Fishermen operating in Lake Victoria have reported sharp drop in catches, expressing that the decline in fish population in the world's second fresh water lake could as well be attributed to over fishing, pollution and environmental degradation.

A survey carried out in most fish landing beaches around the Kenyan side of the shorelines has revealed sharp decline in the catches.

The use of unauthorized fishing gears is believed to be another cause of the decline. Some fishermen are said to be defiantly using unauthorized fishing nets, destroying the fish breeding sites along the shorelines.

Corruption on the parts of fish scouts, who cannot effect the enforcement of the law and regulations governing the fishing activities have also contributed immensely towards the declining fish population.

Meanwhile fish exports from Lake Victoria in future will be required to be in compliance with international environment standards.

In a role known as eco-labeling, the products will bear a logo that indicates they have been certified and produced within the set standards.

According to a fish facility assurance expert, Mr. Maurice Otieno, discussions are underway to explore possibilities for eco-labeling the Nile perch, which has been blamed for the declining population of other fish species in the lake.

Mr Otieno was further quoted as saying that basic standards are required for fish and fishery products to ensure everyone's rights to safe food is met.

The decision to eco-labeling of Nile perch was made last year during a stakeholders meeting organized by the German development Agency (GTZ) in Nairobi.

The meeting that brought together representatives from the fish industry, governments and development partners provided the first step in eco-labeling the inland fisheries.

"There was consensus to move towards gaining a marine stewardship council label for Nile Perch from the whole lake Victoria ," said Otieno adding that this is because Nile Perch is our main export to the European market .It has so afro accounted for kshs 4 billion out of the lake's total earnings.

The expert was also quoted as saying that Spain continues to be the main EU market for Nile Perch fillets followed by France and Italy. However, EU import statistics do not reveal the market size as all imports are imparted at the first entry point, which is either Belgium or Netherlands, where dealers are based.

But France and Italy have now started to import Nile perch directly .The expert said that for the products to be recognized as having been eco-labeled, they must have the required certification and be independently accredited.

This will serve as a trade mark to make customers know they are safe for consumption.

At the same time fishermen operating on several small fishing Islands on the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria have in the recent past voiced concern a bout the deteriorating security situation. Pirates and heavily armed robbers from the neighbouring countries have been causing havoc with the lives of fishermen and fish traders in nearly all the Islands.

The affected areas are Ringiti ,Kiwa, Remba, Lolwe, Oyamo. At times the pirates have been reported as visiting the main Islands of Mfangano and Rusinga and seizing fishing gears such as fish nets, boats, out board boat engines, money and the coaches.

Thugs have also visited the kiosk traders running petty trade along the beaches. The fishermen have appealed to the government to beef up security operations on the Kenya's side of the lake in order to eradicate acts of thuggery visited on peace loving Kenyans.

ENDS
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

The writer is LUOCOME REPORTER based in Kisumu. We urge all LUOCOME members with pressing issues pertaining to media and press releases to kindly contact him from any where in world. He will assist you to get true picture of your Village Developement.
LUOCOME-MEDIA