Sustainable Fishing Practices and the Livelihoods of Fishermen in Rwanda: Evidence from Lakes Muhazi, Ihema, and Cyohoha in the Eastern Province
Mfitiryayo Jean De Dieu¹ & Nyirabanyiginya Angelique²
¹Department of Development Studies and International Relations, School of Social Sciences, Kigali.
Independent University ULK, Kigali, Rwanda
²Department of Development Studies, School of Social Sciences, Kigali. Independent University ULK, Kigali,
Rwanda
Email: mfitiryayo@gmail.com
Abstract: This study examined the relationship between sustainable fishing practices and household livelihood outcomes among fishermen on Lakes Muhazi, Ihema, and Cyohoha in Rwanda’s Eastern Province for 2020–2026. From 569 members registered with the fishing cooperative on each lake, 235 respondents were selected by proportional stratified random sampling (Muhazi, 38; Ihema, 43; Cyohoha, 154) and surveyed with a structured Likert questionnaire. Analysis used descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple and simple regression, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. Reported adoption was very high for most practices (composite means 4.42–4.58) but lower for aquaculture (M = 4.06). Eight of nine practice constructs correlated positively with the Household Livelihood Composite (r = .241–.533, p < .001); aquaculture did not (r = .066). The nine-predictor model explained 46.9% of the variance, with market-value practices the strongest predictor; Ha1, Ha2, Ha3, and Ha5 were supported, and Ha4 was not. Perceived outcomes did not differ significantly across lakes. Lake-level records show combined fish production rising from 8.5 to 19.5 tonnes per month and, with landing-site prices rising from RWF 2,500 to 3,500/kg, gross monthly income per member rising from RWF 73,276 to RWF 119,947 (63.7%) between 2020 and 2026. Ihema ranked first, Muhazi second, and Cyohoha, with the largest membership, a distant third (RWF 51,747 per member in 2026). Conservation compliance appears to support welfare most when combined with collective organisation, training, and post-harvest value addition.
