Reject undersize fish sold by unscrupulous fishermen, urge Women Groups leaders

Bondo,

Sunday September 17, 2023

KNA by Brian Ondeng’

Women in Siaya county have been urged to reject undersize fish being sold in the market in an effort to promote sustainability of the region’s blue economy.

Addressing leaders of various women groups from Bondo and Rarieda sub counties, Fisheries and Blue Economy Ag. Director Lucy Obungu asked women in the region to play an active role in ensuring fish stocks are not depleted from Lake Victoria. Obungu said if the women in the region refuse to buy undersized fish from fisherman, the practice of catching the immature fish would be contained.

"As a department we want to urge all women in the region not to buy fish which are undersize. We know it is the women who buy fish from the shores and take it to the market, where other women buy it for household consumption. If we can have all these women reject the undersize fish, then those who caught them using illegal nets will have no market for their fish," she stated.

The Ag. Director disclosed that the state department of Fisheries is focused on ensuring the sustainability of every lake resources for the benefit of future generations.

She further revealed that the war against the use of illegal gears in Lake Victoria, which has contributed to depletion of fish stocks can only be won if every individual involved in the fish production chain plays their roles effectively.

"Everyone from those who are charged with the duty of ensuring the right gears are used in the lake, to those who are charged with the duty of ensuring that fishing is only done on permitted sites, to those who purchase the fish from fisherman in the lake for resale in the market, to women or individuals buying the fish for household consumption has a role to ensure that they do not allow undersize fish to be fished to break the chain of supply and market for the immature fish," Obungu said.

"I know the undersize fish is a preferred delicacy for many in the region, but you have to think about tomorrow. Where will you get the fish if you keep eating the baby fish which should be left to mature to adulthood and reproduce?" she posed.

Obungu on the other hand asked various women groups involved the fishing sector to take advantage of the Sh1 billion fund available in form of grants in the Department of Fisheries to expand their businesses.

The fisheries Ag. Director also revealed that already two groups, one from Siaya and another from Migori county have benefited from over Sh50 million grants each after presenting proposals that would benefit the community from the sector.

"The government has availed grants targeting groups within the blue economy sector. Most of the groups in these categories are from the coastal and Nyanza regions. The proposals should be on value addition, marketing, production or social culture development touching on communities involved in the fishing sector," She explained.

Obungu who was speaking at the home of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy CS Eliud Owalo, where the women groups leaders had been hosted, reiterated the latter’s statement that the Kenya kwanza administration is committed to bringing development to every part of the country, especially the revival of the fisheries sector in the coast and Nyanza regions.

On his part, Owalo asked residents in the region to take advantage of funds availed by the current government under the leadership of president Dr. William Ruto for the benefit of the region.

Courtesy; KNA