Homa Bay fishermen have asked the national government to eradicate illegal fishing methods which have led to decline of fish population in Lake Victoria.
The decline in the fish population has caused serious concern among the fishing community in the area.
The situation has also led to the buying of fish from Lake Turkana. The fish is transported to Homa Bay using lorries, which has led to higher prices of fish from the Lake Victoria compared to those from Lake Turkana.
For example, three tilapias from Lake Turkana are sold at Sh220 at Homa Bay Pier market while the price of one tilapia of the same size from Lake Victoria is sold at Sh330.
But the demand for fish from Lake Victoria is much higher than that of Lake Turkana.
On Monday, some local fishermen complained of the low fish catch which implies low fish population in the lake.
They attribute the problem to wrong fishing methods. These methods include the use of small fishing nets which catch undersize fish.
Fisherman Dalafin Ogweno, who operates at Kisaka beach in Suba North constituency, said bad fishing methods have led to invasion of fish breeding areas in the lake.
“Some people engage in bad fishing practices in the lake and invade breeding sites, hence reduced fish population. It will be prudent if relevant authorities assist the situation,” Ogweno said.
Speaking to journalists in Homa Bay town, he said the practice will in the long run impoverish people who source their livelihoods from the lake.
Ogweno said they have reported the matter to the Homa Bay government.
“This lake is our main source of livelihood but we are losing the main resource which is fish,” he added.
Homa Bay Beach Management Unit chairman Edward Oremo appealed to the national government to work hand in hand with them to eradicate illegal methods.
Oremo said the illegal fishing methods is a serious challenge affecting fishermen in Homa Bay.
“Eradication of illegal fishing requires concerted efforts. We appeal to government agencies to join hands and help us eradicate illegal fishing in Lake Victoria,” he said.
Lake Victoria used to be the main source of fish in the area. It has employed many fishermen and fishmongers.
Edited by A.N
