The Minister of State for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, also Woman MP – Serere District, has urged fishermen to find other alternatives from over relying on fishing.
She remarked on Wednesday, 25th September, during a community sensitization engagement with the fishermen at the Kasenyi landing site in Katabi Town Council, Wakiso districtt.
According to the Minister, the growing population on the lake shores, mainly on landing sites of Lake Victoria, has led to the excessive numbers of people depending on the lake, which is dangerous to the next generation.
“Lake Victoria is only supposed to take 30,000 boats; beyond that, the lake is not breathing. Right now, we have only 3% of the fish in Lake Victoria, where even Lake Albert is better than Lake Victoria, so for this matter as a government, we are going to reorganize ourselves to find alternatives for these youth,” Minister Adoa said.
She therefore encouraged the public, mainly the people around the lake, to engage in government programs like the PDM, among other projects, so that they don’t over-rely on the lake.
“Apart from the lake, you can be able to get involved in other projects like carpentry, tailoring, and restaurant, among others. The population has gone high, so let’s not only put our minds on the lake because I can see a variety of opportunities here to facilitate the growing population we have,” she added.
During the same engagement, Hon Hellen Adoa, on behalf of the ministry, received a donation of the boat, boat engine, and lifejackets offered by the European Union and also pledged more support to the fishermen.
“As the ministry, with the support from the World Bank, we are going to support you in terms of fishing equipment like the lifejackets among the other infrastructures,” she said.
The state minister of Fisheries also condemned the practice of illegal fishing where improper methods like hurry up and cast netting, among others, are used to catch fish during the activity.
“This act will lead to the setback of the country’s growing economy like the unavailability of the products tiny fish, for both internal and external markets,” she added.
Frank Luboyera, the landing site chairperson, raised the issue of the poor infrastructure, mainly the road that connects Kasenyi to Entebbe – Kampala road, which is in a poor state, and therefore asked for assistance in reminding the Ministry of Works and UNRA on their cry.
However, the minister promised to deliver the community’s cry regarding the Kasenyi road to the Ministry of Works through the letter she will deliver to her fellow honorable minister on Monday.
The fishermen also raised the issue of not being allowed to continue fishing silverfish. However, the minister condemned the ban, saying, “I did not ban the fishing of silverfish; what was banned was the use of the hurry-up fishing method.”
In addition, she explained that the use of improper methods like hurry up and cast netting, among others, will lead to setbacks to the country’s growing economy, like the unavailability of the products of tiny fish for both internal and external markets.
In a February 20, 2024, statement, the State Minister for Fisheries Hellen Adoa banned the use of the hurry-up method used for catching silverfish in a bid to save the dwindling Nile Perch stock and also promoted responsible fishing practices among the fishing communities.
About The Author
