Ban on ring nets lifted as Fisheries Day is marked

By Patrick Beja and Joseph Masha

The Government has lifted a ban on the use of ring nets for fishing in the Indian Ocean.

Coast assistant director of Fisheries Martha Mukira lifted the ban during celebrations to mark the world Fisheries Day in Mombasa.

"We have allowed fishermen to use the ring nets on condition that they will be accompanied by fisheries officials to closely monitor their activities and establish the dangers the nets may pose to marine life," said Ms Mukira.

She said foreign fishermen were asked to leave until early next year when a fisheries management plan will be in place.

Mr Suleiman Shaban, a fisherman from Kilifi, said: "Fishing has been paralysed in Kilifi following the suspension of ring nets."

Fishermen said they fish in the deep waters, which did not affect marine life. "We buy a single ring net at Sh6 million, a gas cylinder at Sh20,000 and the compressor used to fill the cylinders with gas at Sh350,000 each. The use of gas cylinders shows we are engaged in deep sea fishing and do not destroy the marine environment," said Ali.

Separately, beach management units officials have petitioned the Government to help stop land grabbers targeting fish landing bays.

Mr Awadh Mohamed, the secretary of Mombasa Old Town unit said they were not sure if the landing sites at the coast were safe from private developers.

"We fear losing our fish landing sites to influential people. We appeal to the Government to assure us the sites have not been grabbed and protect them," he said.

But Mukira assured the fishermen of the security of their fish landing bays.

"The Government is alert and will protect the sites from private developers," she said.