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Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Ministry authorized a pilot study on the catching of synodontis fish locally known as ‘Nkolongo’ in Mukono, Buikwe and Buvuma districts. The decision stems from a public outcry from fishermen about the scarcity of other species of fish such as Nile perch and Tilapia in the lake due to the presence of synodontis fish.
Fishermen appealed to the government to allow them to resume catching synodontis fish since it doesn’t mix with other fish, which eliminates the chance of catching immature fish from the other species. Hellen Adoa, the Fisheries State Minister says that MAAIF has authorized its technical team to carry out a pilot study with fishermen in the three districts to prove their claims related to the co-existence of synodontis fish and other fish species.
In 2017, the Fisheries Protection Unit-FPU banned the catching of synodontis around Lake Victoria and other water bodies citing improper use of fishing nets. To catch synodontis, fishermen need 3.5-inch fishing nets, which were banned to stop catching immature fish.
The fishermen are required to use 5-inch nets for tilapia and 7 inch for Nile perch. Adoa says that MAAIF has instructed fisheries officers in the three districts to select 40 boats and for the award of certificates for the pilot study.
Daisy Achilo, the Assistant Commissioner for Fisheries under MAAIF explains that since synodontis fish is seasonal, and the fishermen shall be required to handover their fishing gears to the ministry at the end of the season to avoid using them to catch immature fish.
In Ugandan waters, synodontis fish usually breeds in plenty from the month of March to August before rotating to other parts of the lake in East Africa. Achilo says the pilot study is going to help the ministry complete research on the fish ahead of the East African Region Minster’s Council where they expect to develop a standard mechanism of catching synodontis fish.
Robert Migadde Ndugwa, the Buvuma district Member of Parliament who has persistently echoed the fishermen’s outcry before parliament about catching synodontis fish, says the pilot study is a great milestone since it will contribute much to fishermen’s sustainability.
The Kalangala District Woman MP-elect, Hellen Nakimuli and Kyamuswa MP-elect, Moses Kabuusu have appealed to the government to expedite the study since most of the islanders are currently grappling with life due to the scarcity of fish in the lake. Nakimuli says the situation is harder for single mothers and persons living with HIV.
The Fisheries Minister has appealed to all fishing communities in other parts of the country to remain calm and give their technical team a chance to complete the study.
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