Kagadi
Illegal fishing gears worth 1.5 billion shillings have been set ablaze by the Kagadi security team in collaboration with the Fisheries Protection Unit of the UPDF in a new operation against illegal fishing gear on Lake Albert.
The operation led by the Kagadi RDC Lillian Ruteraho was conducted at Kamina landing site and proceeds to other areas of Ndaiga Sub-County.
Ruteraho says despite continued efforts by the government warning the fishing community against using illegal fishing gear, the fishing community in Ndaiga Sub-county on Lake Albert shores have not followed the directive.
Ruteraho, made it clear that the government is not ready to watch people destroy the lake that is the source of many products of great economic value contributing to the country’s economic development.
She says operations on the lake will continue to ensure protection of the lake also asking the Fisheries Protection Unit of the UPDF and police to maintain their operations on Lake Albert to arrest all fishermen using illegal fishing gears.
The Kagadi district Fisheries Officer Francis Gwazo emphasized the use of proper fishing gears for protection of the lake from depletion of fish species.
Meanwhile, the sector commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit in charge Kagadi-Ntoroko sector Musa Shaban highlighted some challenges faced during the enforcement exercises citing violent resistance from the fishing communities, deliberate use of illegal fishing gears, attacks by the Congolese millitias, among others.
He however says these challenges will not discourage them to remain committed to securing the lake waters.