Just after clearing the hyacinth from the part of Lake Victoria that borders Dunga Beach, overfishing is now becoming a major problem.
There are fears some species in Lake Victoria could go extinct as a result of overfishing, which includes trapping young fish that are not really ready for consumption.
That said, the creativity of fish farmers amazes me. The farmers have set up fish houses with nets anchored to the floor of the lake. They then buy fingerlings and put them inside the traps, feed them for six to seven months then harvest them.
The traps are three by two metres in length and width, and run 83 metres deep. They are then held down with anchors. This method is sustainable because it reduces the number of fish being harvested directly out of the water body.
This is not an initiative by the government or cooperatives. “The fish traps are owned by individuals, anyone who has the funds to buy and instal one can as long as they get certification to set them up,” says Sam Ochieng’, a boat operator on Dunga Beach.
However, there is the threat of theft. The fish traps can be emptied at night. The trap owners have thus set up a security house on the lake that is also anchored to the floor of the lake.
The future of barriers and trapping methods seems great for commercial fishing and protection of fisheries. There is need to protect inland fishing to ensure the fresh water ecosystem is balanced.
