Economic and Business Reports By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City.

Fish experts I East Africa are predicting a new threat of fierce competition from Cod white fish from European lucrative market

This fish is favoring red in Europe but until a few years ago, its stock had diminished to a worrying level-leading to a boom in Nile perch imports.

And Now Lake Victoria fisheries officials are themselves worried over declining fish stocks in the water body, which is shared by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Cod white fresh fish hit European market last year, with the production in Belgium peak to 120,000 metric tones this year.

More production of Cod fish are expected from Britain, Norway and Scotland. As market that were recently importing Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania fish begin to produce their own, the competition will son get toughen.

“We must excel in aquaculture Cod white fish is farmed and compete better in the European market than Nile perch. Its stocks in the world market had diminished simply because of mismanagement,” said Uganda’s Commissioner for Fisheries William Mwanja in a recent interview.

At 17,400 tones Uganda is the largest exporter offish from Lake Victoria. Europe is one of the principal markets. Cod fish is a native to Europe. It is favored of many homes there.

Conservation efforts and fish farming {aquaculture} over the past few years are now yielding positive results in Europe.

Shortage of Cod fish had led to high demand in prices for East Africa’s Nile perch in Europe resulting in a near monopoly for decades.

Booming demand for Nile perch in Europe created more opportunities in Uganda for rapid industrialization of the fish processing sector in the early 1990.

More and more fish processors came on board, creating jobs and improving the lifestyles of local communities. Soon, however, poor management of fisheries led to illegal fishing, theft and a sharp drip in fish stocks and exports.

“We used to set about 20 fish nets and get enough fish, but today we set about 100 nets and get very few fish, “said Richard Semukwaya a fisherman Muchungu fish landing site outside Kampala.

The fisherman who has been in the trade for close to 35 years gave the example of Lake Albert in mid-western Uganda where illegal fishermen spend months in the middle of the lake fishing and smoking the catch.

Fish volume have dropped significantly in the past three years-because of export high of 28,394.8 metric tones last year earning USD 85,426.2 billion. Seventy per cent offish harvested in Uganda is immature, but it was readily marketed locally and in Kenya, DR Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan and Angola.

Estimated value stands at USD 100 million. There are 167 lakes in Uganda. Five of them, Victoria, Kayega, Albert, George and Edward.20 other are moderately big the others are relatively smaller..

Lake Victoria is the most productive. The Ugandan government, however is presently is considering leasing out smaller community water bodies for better management. But the move could stir up bitter political agitation by the community leaders as most of these lake are the major source of livelihood for the locals

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com