NORTHERN PROVINCE BURERA — Officials of the Inland Lakes Integrated Development and Management Project [PAIGELAC] over the weekend burnt 100 illegal fishing nets at Ntaruka. The nets were reportedly impounded on Burera and Ruhodo lakes in the recent months. All members of fishermen’ cooperatives, fish mongers from the districts neighbouring the two lakes and residents witnessed the burning. The committee managing fishing on the two lakes read out the leading names of the fishermen arrested with the nets. About 39 of the burnt materials were mosquito nets which had been turned into fishing nets, 25 nets were deemed small and blamed for catching immature fish. Audace Dusabimana, of PAIGELAC-Ruhengeri called upon fisher men and residents neighbouring the lakes to fight illegal activities on the lakes; including trafficking of drugs from Uganda that are reportedly felled into the country using water transport. Close to 36 fishermen’ cooperatives with over 700 members operate on the two lakes. Fishermen were also asked to deal with illegal fishermen who are some times reportedly armed with spears and machetes as they carry out fishing at night. The recommended nets for fishing should have a width of four-inches while the recommended fishing hours are between 4.00 am and 9.00 am, authorities said. Fishing is a booming business on Burera and Ruhondo lakes; over 100 kilograms of Tilapia fish are reportedly caught everyday. Ends
