A monthly suspension of sardine (dagaa) fishing during the full moon period, known locally as mbalamwezi, is yielding economic and ecological benefits for fishers around Lake Victoria. The ban, enforced by the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) and the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), aims to protect the fish during their peak spawning period.
According to a 2025 study by TAFIRI published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research, dagaa catches have increased by an average of 30% since the ban was implemented in 2020. Fishers report that the fish are now larger and fetch higher prices at market. The ban also reduces bycatch of juvenile Nile perch and tilapia.
Local fisher John Mwita of Mwanza told The Citizen in March 2026: "Before the ban, we would catch many small dagaa during full moon. Now we wait, and the fish are bigger and we earn more." The ban is enforced by beach management units and local fisheries officers, with fines for violators.
The LVFO has noted that the ban has also improved financial discipline among fishers, as they plan for the four-day break each month. Some fishers use the time to repair nets or engage in alternative livelihoods. The program is being considered for expansion to other East African lakes.
