The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Al-Amani Mutarubukwa
11 November 2009
About 115 private and public institutions will from tomorrow start receiving for free, portions out of 296.32 tonnes of fish impounded from a foreign fishing trawler that was allegedly found fishing illegally in Tanzania waters.
Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries, Mr John Magufuli, said the chosen institutions had passed the set requirements.
"We received many applications, but terms and conditions had to be met by the applicants, and the chosen institutions will receive the quantity based on the number of people they have," he said.
He named the institutions as Muhimbili National Hospital, National Service camps, universities, prisons and orphanages.
The minister said the decision to distribute the fish for free was peer advice given to the ministry by court on October 20, this year, which allowed the government to dispose off the consignment the way it deems fit.
Asked on the state of the fish which have been in store for the past seven months, Mr Magufuli said the haul was in good condition as they were being kept at -20 degrees Celsius at Bahari Food Factory situated in Mwenge, Dar es Salaam.
"I can assure you that the fish are in good condition, that's why even many foreign companies were eying to buy them," he said.
On the preservation costs that amounts to Sh800 million, the minister said the Government does not take that as the only factor in what had happened with regard to the arrest of foreigners in the Tanzania waters.
He said there were many advantages the government has gained.
After the incident, crew of illegal fishing vessels become scared to come to Tanzania, part of the Indian Ocean, and that more than five countries have shown interest to invest into fishing in the country.
The case against 37 foreigners who were arrested with the catch, is still pending at the high court.
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