Saving Lake Victoria: fishermen speak out

Apr 29, 2013

Matthias Mugisha talks to fishermen about what they feel should be done to save the endangered Lake Victoria.

  Until World Environment Day, June 5, in a campaign, Save Lake Victoria, Vision Group media platforms are running investigative articles, programmes and commentaries highlighting the irresponsible human activities threatening the world’s largest fresh water lake. Matthias Mugisha talked to fishermen about what they feel should be done.

James Mitigyakibira, 47, a fisherman at Kasensero landing site: Fish is scarce. There are too many fishermen on the lake. I used to get 1,200kg. Today, I get 20kg or nothing. I plan to become a farmer. March used to be the best season for fishing but now it is the worst.

Ben Mussuza, 42, a fisherman at Kigungu landing site in Entebbe: I have never seen this in my 18 years of fishing. The lake is being swept clean of fish and there is no enforcement at all. The small nets catching the immature fish come from outside the country, they pass all the border points and make it to the shops.

trueFred Kateraga, 27, a fisherman at Kasensero landing site in Rakai district: I have been a fisherman for many years but things are changing for the worst. I used to get between 800 – 1000kg of fish but the maximum I can get these days is 100kg or nothing. There are too many boats and the weather is unpredictable. I don’t know where we are headed.

Godfrey Ssenyondo, 18, a fisherman at Kigungu landing site in Entebbe: Recently, I came back with 12kg of fish after spending the whole night on the lake. The Government should take bold steps and fight illegal fishing on the lake. The fish is swept out of water when it’s still young.

Aloysius Ssebyuma, 34, boat owner at Kigungu landing site in Entebbe: I have three boats each worth sh25m including the nets. Imagine, each of my boats has 70 nets but bring only 10kg after overnight fishing. Simply put, overfishing and the use of small nets is killing the lake. The Government should disband the Beach Management Units. They are useless.

Edward Ssebyuma, 35, a boat builder at Kigungu landing site in Entebbe: If there is no fish, there is no money and fishermen will not buy my boats. These days, there is less fish and less money. My business is struggling. I sold only one boat in February as opposed to four. This is a result of poor fishing methods.

John Matovu, 47, owns Matovu and Sons company with 25 boats in Kasensero: Imagine a boat coming back with two fish and you have to pay the fishermen. We are in debt. Fishing is no longer viable. There is a lot of overfishing. We are raping the lake. We know the problems but cannot help because nobody owns the lake. I think the Government is the biggest loser. At this rate, fish will get finished in four years time.

Shaban Sebowa, the LC1 chairman for Malembo landing site in Rakai district: Fish has been depleted in the lake because it is now commercial fishing as opposed to fishing for food. There are too many people, too many boats and a lot of small nets. The situation is worsened by the demand of young fish from neighbouring countries.

John Bagorogoza, 65, a traditionalist on Musambwa Island: There will be no fish in the lake four years from now. There is a lot of illegal nets in the lake. The Government should get rid of them and get tough.

Alozious Nsamba, 38, the vice chairperson of Kasensero Beach Management Unit: Today, each boat brings 10kg after consuming 20 to 30 litres of fuel. I spend an average of sh200,000 per boat per day. I make losses every day. The Government should help us get boats and engines on soft loans; otherwise, we will end up in jail.

John Kayumba , the chairperson of the Beach Management Unit of Kasensero landing site: There is no fish because of illegal fishing methods. Some fishermen end up in Tanzanian waters looking for fish, get caught and pay heavily. It is near and you cannot know where the border is when on water. If they get you in their water, they confiscate the boat and fine you about sh2.5m. Last year, we paid over sh200m in fines. I used to have 36 boat but I’m remaining with only 17 because of Tanzania.

David Luyinda, Fisheries officer in charge of Kyebe sub county, Rakai district: We are faced with illegal fishing. We lack funds for monitoring and surveillance on both water and land. Each patrol on the lake costs about sh1m but we do not have that budget.

Godfrey Yiga, a boat owner at Kigungu landing site: The lake has been depleted of fish. There is a lot of pollution, over fishing and catching of young fish. Many foreigners’ come and engage in fishing activities with no concern about the lake.

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