By Nasser Kayanja

JINJA: The Government has launched an operation to crack down on the importation, sale and use of illegal fishing gear, giving dealers 30 days to remove the prohibited equipment from the market.

State Minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa, accompanied by officers from the 155 Marine Battalion, on Monday inspected a warehouse in Jinja City as part of an operation targeting companies and individuals suspected of importing illegal fishing gear.

Minister Migadde said he had received information from his sources that World Uganda Limited, a supplier based in Jinja, was keeping large quantities of illegal fishing equipment worth billions of shillings.

He said the operation would be extended to markets, shops, companies, hardware stores and other outlets suspected of selling illegal fishing gear across the country.

Migadde said the Government’s action is aimed at protecting Uganda’s fisheries resources and curbing destructive fishing practices that threaten fish stocks.

“I have seen illegal fishing gear in Jinja, and it will be removed within 30 days,” Migadde said.

He added that authorities had started a nationwide operation to identify, confiscate and destroy imported illegal fishing gear in an effort to promote sustainable fishing practices.

The minister warned importers, suppliers and dealers dealing in prohibited fishing equipment to stop the trade or risk having their stock confiscated and destroyed.