FishingRomantis

East African Business Week (Kampala)

NEWS
10 September 2007
Posted to the web 10 September 2007

By David John
Nairobi

Kenya is raising the red flag on cross-border fishing conflicts that abound in Lake Victoria. This follows a number of incidents in which Kenyan fishermen have been arrested by both Ugandan and Tanzanian authorities for reportedly straying into and fishing in their waters. Last week 17 Kenyan fishermen were seized by Tanzania authorities near Tarime beach in Lake Victoria, bordering the two countries and heavy fines slapped on them.

"We feel this matter should be sorted out in the soonest time possible to enable us move on as we share this resource," Dr. Jacob Ole-Miaron, Kenya's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries told East African Business Week in aninterview.

"It is absurd that we are still faced with this problem. The sooner we dispense with it the better because it is not healthy for our individual economies and future integration plans that are on-going," he added.

Outdated fisheries laws and lack of proper policy frameworks by respective countries, though now being formulated under the East African Community protocols, are believed to be fuelling the conflicts.

Conflict over fishing territories has seen fishermen lose both their valuable catch and fishing gear worth millions which are normally confiscated upon arrest.

The move has not only eroded the gains made in the fishing industry but has also served to impoverish the fishing communities.

Experts say with the revived EAC partnership, the lake should be a shared resource and that there should be no boundaries, reasoning that it is difficult for fishermen to establish where the boundaries are during fishing expeditions.

Kenya holds claim to the smallest share of the lake with 6 per cent, compared to Uganda's 46% and Tanzania, with the largest chunk of 49%. This, experts say could also be contributing to persistent run-ins between the fishermen and law enforcers from respective states.

"While it is true that the three countries claim territories within the lake, it is not easy for the fishermen to know where the boundaries are especially during their fishing expeditions," says Prof. Dennis Ombok, a senior researcher with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries.

"Fish knows no boundaries and will roam freely in the waters and is it illogical to arrest fishermen who are pursing fish for trespass since their movement is guided by how the fish moves," he explains.

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) says it is working on a comprehensive bill - The Lake Victoria Basin Commission Bill - that will address the conflicts amicably arbitrate in the event of any eventualities.

EALA Member, Ms. Lydia Wanyoto said last week the assembly had collected views from member countries and stakeholders in the industry and would soon be tabling it in the house for enactment.