RC warns against protected zone fishing
KAGERA: KAGERA Regional Commissioner Fatma Mwassa has issued a stern warning against illegal fishing in newly designated protected zones, stressing that the government will not tolerate any violations of regulations put in place to safeguard fish breeding grounds.
She urged Beach Management Units (BMUs) to remain alert and take responsibility for monitoring and reporting any unlawful fishing activities within their areas of jurisdiction.
The government recently stocked Lake Ikimba with 1.2 million fish fingerlings as part of its medium and long-term strategy to sustain Lake Victoria and its satellite lakes as productive fishery ecosystems, including the promotion of cage fishing.
According to Ms Mwassa, the primary objective of the project is to improve the fisheries sector by enhancing fish breeding environments, which in turn will increase household income, improve nutrition among fishing communities and contribute to the national economy through fish production and trade.
She further noted that the initiative is aligned with Tanzania’s broader 10-year strategy (2022–2037) to develop the blue economy, with fisheries being a central pillar in achieving sustainable growth.
“Protecting breeding grounds is essential, especially in the face of climate change and rising demand for fish due to population growth,” said Ms Mwassa.
In line with this vision, the government has allocated a budget of 476.7bn/- (approximately 181 million US dollars) for the livestock and fisheries sector in the 2025/2026 financial year.
The budget aims to scale up production, value addition and employment opportunities along the entire livestock and fisheries value chain.
Presenting the 2025/2026 budget in the National Assembly recently, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Dr Ashatu Kijaji outlined a comprehensive plan focusing on enhancing productivity, improving market access, promoting investment and developing infrastructure to unlock the full potential of the sector.
ALSO READ: Tanzania steps up efforts to produce quality seeds, promote deep-sea fishing.
“This budget represents our firm commitment to empowering livestock keepers and fishers through improved services, access to finance, better infrastructure and technical support,” Dr Kijaji was quoted as saying in her budget speech.
She added that the ministry was prioritising value chain development, export promotion and environmental protection to ensure sustainable use of the country’s natural resources.
