Fishing banned on Lake Kivu

Western Province and Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) have imposed a two-month ban on fishing on Lake Kivu due to the declining quantities of fish. Speaking to The New Times, RAB Deputy Director General in charge of Animal Resources, Dr Christine Kanyandekwe said the decision was reached at by all stakeholders to allow fish to breed. Kanyandekwe noted that the ban was imposed due to illegal and over fishing which has led to depletion of the lake.“We have noticed use of illegal fishing methods which have resulted into destruction of the fish stocks. The ban will positively affect the fishing industry,” Kanyandekwe said. “The temporary ban will allow multiplication of the fish while we also use this time to sensitise the fishing communities on the dangers of irresponsible fishing.”The fishermen are grouped in 30 cooperatives in five districts. “Currently, the output of Lake Kivu is 1,300 tonnes per month and it’s expected to rise to 5,000 tonnes after the ban,” Kanyandekwe said.The president of Federation of Fish Cooperatives (FEFICOORWA), Theophile Nyandwi, said the ban will help increase production. “The ban is harsh on the people who live off fishing but we hope the production will multiply,” he said.

National

Fishing banned on Lake Kivu