Kampala
12/11/07
 
TANZANIA INTENSIFYING WAR ON ILLEGAL FISHING AND UNSEAWORTHY DHOWS.

By Leo Odera Omolo
 
Tanzania has made a swift move to restore order in fishing industry. The move includes the impounding of illegal fishing gears and unsea worthy boats.
 
The massive police dragnet carried out in recent past saw 133 suspected culprits being netted and apprehended in the lakeside town of Mwanza.
 
Illegal fishing gear and immature fish were confiscated and hundreds of fishermen arrested during the first two quarters of this year say a report just released.

  The report by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) says patrols were undertaken as part of the regular monitoring, control and surveillance operations aimed at sustaining the fisheries production from the lake.

  The Tanzania Fisheries Department carried out a national and inter-district patrol during the first and second quarters of this year to promote compliance with fisheries laws and regulations.

  A total number of 133 culprits were apprehended in Mwanza, Mara and Kigera regions during first quarters of 2007 with a wide range of illegal fishing gear including seine nets, mono filament nets, gill nets and others being impounded,’ says the report.

  Some of the suspects were apprehended for fishing or selling fish products contrary to the Fisheries Act and Regulations during inter-district patrol operation.

 The main objective of the combined national and inter-district patrol against illegal fishing in 2007 was to curb illegal fishing and allied trades.

  Financed through the Implementation of Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) project, the programme funds are disbursed to the fisheries division of the riparian states of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya by the LVFO with support from the European Union. It is implemented simultaneously in the three countries.

 The LVFO is an East African Community organ, which is charged with fostering co-operation among Lake Victoria partner states in the management of the lake resources.

  ‘’Participatory management approach involving stakeholders in the management of the fish resources proved to be useful in controlling and curbing malpractices on the Tanzania side of the lake.

  Fishing Community Organization known as Beach Management Units (BMUSO) co-managed the lake’s resources with the government’’ says the report.

  Meanwhile the Tanzania Surface Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) has blocked 24 dhows from sailing in any of its coastline.

 The dhows have been ferrying passengers from Tanga, Vanga and Kiunga on the Kenya and Tanzania borders.

 The move comes in the backdrop of the concluded East African Inland Waters Safety Conference held in Kisumu City two weeks ago.

 If Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda adopt the conference resolution, observes fear majority of vessels plying in inland waters and the Indian Ocean will be declared unsafe for transport.

 According to SUMATRA, the dhows have been declared unsafe due to lack of gears and sea worthiness certificates.

 Sumatra stopped their operations because they were suspected to be cargo carriers.
 
Sumatra official, King Chiragi, said the boats are not safe to sail in deep waters and urged owners to improve their status by fixing them with modern facilities as required ‘’the dhow would not be allowed back until another critical inspection is conducted and approved,’’ said Chiragi.

 He added dhow condition have deteriorated and were a risk to passengers. Quite a number lack facility such as seat manifests.

  ‘’We have appealed to neighbouring states to discuss any boat without certificates declaring them unsafe to sail,’’ said Chiragi.

 Vessels ferrying passengers between Zanzibar and the mainland Tanzania are a time bomb.

  Some engines are said to falling silent often on the high seas, posing a danger to passengers. The Director said that the authority would conduct seminars on awareness in various regions to improve marine transport.

 Ends.

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com