Gov't asked to tighten inspection on imported fishing gear

Jan 13, 2016

Uganda has six major fish processing industries exporting about 200 tons of fish annually, bringing in about $132m

Government has been asked to toughen inspection of imported fishing gear to block the illegal nets from entering the country.

Dr. Lulume Bayiga, a member of the Parliamentary Forum on Fisheries, said nothing can be done to eliminate illegal fishing activities on water bodies, if government fails to halt illegal nets.

He said there is also need to strengthen inspection of fishing gear at all landing sites in the country.

Bayiga said this while addressing residents of Namusenyi, Bulagala lading site, Najja Sub County, on Tuesday.

"There is also need to subsidize the cost of genuine fishing gear to help local fishermen benefit from their fishing activities," he noted.

Bayiga also the incumbent MP for Buikwe South, said they have over time asked Government and Uganda National Bureau of Standards to stop the importation of the illegal fishing gear.

"It is the reason we still have problems of immature fish trade" he said.

"The government should be able to import legal fishing gear and subsidize the cost for artisan fishermen. That is how we can promote the fishing industry," he added.

His remarks come shortly after President Yoweri Museveni suspended the fisheries officers and Beach Management Units (BMU) over illegal fishing, extortion and aiding other illegal dealers to trade in immature fish.

However, Mayiga cautioned fishermen to use the water bodies responsibly and avoid catching immature fish.

Alex Mukasa, the chairman, Uganda Fishing Industry Rescue Operation Team (UFROT) said it is very challenging to protect the lake without any enforcement structure in place.

"We were happy by the President's move to disband these enforcement teams because of their incompetence, but we still need a structure in place to control illegal fishing. Many people will use the gap to use all the illegal ways to catch fish which might lead to depletion of fish in the lakes," he added.

"Do you know that some people even use mosquito nets to fish? But just imagine what happens if there is no enforcement".

Mukasa said lack of enforcement is likely to affect the fish industry. Uganda has six major fish processing industries exporting about 200 tons of fish annually, bringing in about $132m (sh462bn).

Some of the exporting industries include; Botany, Uganda Fisheries, Green field, Fresh Fisheries, Byansi Fisheries and Tampa fisheries. 

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