RC calls for sustainable fishing

MWANZA Regional Commissioner, Mr Adam Malima has urged local fishers to be the main driver for change in the fishery industry in Lake Victoria by utilising modern fishing methods including a cage fishing system which is more paying and sustainable.
He noted that modern fish storage and processing which keep fish fresh, prevent fish from perishing and thus will enable local fishers to tap both domestic and international markets.
Mr Malima made the remarks while briefing the Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Keeping, Mr Abdallah Ulega in the special conservation designed by the Mwanza Regional Office to present the progress of fishing activities in Lake Victoria.
He welcomed fishing stakeholders including scholars to conduct detailed research that can lead to innovation of the best method to enhance the sustainability of the fishing sector, researching the proper fish harvesting seasons.
Mr Malima said protecting the fish resources will help to scale up fishing production urging fishers to abstain from harvesting the young fish since they are the key ingredients in ensuring fish reproduction is sustainable.
For his part, Deputy Minister for Fishery and Livestock keeping, Mr Ulega noted that Lake Victoria contributes 80 per cent of all fishing revenue within the country tasking local fishers among other fish stakeholders to utilise modern ways of fishing such as cage system, modern fishes processing and storage machines so that they can scale up their production.
Mr Ulega said the government will continue to create a conducive environment for people who want to invest in the fishing sector while directing fishing officers to keep on enforcing rules and regulations for the sustainable operation of the fishing sector.