wider African context, the real challenge is to those first cages to go in to the Lake, and then to develop a critical mass so that transaction costs of the nascent industry become competitive. To those trying to get aquaculture going in this context, consideration of carrying capacity and over-stocking is a "nice" problem to have.

Similarly the social aspects. If aquaculture can develop to a stage where it starts to impact on social indicators, then we have got somewhere. And yes, then considerations of equity and social justice flowing the use of a public resource are very real.

At this stage the overiding policy and planning imperative is to support and encourage those crazy pioneer farmers and reduce their risk and transaction costs so that they have a half decent chance of surviving.

There is a real risk (and I can cite many examples) of discouraging pioneer investment into aquacuture with too many regulatory hurdles and too few incentives.

This view in no way negates "responsible aquaculture" practise. It is just that a lot more public sector attention needs to be paid to the "carrots". The environmental regulatory requirements and social objectives are generally better defined. The public sector interventions and incentives required to address value chain bottlenecks, service sector establishment and instances of market failure beyond the control of the aquaculture pioneer are the primary challenges at this stage of aquaculture sector develoment.

Uganda has made some real progress backed by wise policy and support for aquaculture development. Now that the pioneer investors are "on the hook" what is required to ensure they succeed?

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Subject: Re: [Sarnissa] Uganda: Fishermen at crossroads as Government starts fish farming on Lake Victoria Ouganda: Les pêcheurs à la croisée des chemins que le gouvernement commence la pisciculture sur L. Victoria