Kampala — THE Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries intends to limit fishing on Uganda's waters in a bid to improve the sector.

The declaration of "total closed fishing seasons" is also intended to replenish the dwindling fish stocks in the waters.

The vice-chairperson of the parliamentary committee on agriculture, Dr. Lastus Katende, said this while presenting the report to the House on Tuesday.

He noted that fish exports were falling sharply as the industry was being threatened by destructive fishing methods.

Katende said because of the dwindling catches, eight out of 18 fish processing factories had closed.

He noted that 8% of the two million tonnes of fish in Lake Victoria comprises small fish called mukene, according to the National Agricultural Research Organisation.

It said Nile Perch had reduced from 1.2 million tonnes in 1999 to 0.25 million tonnes in 2009. He added that fish ponds in Kajjansi, Bushenyi, Gulu and Mbale would be rehabilitated and that major fish resource water bodies would be protected.