Sambaza from the Kivu Lake

This sardine (Limnothrissa miodon) is endemic to Lake Kivu and Lake Tangakina, the waters of which many communities of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have used for fishing and based their livelihoods on. This small fish (ca. 6 centimeters) living in Lake Kivu is especially researched for its lightly salty flesh conferred to it by the salty water of this basin. Additionally, the very fine bones of the sambaza allow for its consumption without excessive previous cleaning. The women usually sell the sambaza directly on the lakeshores, while the unsold ones are dried for being used as a condiment or other culinary preparations. There are many factors menacing this species: there are uncontrolled and fraudulent fishing practices and environmental problems, like gas extraction plants operating on these waters. The presence of carnivorous species feeding on the juveniles of this species is another factor threatening the survival of this important resource.