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Fisheries state minister Hellen Adoa says she did not stop the fishing of silverfish, commonly known as Mukene. 

Instead, Adoa says she called for the ban of the hurry-up fishing method that catches all fish species at once and in large volumes. 

Adoa's clarification follows calls for intervention from the fisher community, through area representatives in Parliament and Cabinet.

While addressing the media on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Adoa said last month, she banned the Hurry up method of fishing to protect other young fish species including the young Nile Perch, Nile Tilapia and all the three species of silverfish.

She said she has received complaints from leaders from the districts of Kalangala, Mayuge and Buikwe and some leaders from the northern region.

Following her directive, about 50 fishermen have so far been arrested, tortured, their boats and tools confiscated by members of the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) with claims that fishing of mukene was banned.

According to Adoa, although enforcement of proper fishing regulations should be undertaken, she didn’t order fishermen to stop fishing mukene.

While addressing the media on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Adoa said last month, she banned the Hurry up method of fishing to protect other young fish species including the young Nile Perch, Nile Tilapia and all the three species of silverfish. (All Photos by Wilfred Sanya)

“There have also been reports of increased enforcement activities against fishers by FPU, in the name of enforcing the ban on silverfish fishing. There have been reports that in some places, FPU has imposed a total ban on silverfish fishing. The FPU is right in enforcing the banned hurry-up method but should not stop general fishing of silverfish or other types of fish using safe methods,” Adoa said. 

She added that she advised fishers to revisit traditional and sustainable fishing methods such as “Kyoota” (scoop nets), and fishing of Mukene should only be carried out twice a month when the moon isn’t present.

The method according to Adoa prevents overfishing of silverfish and safeguards community livelihoods and economic benefits.

“These are measures which have for long ensured sustainable exploitation of silverfish. Therefore, where fishers are not using the hurry-up method, FPU should NOT stop them from fishing silverfish," Adoa added.

She said through sustainable fisheries, the dwindling fish cashes on Lake Victoria will rise again from the current 250 metric tonnes of fish caught annually.

To further iron out the misinterpretation, she plans to meet the technical fisheries officers including the FPU to discuss ways of how to improve community participation in sustainable fisheries and management at landing sites.