Jinja fishermen lose cages, nets

Apr 11, 2011

CAGE fish farmers in Jinja district are facing a setback following the recent theft of their fish, cages and other tools like boats, nets, floaters (jerry cans) and sinkers.

By Esther Mukyala

CAGE fish farmers in Jinja district are facing a setback following the recent theft of their fish, cages and other tools like boats, nets, floaters (jerry cans) and sinkers.

The thieves reportedly cut the cages from Kisima II breeding area in Walukuba/Masese division in Jinja municipality.

Breeding areas are gazetted and should not be tampered with by other fishermen.

Sarah Namulondo, the district fisheries officer, in an interview on Thursday said 13 big nets and 13 small ones valued at sh2m were stolen.

She blamed the incident on the lack of standby security.

Namulondo said 13 cages stocked with 2,000 mature fish of over six months old were stolen from Lake Victoria.

A complete well-made cage with a frame and net goes for sh2.5m.

Namulondo said eight fish cages were secured by the district under the NAADS programme, while five belonged to individual farmers.

“We are in touch with the resident district commissioner (RDC) and the Police who promised to get us marine Police to be on standby. We have to streamline security before we bring on board the many people who have expressed interest in joining the cage fish farming programme,” she said.


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