PROBLEMS FACING FISHING IN EAST AFRICA
- Limited capital to modernize the fishing industry.
- Most of the fishing grounds like Lake Albert and Turkana are in remote areas that are inaccessible.
- Limited market for fish due to low income or cultural norms e.g. among the Bahima.
- Limited fish species of commercial value which reduces international demand.
- Overfishing and indiscriminate fishing through the use of beach seining method which leads to catching of young fish.
- Excessive high temperature creates preservation difficulties.
- Political instability especially in Uganda which has scared away foreign investors.
- The threat of crocodiles especially on Lake Kyoga which scare away fishermen.
- Poor transport network linking to fishing grounds which leads to delays in delivery.
- Water hyacinth especially on Lake Victoria and Kyoga chokes fish to death.
- Competition with other fish producing countries like Norway Japan leads to an inadequate market.
- Undesirable fishing methods like fish poisoning causes health risks to the local people.
- Inter- territory conflict since some fishing grounds are found at borders e.g. Lake Albert, Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, and Lake Malawi.
- Reduction of Tilapia due to the presence of Nile perch which eats them away.
- Some fishing grounds are too deep and hence does not favour fish multiplication.
- Water pollution by industries e.g. Nile breweries which cause the death of the fish.
- Post fishing losses e.g. theft of their nets and fish catch.
STEPS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO SOLVE PROBLEMS FACING FISHING
- Formation of Ministry of fisheries to control fishing activities in the country.
- Formation of fishing cooperatives for advice, loans, and easy marketing.
- Educating the public about the value of the fish as a source of proteins and vitamins to increase its market.
- Removal of the water hyacinth by using chemicals to provide enough oxygen for the fish.
- There is construction and rehabilitation of road networks linking to fish grounds to improve fish deliveries.
- Treatment of sewage and industrial wastes to reduce water pollution.
- Setting strict laws prohibiting illegal fishing methods like poisoning and indiscriminate nets to protect the young fish.
- Introduction of modern fish preservation methods like freezing and canning by extending power to rural areas.
- Regular police patrols to reduce theft on water bodies.
- Introduction of commercial and high-value fish species e.g. Nile Perch which have a large market.
- Increased importation of fishing facilities such as motorboats and motor engines to increase efficiency.
- Construction of on-site fish processing plants e.g. Masese in Jinja and at Ggaba near Kampala to prevent fish from going bad.
- Artificial rearing of fish in ponds to reduce depletion of some species e.g. at Kajjansi and Entebbe.
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