Illegal fishing gear depleting fish stock in Lake Victoria

Homabay,

Friday, January 19, 2023,

KNA by Daisy Marcy/Davis Langat

 Illegal fishing gear has led to dwindling fish stocks in Lake Victoria according to Karachuonyo Beach Management Unit (BMU) Chairman, George Orimba.

Speaking to the press in Homa Bay, today, Orimba said some fishermen were using illegal fishing gear catching fingerlings, saying that the fishermen should instead catch fish above 1kg for the Nile perch species.

He said currently the fishermen were unable to take their children to school, due to the scarcity of fish, as it is their only source of income.

 Orimba also lamented that cases of fishnets being stolen during the night, were on the rise and urged the Kenya Coast Guard Services (KCGS), to beef up security in the lake.

He urged Homa Bay County Government, to establish a fisheries board charged with promoting the blue economy and promoting conservation of the lake.

Courtesy; KNA