By Denis Edema
The 155 Marine Battalion, an enforcement unit of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), has intensified operations against illegal fishing on Lake Victoria, shifting its focus from fishermen to the bosses financing and supplying illegal fishing activities.
The marine unit says it will now pursue employers who provide fishermen with prohibited fishing gear and use them to exploit the lake’s fish resources.
The 155 Marine Unit, alongside the Local Fishing Community Committees, has also reported that local leaders in the district sometimes interfere with the work of the body on the ground.
They said that whenever an illegal fisher is arrested, some local leaders quickly contact senior security officials, who then issue orders for the suspect’s release.
According to the committees, such interference makes it difficult for them to enforce the law and carry out their duties effectively.
Lt Emmanuel Nuwamanya, Sector Commander of the 155 Marine Battalion in Buvuma, said repeatedly confiscating illegal fishing gear from fishermen would not end the practice unless those financing the illegal activities were also brought to book.
He urged arrested fishermen to cooperate with security agencies by providing information that can help identify their employers and the sources of the illegal fishing equipment.
“Illegal fishing in the water is very expensive in itself. My team and I are moving to arrest the bosses after getting information from the employers who use fishermen to fish with illegal fishing gears,” Lt Nuwamanya said.
Lt Nuwamanya made the remarks on Tuesday at Lukooma Landing Site in Mawanga Parish, Busamuzi Sub-county, Buvuma District, during the destruction of illegal fishing gear confiscated in three months of operations.
The confiscated equipment were destroyed after court order valued at Shs19.7 billion, according to the marine unit,that include hurry-up nets for fishing silverfish mukene,pressure laps,lolar bulbs,mono-filerment nets,baskets,among others.
The latest approach signals a shift in enforcement strategy, with security agencies seeking to dismantle the networks that finance illegal fishing rather than concentrating only on the fishermen operating on the lake.
Authorities say targeting the financiers and suppliers could help address the root causes of illegal fishing and protect Lake Victoria’s fish stocks.
Mr Moses Buule Kizito, Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Buvuma District, backed Lt Nuwamanya’s efforts to crack down on illegal fishing.
He urged fishers to come forward and identify the suppliers and individuals behind the distribution of illegal fishing gear, which is contributing to the destruction of immature fish in the waters.
“It is the reason the President revised the leadership returned it to you fishers to work hand in hand with your local fishing committee and the army to ensure illegal fishing is stopped.You are the ones who know the black market where these illegal fishing materials are sold and who supplies them,” Mr Buule said.
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