400m/- set aside for war on illegal fishing

From The Guardian/IPP Media, Dar es Salaam
By Correspondent 

At least 400m/- has been set aside to fund the war against illegal fishing and almost 400 illegal nets along with other banned fishing gear were destroyed over the weekend in Lake Zone as the government beefs up efforts to curb illegal fishing in Lake Victoria.

The exercise took place at the Buhongwa dumping site on the outskirts of Mwanza following the confiscation of the gear from various fishing sites around Lake Victoria.

Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Development, Dr Titus Kamani, who witnessed the exercise, said the government will no longer condone illegal fishing that is severely harming marine life at the lake and warned that legal action would be taken against fisheries officers who protect uncertified fishermen.

Dr Kamani said the destroyed nets pose great threat to aquatic life and went on to call on investors in the industry to supplement government efforts in its endeavours to curb illegal fishing by among other things, buying fish from suppliers who use illegal methods.

He said the government would ensure that fishing on Lake Victoria and elsewhere is conducted in a sustainable manner that guarantees availability in all the country’s water bodies at all the time.