Tanzania is stepping up efforts to stop illegal fishing that threatens the health of Lake Tanganyika, the deepest freshwater lake in Africa and the second deepest in the world.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, David Silinde, told lawmakers on Wednesday that the government is increasing checks at border points to seize illegal fishing nets.
“The government does not allow illegal fishing nets. These nets are not allowed to cross our borders. We insist that fishing nets must be made inside the country,” Silinde said on behalf of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
He was answering a question from Member of Parliament Sylvia Sigula about when illegal fishing in Lake Tanganyika would be stopped.
The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries is using several strategies to fight this problem. It is working with other government offices, including the President’s Office and local governments, to protect fish and ensure fishing is done in a sustainable way.
The Ministry is also improving Fisheries Resource Protection and Management centres around the lake by giving them better tools to do their work.
One important method is using drones to watch the lake and catch illegal fishing activities. The Ministry also works with Non-Governmental Organisations to teach fishing communities and others about the harm caused by illegal fishing.
Silinde asked Local Councils to keep working with the Ministry to control illegal fishing. He also urged fishers on Lake Tanganyika to follow fishing rules and laws carefully.
“If we all follow the rules, illegal fishing in the country, including in Lake Tanganyika, will be stopped,” he said.
Illegal fishing is a big problem that harms fish stocks and the lives of people who depend on fishing. This includes fishing without license, taking more fish than allowed, and using illegal nets.
Last year, fishers in Kigoma told the Daily News that illegal gill-nets were damaging the lake’s ecosystem and slowing its recovery.
These nets catch fish by their gills and often trap other fish by mistake, upsetting the lake’s balance.
Even though efforts have been made to stop their use, illegal gill-nets are still a major problem and threaten important fish like sardines, pelagic fish, and perch.
Agnely Lishala, the Principal Fisheries Officer for Lake Tanganyika, told the Daily News that while gill-nets are allowed, they must follow strict rules from the 2003 Fisheries Act and later updates.
Nets that break these rules, such as those with mesh sizes that are too large or small, or those with too few or too many threads, are illegal.
The 2020 Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations make it clear what types of gill-nets are allowed.
Lishala also confirmed that illegal gill-nets continue to be smuggled into Tanzania in large numbers, often not following the legal size and design rules.
This shows the need for stronger actions to protect Lake Tanganyika’s fish and ensure fishing can continue for years to come.
