Video: Islanders start trapping silver fish months after MAAIF ban

Islanders in Kalangala District have yet again started trapping silver fish several months after a ban on the use of “Hurry up” fishing method was enforced.

Early this year, the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries imposed a ban on the use of “hurry up” as a fishing method used to trap silver fish.

However, the Fisheries Protection Unit instead enforced a total ban on all silver fishing methods leaving fishermen angry and distraught with no option.

“We had invested in these methods and have been a source of our livelihoods. It is disgusting that Government chose to let us and our children suffer,” one of the fishermen at Lulamba landing site told this website.

The Minister of State for Fisheries Hellen Adoa, in a press briefing at the Media Center in February this year said only one fishing method had been banned while other methods such as Chota Chota could be used.

“We maintain a ban on the hurry up fishing method and urge all fishermen to use the available legal methods of hunting silver fish,” Hon Adoa said.

Upon maintaining the total ban, the Directorate of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries wrote to the Fisheries Protection Unit detailing the only banned illegal fishing method being ‘hurry up’.

Upon lifting the total ban by the Fisheries Protection Unit this week, Islanders in Bubeke Sub County started trapping silver fish commonly known as Mukene, drying it for trading.

The fishermen, grateful to the Ministry for the guidance also want the government to support them in better handling of silver fish to meet the international market.

The Directorate of Fisheries is also immensely engaged in the quest for alternative silver fishing methods that would not harm the eco system within the lake.

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