Kampala — THE recently-introduced self-policing strategy among fishing communities has started yielding fruits. Implemented by the Beach Management Units (BMUs), the policy aims at conserving fisheries resources by rooting out illegal fishing.

At Gaba Landing Site, where the strategy has been running for one month, 68 pieces of illegal fishing gear valued at sh5.2m were voluntarily surrendered and burnt recently.

Edward Ssembalirwa, the Kampala district fisheries officer said illegal fishing was responsible for dwindling fish stocks. "The current fish shortage is impacting the local communities and the Government. The fish industry has been a major foreign exchange earner for the country but is now threatened by limited volumes of export and revenue," he said.

Christopher Kyeyune, the Makindye division fisheries officer said the amnesty period for those who surrendered illegal fishing gear had expired and they had now introduced punitive measures. "We have embarked on intensive on-spot enforcement and lake patrols to ensure that fishing on the lake is streamlined." He said all fishing gear was being registered by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries and that all those that were unregistered would be impounded.

"All fishing boats must conform to seaworthiness standards and must be inspected and the owners issued with a certificate," he said.

Diriisa Walusimbi, the chairman of the Gaba BMU said local communities and leaders needed to work together to combat illegal fishing.