Fish consumers in the border district of Busia are starting to change their attitude towards caged fish following a scarcity of natural lake fish.

Previously, fish lovers in the area detested caged fish, claiming it was tasteless and preferred natural lake fish whose supply has since dwindled following tough restrictions imposed on fishing by the Fish Protection Unit (FPU) manned by the Police and UPDF marines on Lake Victoria. 

“Our people generally dislike caged fish, but as of now, only a few of them can afford lake fish because of the high prices ranging from sh20,000 to sh30,000,” Patrick Kenyatta Wanjala, the chairperson of Busia market vendors also a fishmonger, said.

The scarcity has left fish lovers with no option but to adjust to caged fish which comes in all sizes they can afford. (Photo by Egessa Hajusu)

He said the scarcity has left fish lovers with no option but to adjust to caged fish which comes in all sizes they can afford.  

Fish is a delicacy among the predominantly Basamia and Bagweri communities living in Busia district.

On a good day, Busia fresh fish section receives about 20 tonnes of caged fish, which is mainly supplied by cage fish farmers spread along Lake Victoria in Masese, Mayuge and Musita as well as from Lake Kyoga.

A kilogramme of fish in Busia currently goes for sh7,500, but cage fish farmers sell at a relatively lower price on the open market.

A kilogrammes of fish in Busia currently goes for sh7,500, but cage fish farmers sell at a relatively lower price on the open market. (Photo by Egessa Hajusu)

George Sekite, a fish dealer in Busia, said the same suppliers have also planted their market in Sofia at the borderline with Kenya. 

Hassan Sekite, a leader in the fish section, said before the COVID-19 pandemic, Busia fish market was employing about 400 fishmongers, but the number has reduced to 250 traders.