Officials destroy Sh4 million illegal fishing gear

The Kenya Coast Guard Service officials after confiscating illegal fishing gear in Lake Victoria at Homa Bay Pier Beach. [File, Standard]

The government has intensified efforts to reduce the influx of illegal fishing gear attributed to the decline of fish stocks in Lake Victoria.

This came as security agents and Kenya Fisheries Services (KFS) officials in Homa Bay confiscated and destroyed illegal fishing nets worth Sh4 million.

The nets were termed illegal because they catch immature fish. The illegal fishing gear was confiscated from beaches in Lake Victoria.

Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan and KFS Deputy Director in charge of Western Region Christine Etiegni led the destruction of the illegal fishing gear in Homa Bay Town.

Etiegni blamed bad fishing methods for decline of the fish population in Lake Victoria.

He said the crackdown is aimed at conserving, managing, and developing the fisheries resources.

"This enforcement is aimed at doing away with the fishing gears which promote unsustainable fishing in our Lake," Etiegni said.

He said KFS is also sensitizing the fisher folk in the area to enhance lawful fishing practices.

"We are also collaborating with Beach Management Unit (BMU) officials to enhance success in this exercise," Etiegni said.

He said beaches in Karachuonyo, Suba North, and Suba South constituencies are the most affected by bad fishing practices.

"Illegal fishing is not only the use of illegal nets but it also encompasses engaging in fishing without license and encroachment of breeding grounds," Etiegni added.

Lilan said the exercise will enhance sanity in fishing in Lake Victoria.

He revealed that the crackdown is also extended to the fight against illicit drugs peddled in the lake.

"There are people who engage in illegal businesses like selling drugs and outlawed fishing nets. We have mapped out beaches which are prone to illegal fishing activities and punitive legal action must be taken against them," Lilan said.

He warned cartels in Lake Victoria against extorting fishermen in the pretext of providing them security.

"Let fishermen report anybody who extorts them in the name of collecting money for security," Lilan said.

The County Commissioner regretted unwarranted fishing practices had caused the extinction of some fish species.

He directed fishermen to register their boats and obtain a license before January next year. Lilan said this will enhance the control of fishing activities.

"There are laws that govern fishing practices in Lake Victoria. Let everybody who practices fishing to avoid any activity that puts them in conflict with the law," he said.