Manage lake well â€" fisheries boss
Dec 02, 2008
THE Commissioner for fisheries, Dr. Wilson Waiswa Mwanja, has called for the proper management of Lake Victoria to stop it from drying up.
By Esther Mukyala
THE Commissioner for fisheries, Dr. Wilson Waiswa Mwanja, has called for the proper management of Lake Victoria to stop it from drying up.
“We need to manage the lake positively to curtail what will happen naturally,†he said.
He was speaking at the first Lake Victoria exhibition organised by the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute at its headquarters in Jinja last Wednesday.
The director, Dr. John Balirwa, said the exhibition was aimed at showing the public what has happened to the lake over the years. The theme of the four-day exhibition was ‘Lake Victoria, the fishery and the environment through the years.’
Over 600 fish species are becoming extinct due to the rampant use if illegal fishing gear.
Mwanja said a fisheries museum would be set up to show the fish species in the lake.
He attacked illegal fishing, saying it had depleted fish stocks and affected over two million people.
“We are working with the Marine Police and the department of fisheries is taking the lead to fight the vice,†he said.
“Plans are underway to recall licences from fishermen who engage in illegal fishing. Next year, the Government will take over the responsibility of licensing fishermen.â€
THE Commissioner for fisheries, Dr. Wilson Waiswa Mwanja, has called for the proper management of Lake Victoria to stop it from drying up.
“We need to manage the lake positively to curtail what will happen naturally,†he said.
He was speaking at the first Lake Victoria exhibition organised by the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute at its headquarters in Jinja last Wednesday.
The director, Dr. John Balirwa, said the exhibition was aimed at showing the public what has happened to the lake over the years. The theme of the four-day exhibition was ‘Lake Victoria, the fishery and the environment through the years.’
Over 600 fish species are becoming extinct due to the rampant use if illegal fishing gear.
Mwanja said a fisheries museum would be set up to show the fish species in the lake.
He attacked illegal fishing, saying it had depleted fish stocks and affected over two million people.
“We are working with the Marine Police and the department of fisheries is taking the lead to fight the vice,†he said.
“Plans are underway to recall licences from fishermen who engage in illegal fishing. Next year, the Government will take over the responsibility of licensing fishermen.â€