The government has banned seine fishing in Lake Victoria and ordered fishermen to surrender illegal gear within two days.
Seine fishing uses a surrounding net, called a seine, that hangs vertically in the water with its bottom edge held down by weights and its top edge buoyed by floats.
Seine nets can be deployed from the shore as a beach seine or a boat.
However, fishermen in Lake Victoria have gone a notch higher by using engine boats and use the method in breeding areas.
The fishing method is illegal because it catches even the immature fish.
On Tuesday, officials from the national government said the aim is to save the lake from destructive forms of fishing and reduce conflicts which have risen among fishermen.
At the meeting held at the fisheries offices in Homa Bay, the fishermen promised to obey the directive.
The meeting was attended by beach management unit officers, and officials from Kenya Fisheries Service, Kenya Coast Guard Services and the national government administration.
Lake Victoria BMU chairman Tom Guda and his Homa Bay counterpart Edward Oremo said legal action will be taken against the already identified people who practice seining in the lake.
“Officials who fail to comply will have their beaches disbanded and legal action taken against them. The seine fishing practice is destructive to aquatic life,” Oremo said.
Fishermen were also warned against engaging children in fishing.
BMU officials were asked to be watchful and restrain fishermen from going to the lake with outlawed weapons.
“KFS and KCGS officers will coordinate all the patrols and activities undertaken in the lake. All records about fishermen operating in the lake will be known,” Guda said.
Homa Bay deputy county commissioner Jude Wasonga said the directive by the government is meant to restore the lake to its original state, where fish supply was plenty.
According to the administrator, wrong fishing methods are the main problem affecting activities in the lake.
“There must be sanity in the lake. All fishermen are required to put on life jackets when going to the lake,” Wasonga said.
Agencies manning the lake will regularly monitor the water body to ensure fishermen comply with the directives.
Wasonga said his office and other state agencies will get regular reports on activities in the lake and give necessary advice on what should be done to restore it to its original state.
