Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate the belated International World Fisheries day that was yesterday held at Ndandamire Primary School in Kiyere cell Wanseko town council Buliisa District.
The event was presided over by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa and attended by the fishing fraternities from the districts of Pakwatch, Hoima, Buliisa among others as well as political leaders.
This year`s world fisheries day celebration was under `”The Theme, Promoting responsible fishing method, increased household incomes and better live hoods”.
Addressing fishing communities, the Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa has threatened to arrest and expose the greedy Ugandans who had shifted their corruption on the lakes by taking immature fish on trucks to sell in other places.
Adoa claimed that most illegal fishermen are wealthy individuals who use their influence to engage in illegal fishing practices without any restraint.
She revealed that most of the highly connected illegal fishermen smuggle immature fish to the neighboring countries where they are cleared, repacked and sealed as goods in transit before being transported back into the country.
The minister also asked the district leadership in the fishing communities across the country to come up with bi-laws to control and block all the trucks moving out of the district with immature fish.
She asked the fishing communities to own the lakes by protecting it.
The World Fisheries Day celebrated on 21st November annually, presents an opportunity for stakeholders in the fishing industry to reflect on the state of Fisheries resource.
DONDO ALLAN
ONEGA PASCAL
