Govt issues licences for fishnet manufacturers 

The directorate of fisheries resources in the ministry of agriculture has authorised two companies to start manufacturing fishing nets in Uganda.

This is one of the efforts the Government has embarked on to stop use of poor quality fishing nets and illegal fishing in Uganda.  

This was revealed by the acting director of fisheries resources in the agriculture ministry, Dr Edward Rukunya while briefing the press on the ministry's strategic interventions to curb illegal fishing on the lake.

The companies that have been licensed include Uganda Fishnet Manufactures Limited and Victoria Limited based in Rakai district. The two were considered as per government's call of promoting local manufactures through the Buy Uganda Build Policy.

"It is easier to monitor net production in your own country and set standards, ensure compliance, as for the fate of imported nets, we are in talks with the ministry of trade on the way forward," said Rukunya.

The factories should be able to manufacture at least six million fishing nets to reduce the number of illegal fishing gear on major fishing water bodies like Lake Victoria, Rukunya added.

He explained that illegal fishing has led to decline in fish catches on water bodies. For example Lake Kyoga used to produce 167,000 tonnes of fish annually in 1980's, but now produces 50,000 tonnes annually.

Management of Kariba weed

Rukunya also said plans are underway to introduce a salvinia weevil, used as a biological pest control against Kariba weed. The weevil that eats up the weed, said to be giving headache to fish productivity

"It is currently undergoing scrutiny by researchers at the National Crop Research Resource's Institute (NaCRRI) before it can be introduced on Lake Albert and Victoria that have been invaded by the weed.

When ready researchers will work with the community to mass-rear them; so that they can be positioned in different parts of the water bodies to control the weeds, added Rukunya.

Salvinia weevil has successfully been used against the same weed in Austria, Lake Kariba in Zambia, where the weed is said to have originated from.