Seven fish factories close due to fish fall

Seven out of the 20 fish processing factories around the country closed recently due to insufficient fish stock. The Minister of State for Fisheries, Ms Ruth Nankabirwa said the factories could not find the required targets and as well failed to hit their quota due to acute fish shortages in the country.

Speaking at SON fish farm at Bugungu juvenile home in Buikwe District last week, the minister, who did not name the factories, said the shortages are mainly caused by illegal fishing and poor fishing methods.

“I don’t have names on the fingers but I am sure seven factories have closed due to fish shortage,” Ms Nankabirwa said. While appreciating that fish factories are grappling with high production costs; expensive feeds and unreliable power supply, the minister said this is being handled at higher levels since fish is one of the country’s key export income earner.

“Fish is number one on government agenda. We will partner with investors because they don’t evade taxes. Currently we are earning $80 million. At one time we were earning $150 million. We are losing a lot through illegal fishing.”

She added that the problem (losing money) is getting worse by the day. Ms Nankabirwa revealed that the country is losing up to $250 million through illegal fishing plus $70 million in tax evasion.

She said: “I have suspended issuing new fishing licences. It is illogical to permit new people to fish when there is no fish in the lake. We are suffering with low water levels. Lake George doesn’t have a single fish left.”

Disaster projection
Dr John Barirwa, a director at national fisheries resources research institute, said the country is producing between 400,000 and 460,000 tonnes of fish but it is projected to suffer 330 tonnes shortage by 2025 unless new ways of saving fish stock is adopted.

He said the country is gifted with 160 small lakes which are suitable for cage farming, a venture that can greatly boost fish stocks.