Six people are in police custody in Namayingo district for engaging in illegal fishing methods on the shores of Lake Victoria.
The six were arrested on Monday at Musoli and Busiro landing sites following a joint operation mounted by the police in collaboration with beach management unit officials along the shores the lake shores.
The six were identified as Joseph Were, Godfrey Oballah, Fred Oundo, David Onyango, Isa Farouk and Yacob Nuwagaba.
The district fisheries officer, Namayingo, Fred Igoma said 4 beach sein nets commonly known as Kokota, 36 under size gill nets, and 28 mono filaments were also impounded from the fishermen during the joint operation.
Igoma said illegal fishing gear worth 35 million shillings has been impounded during the past weeks in the district and later burnt down.
He said starting September 10th, fisheries officials will adopt a new method to sensitize fishermen on the islands of Busiro, Lufudu, Biso and Sidome to avoid engaging in illegal fishing habits.
Igoma said Lugala and Musoli were the areas with the biggest number of fishermen who practice illegal fishing habits and fish poisoning along the shores of Lake Victoria.
He said wiping out the vice totally is difficult because most fishermen involved in the practice are always charged little fines of shillings 10,000 or imprisoned for one month. Besides, Igoma noted, most of the illegal fishing gear are made locally by the fishermen in their homes.
Igoma urged government to set tough punitive measures for fishermen involved in illegal fishing habits.
The district police commander, John Okae said the six are to appear in court to answer charges of engaging in illegal fishing.
Okae said the impounded illegal gear is to be burnt down this week.
