By Nasser Kayanja
ENTEBBE — State Minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa has urged fishing communities to abandon illegal fishing methods and protect Uganda’s water bodies, saying the fishing communities are the first beneficiaries of the lakes.
Migadde made the remarks while launching new fisheries quality assurance and enforcement tools at the Fisheries Headquarters in Entebbe.
The equipment is intended to strengthen the inspection, certification and enforcement of fisheries regulations, as well as support the inspection of fish and fishery products destined for domestic, regional and international markets.
The equipment includes outboard engines to support fisheries enforcement operations on Uganda’s water bodies, insulated sampling and transport containers, thermometers for checking fish temperatures, waterproof wading overalls for inspectors, and electric drills used to check the temperature of frozen fish, among other items.
Migadde commended the Government and the Department of Fisheries for procuring the equipment, saying it would enhance the capacity of fisheries enforcement teams during field operations.
“I also call upon fishing communities to move away from illegal fishing methods to keep the lake safe because the fishing community is the first beneficiary of the lake,” Migadde said.
He said protecting Uganda’s water bodies requires cooperation from fishing communities and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Fisheries Control, Regulations and Quality Assurance Joseph Bwanika said the equipment would be deployed by surveillance and enforcement units operating on Uganda’s water bodies.
Bwanika said the units would use the equipment to monitor fishing activities and establish whether fishers are complying with the existing fisheries regulations.
“We therefore warn the public, especially the fishing community, that once the surveillance enforcement units catch you breaking the fisheries regulations, you will be arrested for breaking the law,” Bwanika said.