Army Arrests 11 Fishermen in Buvuma, Uganda Over Illegal Fishing, It has drastically affected the country’s export earnings from fish - Capt Steven Alituha.
UPDF officers attached to Fish protection Unit (FPU) on Saturday
arrested at least 11 fishermen at Tome landing site in Buvuma District
for involving themselves in illegal fishing.
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| The suspects accused of involving themselves in illegal fishing at Tome landing site in Buvuma District. |
According
to Capt Steven Alituha, the FPU commander, the suspects were arrested in
possession of illegal fishing gears and immature fishing worth millions
of shillings, while preparing to go to the market.
“I
personally have gone to Tome landing site seven times telling fishermen
to stop using illegal gears because they fish immature fish which is not
allowed, but they have refused to adhere. This time we are taking them
to court,” he said.
He added that: “I feel pain
whenever I burn the illegal fishing gears and after a few days I find
fishermen have bought others. They should stop it because I will not
stop arresting them.”
Illegal fishing on Ugandan lakes
has caused a reduction in fish stocks, especially in species like
tilapia, Nile perch and sliver fish, something that has drastically
affected the country’s export earnings from fish.
This, in
January 2017, forced President Museveni to establish FPU to crackdown
on illegal fishing on the lakes, which was blamed for the dwindling fish
stocks in the country. This has in the last couple of years seen fish
stock, especially Nile Perch, significantly increase in size.
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