Immature fish worth shillings 2.2 billion has been impounded by authorities in eastern Uganda during the past six months alone.
Mohammed Lubega, the law enforcement officer in charge eastern region in the ministry of fisheries while addressing traders in Bugiri central market on Saturday, said most of the fish was being transported to Kampala on Fuso lorries from the districts of Busia, Tororo, Bugiri and Iganga.
Lubega said most fish dealers prefer dealing in immature fish claiming it is more profitable than selling the mature ones.
He warned that starting 2012, home to home operations are to be conducted to arrest people involved in the buying and selling of immature fish.
He urged the fishermen to help the ministry of fisheries curb the illegal fishing habits on Ugandan waters by reporting people involved in the ferrying of the immature fish species.
Lubega said most of the impounded fish was destroyed or burnt in the presence of members of the public or given out to prisoners.
The traders asked the ministry to ensure that they always keep information about persons involved in illegal fishing confidential. According to Farouk Tenywa, the traders were ready to give any information about people involved in the illegal fishing habits but are afraid of their lives.
