Unique qualities and special problems of the African Great Lakes

The African Great Lakes were Turkana, Albert, Edward, Kivu, Tanganyika, Malawi, Victoria, and Kyoga. Their origin, morphometry and hydromechanics, plankton and fish production, and faunal diversity are described. The effects of human activities (fishing, pollution, catchment development, fish translocations) are also discussed. The lakes were vulnerable to pollution, and exploitation of their fragile fisheries required careful management. Cichlids appeared especially vulnerable to unselective fishing. Most alien introductions had unfortunate consequences. However, these lakes were of enormous socio-economic importance to the people of the area, and conservation should be realistically linked to legitimate development.