Etude socio-économique de la pêche dans la partie Sud-Ouest du lac Albert (Ituri, RD Congo)

Une etude socio-economique a ete conduite sur 602 pecheurs repartis dans 16 camps de peche dans la partie sud-ouest du lac Albert dans le but d’evaluer les activites des pecheries. Dans chaque camp, les engins de peche ont ete identifies, caracterises et denombres ; et la composition des captures de poisson evaluee par type d’engin. 8 engins de peche ont ete identifies, y compris des engins prohibes selon la reglementation de 2016, notamment le filet monofilament et les nasses. La palangre (1343,64 ± 832,5 m), le filet dormant de fond (1053,05 ± 520 m) et le filet dormant de surface (766,26 ± 536 m) ont ete les plus utilises. La senne de tournante etait identifiee comme l’engin le plus productif, avec 183,18 ± 49,02 kg/jour pendant la bonne periode et 20,89 ± 12,94 kg/jour pendant la mauvaise periode), mais elle a ete aussi la moins selective de tous les engins identifies. La peche au filet dormant a donne une production journaliere d’environ 62,7 kg en moyenne pendant la bonne periode et de 10 kg pendant la mauvaise. L’occupation des zones de frayere, l’augmentation de l’effort de peche, et l’utilisation des engins prohibes etaient considerees comme causes majeures de la baisse de productivite du lac Albert. Il demeure urgent d’appliquer la reglementation afin de proteger l’ichtyofaune du lac. Mots cles : Organisation, pecheries, Sud-Ouest, lac Albert.   English Title: Socio-economic study of fisheries in the southwest part of Lake Albert (Ituri, DR Congo)A socio-economic study was conducted on 602 fishermen in 16 fishing camps in the southwestern part of Lake Albert in order to assess the activities of the fisheries. In each camp, the fishing gear was identified, characterized and counted; and the composition of fish catches assessed by gear type. 8 fishing gear have been identified, including gear prohibited under the 2016 regulations, notably the monofilament net and the nets. The length (1343.64 ± 832.5 m), the bottom fixed net (1053.05 ± 520 m) and the surface fixed net (766.26 ± 536 m) were the most used. The purse seine was identified as the most productive gear, with 183.18 ± 49.02 kg / day during the good period and 20.89 ± 12.94 kg / day during the bad period), but it was also the least selective of all the gear identified. The dormant net fishery gave an average daily production of around 62.7 kg during the good period and 10 kg during the bad period. The occupation of the spawning grounds, the increase in fishing effort, and the use of prohibited gear were considered as major causes of the decline in productivity of Lake Albert. There remains an urgent need to enforce regulations to protect the lake's fish fauna. Keywords: Organization, fisheries, Southwest, Lake Albert.