Mafia leaders ordered to combat illegal fishing

DAILY NEWS Reporter in Mafia

The Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa (second right), gets a briefing from an official of TANPESPA on octopus storage when he visited the factory at Kilindoni in Mafia District, Coast Region, yesterday. (Photo by PMO)

PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has ordered the Mafia District Commissioner (DC), Mr Shaib Nnunduma and District Council’s Director, Mr Eric Mapunda to strengthen patrol to curb illegal fishing in the sea.

The premier said ongoing illegal fishing activities in the District denied revenues to the district council and the government at large and that there must be efforts to curb the situation.

He said the illegal practices weakened the government efforts to bring about development to its citizens. The Premier gave the order after visiting Tanpesca fish industry in the area.

He later addressed citizens at Kirongwe village in the district.

According to Mr Majaliwa, fishing is the main economic activity for Mafia residents and that illegal fishing completely affects the district council revenue and individuals’ incomes.

“We must apply all strategies to stop illegal fishing, this is the main economic activity for most people in this district. Those who use illegal means for fishing must be arrested,” he said.

The Alphakrust Aquaculture company director, which owns Tanpesca fish industry, Mr Ganeshen Vedagiri the company has employed a total of 855 and that 445 are residents of Mafia District. He added that out of 885 employees 250 are female.

According to the director, the company has a total of 76 fish ponds. He said at the moment they are harvesting fishes from 30 ponds and that each produces 5,000 kilogram in 150 days.

He said the company gets an average of 300 tonnes per year from 30 fish ponds. He added that in the 2016/2017 the company expects to get 120bn/-from exports and 62bn/- from selling fishes in the local market.

“We are also looking forward to pay 15bn/-tax to the government this year,” he noted. Kirongwe ward councillor, Mr Mohamed Gomvu mentioned villages that have been mostly affected by illegal fishing activities as Ndagoni, Kifinge, Chunguruma (Tumbuju) and Nyororo Island.

Mr Gomvu pointed an accusing finger to some government officials saying they have been weakening efforts to arrest the suspects by informing them on the strategies and plans regarding their arrest.