Silverfish in Uganda: FPU impounds gear worth millions; fishers cry foul

KALANGALA - The Fish Protection Unit (FPU) in Kalangala District have impounded over 60 boats belonging to fishers of silverfish along with their catches of over six tons, engines, and steamer lamps worth millions of shillings allegedly used for the banned hurry-up fishing method. The boats were from Kagoonya landing site in Bujumba sub-county, Ddajje landing site, Banda in Mugoye Sub County among other landing sites on Lake Victoria.Speaking to New Vision , fishermen said FPU alleges that the gear was found in bays where fish hatch from. They claimed that they were two kilometres away from the shoreline as provided under the Fisheries Act. “Even the nets we use are not hurry-up as the enforcers allege but they just want us to leave the Lake for Nile Perch fishers,” says fishermen. In her statement, fisheries state minister Hellen Adoa clarified that she never banned silverfish fishing and urged the FPU to only enforce the ban on hurry-up nets. Peter Ssenkindu, the deputy ...