Ephriam Kasozi
8 November 2008
Uganda government is pushing for a regional policy to oblige investors in the fishing industry to immediately start contributing to fish breeding to save particular species that earn big on the world market from extinction.
State Minister for Fisheries Fred Mukisa said the new policy is being crafted to compel entrepreneurs engaged in fish processing to invest in fish farming, especially of Nile Perch as a pre-condition to obtaining trading/export license.
Mr Mukisa told a stakeholder's conference at Imperial Royale last week that the proposed arrangement is to replenish the stock of rapidly dwindling fish varieties in East Africa's waters.
The conference organised by Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO) aimed to develop, adopt and harmonise measures for sustainable management of fishery resources in Africa's largest fresh water Lake. "We are yet to agree on the measures and ways of implementation but we are looking at the option that people who process fish have an input towards fish production," Mr Mukisa said, "If the policy is adopted, it would be a requirement before a processor gets a licence."
Mr Paul Otuoma, Kenya's minister for fisheries development, said regional governments need to act quickly to salvage Lake Victoria from losing its vital fishing and other resources so that the surrounding population continues to eke a living from the waters. He, however, called for guided strategies to explore alternative livelihoods for the riparian communities.
"Promotion of aqua-culture in our wetlands will also reduce pressure on the Lake, allowing the regeneration of this priceless regional strategic resource (fish) that provide livelihoods for millions of inhabitants of the Lake basin," Mr Otuoma said.
LVFO Executive Secretary Mr Dick Nyeko attributed the disappearance of Nile Perch from the region's waters to indiscriminate fishing practices.
"The increased number of fishermen, too many fishing nets and boats all targeting a single species of fish (Nile Perch) coupled with increased illegal gears are the major causes of the reduction of Nile Perch," he said.
The number of fishermen on Lake Victoria has reportedly risen from 129, 000 in 2000 to over 196,000 000 today. He said by February this year, the number of boats and canoes had increased to 69,000 from 42,000; gill nets rose from 650, 000 to 1.2 million while the number of hooks is up at 9million from 3.5 million. The fishing gears belong to an estimated 196,000 fishermen.
Mr Nyeko said: "The Nile Perch situation in Lake Victoria seems to be a good example of what is known as 'growth over-fishing', which occurs when juvenile fish are heavily exploited such that only a few can grow to a large size." It is estimated that Nile Perch stocks have reduced to 320,000 tonnes from 1.9 million tonnes, a situation he said requires urgent and concerted effort of regional governments.
Daily Monitor has learnt that LVFO has prepared a fisheries recovery management blue-print where governments of the three partner States; Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania would be tasked to identify profitable alternative economic activities for some of the fishermen to minimise the boundless exploitation of the water resources.
"We ask regional governments to come together and negotiate on the number of fishermen, boats and also put up alternative livelihood programmes for those who would miss the licence for Nile Perch," Mr Nyeko said. He said trade in Nile Perch is a lucrative venture, accounting for 75 per cent of the income from that industry but regretted that the governments had failed to address the challenges faced by stakeholders.
According to a 2006 LVFO survey, Lake Victoria was producing over one million tonnes of fish annually valued at $400 million at the beach (landing site) and $313 million in exports annually.
The drop in Nile Perch species is expected to result in reduced income, food and employment for families, and a fall in foreign exchange earnings for member countries.
Many fish factories in Tanzania are already reported to be operating at below capacity levels due to declining fish supplies, and Mr John Magufuli, the LVFO chairman, said at least two such factories in the country had closed business. But as Nile Perch stocks dwindle, other fish species; not as lucrative, are on a steady increase.
Mr Magufuli, also Tanzania's minister in charge fisheries said that fish species like dagaa (Mukene) have increased from 1.1 million tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes during the latest survey. Other fish varieties are up from 500,000 tonnes to 700,000 tonnes as of February 2008, giving hope of continued earning for fish dealers.
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