Annual fishing ban on Omena in place product

By Kepher Otieno   

The Government has once again imposed a fishing ban on omena in Lake Victoria for four months to allow fish to reproduce.

But fishermen, led by National Beach Management Unit Chairman Tom Guda, appealed to the Government to reconsider a waiver.

Over the weekend, fisheries officials led by Dedan Mungai were patrolling round the beaches in Nyanza to ensure that the ban remained in force.

Assistant Director of Fisheries Michael Obadha on Sunday said the fishing ban was an annual tradition done to allow fish species ample time to reproduce.

Although some fishermen claimed that the ban would affect their lucrative trade, the State was emphatic that it was the only sure way to curb illegal fishing.

breeding

Studies shows peak fish breeding seasons coincide with the breeding of nile perch and tilapia, and if fishermen are allowed to catch omena, they were likely to end up catching young fish from other species.

Fisheries officials claim this is why they were keen to enforce the ban season to prevent possible destruction of fish breeding ground.

Experts said the ban, if applied strictly, would enhance re-stocking of the dwindling species and even increase the catch once lifted in July.

Dr Raphael Kapiyo of Maseno University said: “Fishing throughout the year without a ban is sometimes a big menace.”