Life on Africa's biggest lake

Updated 6:14 AM ET, Thu January 17, 2013

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Photos: Life on Africa's biggest lake

Lake Victoria – Lake Victoria is Africa's largest freshwater body. It is shared by three countries -- Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.

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Photos: Life on Africa's biggest lake

Lake Victoria – Hundreds of thousands of people, mainly fishermen, depend on Lake Victoria for their livelihood.

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The massive lake, which stretches some 70,000 square kilometers, is home to more than 80 islands, where fishing is the biggest industry.

Photos: Life on Africa's biggest lake

Lake Victoria – The massive lake, which stretches some 70,000 square kilometers, is home to more than 80 islands, where fishing is the biggest industry.

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Photos: Life on Africa's biggest lake

Lake Victoria – But fishermen are often at risk because the lake's erratic weather conditions cause frequent accidents.

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Photos: Life on Africa's biggest lake

Lake Victoria – According to officials, some 5,000 lives are taken by the lake each year.

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The high death toll has prompted officials to implement a mobile phone service aiming to improve the delivery of weather forecasts and help vulnerable fishermen protect themselves from dangerous conditions.

Photos: Life on Africa's biggest lake

Lake Victoria – The high death toll has prompted officials to implement a mobile phone service aiming to improve the delivery of weather forecasts and help vulnerable fishermen protect themselves from dangerous conditions.

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