Africa-Press – Tanzania. UWANDA Forest Reserve patrol unit along the Lake Rukwa Rift Valley Basin in Sumbawanga District has arrested 481 fishermen and seized illegal fishing gears worth over 170m/-
It was alleged that the nabbed fishermen were caught red-handed fishing in Lake Rukwa using illegal fishing gears.
Furthermore, the routine patrols on Lake Rukwa made possible for apprehension of the fishermen.
Uwanda Forest Reserve Manager, Orest Njau said fishermen and pastoralists were penalized and paid a fine of 246.1 m/- for illegal fishing and illegal entry of their animals grazing in the reserve forest.
“Also 25 motor boat engines and 19 motor boats have been seized.
“The routine patrols on part of the Lake Rukwa located inside the Uwanda forest reserve is sustainable to curb illegal fishing and poaching activities” he explained.
He further explained that also 90 dhows, 72 canoes, 31 bicycles, two carts and 17 fuel tanks were confiscated.
“Routine patrols were also conducted on Lake Rukwa on the part of Songwe region at Mahameni, Mchangani and Mashwiche fishing camps” he added.
Sumbawanga District Commissioner (DC), Sebastian Wryuba destroyed and reduced into ashes 141 illegal fishing nets by burning them.
The Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Mashimba Ndaki said the government was working on a mechanism to identify fishing nets manufacturing process and distribution to fishermen to control illegal nets in the country.
This was revealed separately on August this year, when the minister was in working tour in Katavi and Rukwa regions respectively.
“We are well prepared to monitor manufacturers who produce and bring to the market outlawed fishing gears. Fishermen in the country have been in dilemma for quite some time, because when they procure such nets, they end up being in trouble while no measures are taken on manufacturers and distributors,” explained the minister.
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