Tanganyika is the third largest lake in the world by volume, exceeded only by the Caspian and Baikal. Tanganyika is also one of less than 20 ancient lakes on earth. Lake Tanganyika is the second largest lake in Africa. Although it is less than half the size of Lake Victoria, it drains an area approximately the same size (200,000 km2).

Much of the lake's coastline is high escarpment, falling directly into the lake.

One of the outcomes of the project was a Strategic Action Programme for the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika (SAP) which was developed through a process of stakeholder consultation and public involvement. The SAP outlines a regional framework for national and regional priority actions to achieve the objectives set out by the participating countries. As of 2001, priorities that had been identified included: urban pollution from Bujumbura, sedimentation from mid-sized catchments, overfishing in the littoral zone and habitat destruction.

Studying the biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika with national teams of SCUBA divers who conduct habitat profiles and censuses of fish and invertebrates is the foundation of the Biodiversity Special Study (BIOSS) strategy. 22 scientists from national research institutions, fisheries departments, universities, parks, and other collaborating agencies have been trained to SCUBA dive and trained in underwater research techniques.