Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City..

The government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Fisheries, has announced that it would close the fishing in Lake Victoria with effect from first April, 2011.

The plan to close down the fishing business in Lake Victoria for three months has, however, elicited vehement opposition by politicians who have pleaded with the government ton rescind its decision owing to long period of drought and the prevailing famine conditions in most part of lowland location neighboring the lake.

A Homa-Bay politician Hilary Ochieng’ Alila argued that there is acute shortage of food grain, and the planned closing down of fishing business in the Lake Victoria would hurt the residents most.

Many families, especially those living in lowland location along the shoreline of Lake Victoria, are experiencing food shortage. The government should therefore withdraw its plan and allow the fishing to go on, particularly the fishing of “Omena” (ndaga}, which is the common food for the down graded members of the society.

The closing of fishing in Lake Victoria, which will be in effect from Ist April to July 31st, would hurt the locals and hit them below the belt. ”The consumers will have to miss the delicacy of Omena”.

The announcement was made by an Assistant Director of Fisheries Michael Obadha when he addressed a workshop of fisheries officials, experts and stakeholders from East, Southern, Central Africa as well as from Caribbean and Pacific nations in Kisumu City. He said the ban would remain in force unless lifted by the Fisheries Minister Amson Kingi.

“We have received messages of concern from fishermen and fish traders that we should lift the ban because of the recent prolonged drought, but that will depend on the Minister’s decree,” said Obadha.

But Alila who is the ODM youth coordinator countered back by saying that “This is a people’s government and it must yield and obliged when the situation calls for the continuation of fishing program in order to assist the poor families that depend entirely on fishing and fish trade.”

Alila who is a leading contestant in the Homa-Bay County Senate seat race urged the government to withdraw the banning notice, saying there is acute shortage of food grain and people who depends on fishing and fish trade would be hurt the most.”There was a crop failure in most part of Nyanza and the people are surviving mostly on fishing and fish trade as their outlet for cash which in turn they are using for buying food.

Omena the smallest fish which is also used in putting ingredient into animal feeds is the cheapest and affordable food for the down trodden people.

Pronouncing the ban, Obadha said the research, conducted on fish movement and breeding, shows that the peak of fish breeding season comes with the long rain, which have began in some parts of the country, hence the fishing ban. During the same period also coincides with the breeding of the economically important Nile perch and tilapia and other species.”And if fishermen are allowed to catch Omena, they were likely to end up catching other juvenile species.”

“This is why we are keen to enforce the ban during the rain season to forestall possible destruction f the breeding grounds.”

He made the announcement amid fear by fishermen of a possible economic strangulation against the local communities..

Each year, thousands of Omena fishermen are thrown out of business and trade by the ban and several sent to prison for illegally fishing in the lake despite of closure of the lake.

The Kisumu workshop had drawn participants from regional organizations, experts from Caribbean, central, east and southern Africa

The expert said that the ban if applied strictly would enhance re-stocking of the dwindling species. They said fishermen should view the ban-as a measure of sustainability, without destroying its diversity and ecosystem.

But fishermen lead by the National Beach Management Unit chairman Tom Guda appealed to the government to reconsider a waiver citing the recent drought. He added that the move will negatively affect the regions economy since brake in Omena could be felt by many Kenyans.

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