By Nasser Kayanja

BUIKWE — Monofilament fishing nets valued at approximately Shs720 million have been destroyed as the government intensifies its crackdown on illegal fishing gear across the country.

The nets were burnt at Kiyindi Landing Site in Kiyindi Town Council, Buikwe District, in an exercise led by State Minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa.

Minister Migadde said the destruction marked the official launch of a nationwide campaign targeting the importation, distribution and use of illegal fishing equipment.

He warned dealers and importers of prohibited fishing gear to immediately stop the practice or face enforcement action.

Migadde said monofilament nets, which are prohibited because of their impact on fish stocks, are largely imported from China.

He said that after assuming his ministerial responsibilities, he met with fishing-gear importers and gave them a two-month warning to stop importing illegal equipment before enforcement operations commenced.

“We warned the importers that within two months we would begin operations to search for and destroy illegal fishing gear across the country,” Migadde said.

The minister said the operation is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and the UPDF 155 Marine Battalion.

He said enforcement teams would conduct searches in different locations, including markets, warehouses and other premises suspected of storing illegal fishing equipment.

Migadde said the government would not negotiate with dealers who continued to deal in prohibited fishing gear after the expiry of the warning period.

He added that the owner of the consignment destroyed at Kiyindi had not yet been arrested, but authorities decided to dispose of the nets to prevent them from entering the market as investigations continue.

The minister said the campaign would continue across the country as the government seeks to protect Uganda’s fisheries resources and curb illegal fishing practices.