From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By FINNIGAN WA SIMBEYE
IN the past five years, 15 of the 25 Lake Victoria fish processing factories have closed down, the remaining are operating under capacity as greed depletes Nile perch and Tilapia on the world’s second largest fresh water body.
“We can’t close down, it’s not true,” said Harko Bhaghat, Chairman of Lake Victoria Fish Processors’ Association. Mr Bhagat said although fish stocks have depleted to record lows, suspending commercial fishing is not an option for any stakeholder.
“Logistically it’s not possible because it will hurt processors, the government and the fisherman most,” Bhaghat argued as Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Dr David Mathayo prepares to present his ministry’s 2011/12 budget estimates in Dodoma this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment