MPs reject idea to close fishing activities in Lake Tanganyika
PLANS to suspend fishing in Lake Tanganyika to allow fish stock recovery has not augur well with some legislators who say that it will affect the livelihood of many people.
Tabling the budget estimates of his ministry in Parliament on Wednesday, the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Abdallah Ulega said that the government would suspend fishing activities in the lake for three months from May 15th this year.
He said that Tanzania has come into agreement with other countries which share Lake Tanganyika – Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia and Burundi to close down activities in the lake because of dwindling number of fish due to overfishing and illegal fishing activities.
One of the legislators, Sylvia Sigula (Special Seats –CCM) told the August House that the decision to ban fishing activities should have involved all stakeholders in the sector, including fishermen.
She said people living in the vicinity of Lake Tanganyika rely on the lake for their livelihood which means suspending fishing in the lake would affect them.
“From what we have gathered, some of the countries which agreed on the decision have already backed down because they have realised the impact it might create, for Tanzania to continue with the plan it should give the people an alternative means of earning a living,” she said.
She advised the government to invest in creating fishing ponds countrywide for fish nurseries so that they can increase their number.
Nkasi North Legislator, Aida Kenan (CHADEMA) said it would be better to check if other riparian member states would go ahead with the plan.
She said that apart from that, a big number of fishermen who conduct their activities within the lake have already paid for fishing licenses, which means that they will be left in a dilemma of whether or not they will be refunded.
Sengerema Member of Parliament, Tabasamu Hamisi Hussein (CCM) said that the decision to ban fishing activities was not permanent.
He said that in every profession there must be professionalism, but most people who engage in fishing activities lack proper training, that is why there is a lot of illegal fishing.
“Some of these fishermen use solar lights during fishing, but what you should know is that these lights are very powerful, which affects availability of fish, and if we are not careful the only thing we will benefit from the lake is drinking water,” he said.
