By Nasuru Hassan Ocen | The Dokolo District Fisheries Department has issued a stern warning to fishermen engaging in illegal fishing practices, urging them to abandon the use of harmful gears that endanger their lives and the sustainability of aquatic resources.
The caution was delivered on Tuesday evening by Benard Otim, the District Fisheries Officer, during an interview with tndNews.
He emphasised that illegal fishing violates government regulations and threatens the livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing for income and food security.
Otim reported that the district has so far registered a total of 206 individuals involved in the fishing sector. Of these, 180 are boat owners, 25 are fish traders, and one is a boat builder.
He explained that this registration exercise is part of the government’s strategy to formalise fishing activities, strengthen regulation, and ensure accountability in the sector.
However, he expressed concern over the low turnout in the registration of fishing gears, attributing the challenge to illegal fishermen who continue to sneak into the waters with unapproved nets and other tools.
“This discourages others from embracing the program positively and undermines efforts to streamline the fishing industry,” he said.
The fisheries officer further appealed to all fishermen and communities living around landing sites to comply with government policies by securing licenses for their businesses. He stressed that obtaining proper licenses is the only way fishermen can safeguard their livelihoods against disruptions from enforcement operations.
“Licensing ensures that fishermen operate freely without fear of interference and contributes to the sustainable management of our fish resources,” he added.
In collaboration with the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Otim said they have been stepping up enforcement to combat illegal fishing in Lake Kwania and other water bodies in the district.
The operations focus on removing destructive gears such as undersized nets, monofilament nets, and other unregulated tools that destroy breeding grounds for fish and reduce stock levels.
“Illegal fishermen often invade breeding areas, which disrupts the natural regeneration of fish populations. This puts the future of fishing at serious risk, not only in Dokolo but also in the surrounding districts that depend on the same waters,” Otim warned.
He stressed that continuous use of illegal gears leads to overfishing, depletion of fish stocks, and long-term economic loss for the communities.
By contrast, adherence to government guidelines on fishing helps guarantee sustainable harvests, better incomes, and food security for households.
The warning comes at a time when the government is scaling up efforts to modernise and regulate the fisheries sector in Uganda, with particular focus on promoting sustainable fishing methods, enforcing compliance, and protecting aquatic ecosystems.
Otim reiterated his appeal to fishermen to embrace legal practices, secure licenses, and work hand in hand with enforcement teams to safeguard their businesses and protect natural resources for future generations.
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