The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) at Bugonga landing site in Entebbe burnt over 120,000 pieces of illegal fishing gear that were impounded in Wakiso district during the past six months of operations.
This came in after a court order by the Entebbe Chief Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis.
During the destruction exercise, Lt Hatim Mbaziira the Wakiso Fisheries Protection Unit commander said that they will continue to carry out such operations which aim to protect the resources not only in Wakiso district but country-wide.
“We are only burning illegal gears that include non-selective nets which are dangerous to the resource,” he remarked.
He also appreciated the Ministry of Agriculture and the judiciary for supporting the due course as well as an appeal to the public especially those that are directly engaged in fishing activities to be patriotic for the development of the country.
“As FPU, please fishermen understand the strategy and the policy of fisheries so that we protect and save the aquatic life as well as improve the country’s revenue,” he concluded.
The Entebbe Chief Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis appreciated all stakeholders including the UPDF and local leaders that joined hands in getting the destruction exercise done.
“Many times we in court convict and sentence the fishermen that are found with illegal fishing gears but we always order for destruction and what normally happens to FPU is that they correct such nets together and then we are supposed to be present to witness the destruction, that’s why we are here today as a sign that we do not support illegal fishing in Uganda, ” she added.
Innocent Mugabi, the Fisheries Inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries encouraged Ugandans especially the fishermen to always use the right fishing gear to avoid inconveniences and losses in terms of revenue.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, illegal fishing involves using less than five-inch fishing nets for Tilapia and less than seven-inch fishing nets for Nile Perch. It also entails using fishing boats that are less than 20 feet in length.
It is estimated that Uganda loses USD 430 million from unregulated fishing every year. To improve regulation and restock the lakes, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered the deployment of FPU personnel on the lakes in 2017.
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