Kampala — A total of 15 fishing boats have been impounded at Ggaba Landing Site, the Makindye Division fisheries officer has said, writes Samuel Balagadde.

Christopher Kyeyune said the boats were not seaworthy, while others were using illegal fishing gears.

He said he would ensure the boats meet the minimum standards before they are released to the owners.

"The fishing community is increasingly ignoring the laws, hence endangering the fisheries resources. This is manifested in illegal fishing methods and destruction of the lake environment," Kyeyune said.

He said some of the boats lacked licences. Kyeyune said they had intensified operations on Lake Victoria to ensure conservation of fisheries resources and apprehend all the illegal fishing boats and their owners.

Diriisa Walusimbi, the chairman of Ggaba Beach Management Unit, said efforts to combat illegal fishing gears were constrained by insufficient personnel and equipment.