Illegal fishing triggers decline of exported fish fillets

NASHON KENNEDY in Mwanza

ILLEGAL fishing in Lake Victoria is reported to have led to the decline of the quantity of exported fish fillets to the world market.

This revelation was made here over the weekend by the Tanzania Fish Processors (TFP) Human Resource Manager, Godfrey Samwel, in a brief statement he made to the Parliamentary Committee on Industries, Trade and Environment. The Committee toured the factory to acquaint itself with the production of fish fillets and other related fish products.

The plant produces about 120 tons of fish per day, but due to fish scarcity in the Lake Victoria production has fallen to only 25 tons per day. “Lack of fish in the lake is contributed by illegal fishing, but we are confident that the government will tackle this problem,” Samuel told the Members of Parliament.

He said the factory’s quality control team usually visits various places around the lake to provide education on the hazards of illegal fishing as well as sustainable fish harvesting. TFP has established a sustainable fish project certified by a Germany Company, NATUR Land Project, for supporting the fishing communities with various schemes to improve their lives.

“Under the project, the company provides water, education, health, tools for safety, training on cleanliness, environmental protection and best ways of fishing,” Samwel noted. The company has offered employment to more than 300 people in Mwanza City.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Industries, Trade and Environment, Dr Dalaly Kafumu, praised the factory for protecting the environment and urged other lake zone fish processing plants to borrow a leaf from it. “I also congratulate you for establishing loans to fishermen. But don’t spoil the environment,” he said.

He raised concern on the decline of fish processed at the plant, a situation he said would have compelled the factory management to stop production. Other Committee members advised TFP to cooperate with the Mwanza City Council to combat illegal fishing as its corporate social responsibility.

“You can establish various projects to curb illegal fishing by cooperating with your neighbours,”said Dr Kafumu.

Committee member Dr Mary Mwanjelwa advised the government through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to craft a market strategy that would advertise products of Falcon Packaging Limited, a factory under TFP management. “The factory produces good plastic products which are not known to the public. I request the government to find a market for its products,” she stressed.