Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Outrage over Uganda's lifting of ban on young fish
Kenya's conservation experts yesterday protested against the lifting of the ban on the harvesting of immature fish in Lake Victoria by Uganda.
They said the move by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni last week would jeopardise conservation efforts on the lake and stall the planned harmonisation of fisheries laws being prepared by the three countries.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania had enacted laws banning the harvesting of fish below 50 cm in size to save the industry.
But in a surprise move last Wednesday, Uganda's minister of State for Fisheries, Mr Fabius Byaruhanga, lifted the ban, citing directives from President Museveni.
The order came only a few days after members of the Uganda Fish Processors and Exporters met President Museveni, allegedly to request for unrestricted fishing.
The decision by Uganda violates an agreement signed by East African Council of Fisheries ministers in June, 2002, and later endorsed by the three presidents, that barred the harvesting of under-size fish in the lake.
Ironically, the three ministers are due to meet in Jinja on Thursday to launch a joint Lake Victoria Fisheries management plan, whose preparation was funded by the European Union.
Kenya's fisheries officials and environmentalists described the decision by Uganda as a drawback in the fight to conserve the lake's biodiversity.
"It is ridiculous and unbelievable. It ruins all that the three countries have been preparing for a joint strategy on the management of Lake Victoria," said Mr Okumu Makogola, a senior deputy director of Fisheries.
The executive director of Osienala (Friends of Lake Victoria), Dr Obiero Ong'ang'a, urged President Museveni to reinstate the order, saying he was misled.
A Maseno University lecturer, Dr Raphael Kapiyo, joined his Makerere University counterparts in condemning the lifting of the ban.
Do you Yahoo!?
Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears
