By Samuel Nkuba
The Fish Protection Unit (FPU) in Kalangala District have impounded over 60 boats belonging to fishers of silverfish along with their catches of over six tons, engines, and steamer lamps worth millions of shillings allegedly used for the banned hurry-up fishing method.
The boats were from Kagoonya landing site in Bujumba sub-county, Ddajje landing site, Banda in Mugoye Sub County among other landing sites on Lake Victoria.
Speaking to New Vision, fishermen said FPU alleges that the gear was found in bays where fish hatch from. They claimed that they were two kilometres away from the shoreline as provided under the Fisheries Act.
“Even the nets we use are not hurry-up as the enforcers allege but they just want us to leave the Lake for Nile Perch fishers,” says fishermen.
In her statement, fisheries state minister Hellen Adoa clarified that she never banned silverfish fishing and urged the FPU to only enforce the ban on hurry-up nets.
Peter Ssenkindu, the deputy chairperson of silverfish fishers in Kalangala District, appealed to President Yoweri Museveni and the fisheries department to deploy experts who can conduct research on the methods used in this expedition.
“Our people are suffering, so far a number of them are arrested while fishing at night without clear guidance on any accusation,” says Ssenkindu.
Lt Lauben Ndifula, the FPU spokesperson, confirmed the confiscation of fishing gear with a number of boats across Lake Victoria and catches of over six tons of fresh silver fish.
“We have pardoned the fishermen but their gear including engines, nets, steamer lamps, and boats are with us at our detach base in Mwena,” he added.
He further narrated that though fishermen use the available nets on the market, they are considered to be for the hurry-up method which the minister banned.
The Kalangala deputy RDC, Henry Ssebunya, assured fishermen that they are to reach a consensus on fishing silverfish to find out the facts about the current nets on the market and the banned ones.
Currently across Kalangala District, over 60 boats have been impounded with their engines while engaging in silverfish fishing.
