Government has attributed under performance in the capture of fisheries to limited regulation and enforcement of laws and guidelines which has led to continued use of illegal destructive gears that catch immature fish.
The remarks were made by State Minister of Fisheries, Hellen Adoa while speaking to the media ahead of World Fisheries Day which is celebrated every 21st of November.
She said there are five major lakes and over 160 minor lakes; rivers; wetlands, water reservoirs, valley dams, ponds whose potential if well harnessed can generate over 1,000,000 metric tons (MT) of fish per annum.
According to Adoa, aquaculture is constrained by limited investment in fish farming; high cost of production and limited access to high quality fish seed and feed.
“Both capture and aquaculture production systems face challenges of high post-harvest losses; inadequate human, technological and infrastructural capacity at all stages of the value-chain leading to low production and productivity,” she said.
She noted that the recent COVID-19 pandemic has also affected production in both capture and farming much more this year but fish exports are now recovering.
She expressed gratitude towards the stakeholders who have been responsive to government’s effort to address these challenges through the implementation of the National Fisheries Policy.
“This has led to improvements in fish stocks however production levels are still low i.e. standing at 594,000 MT from capture fisheries and 120,000Mt from aquaculture,” she said.
Adoa noted that Uganda however has a potential to provide 1,700,000 MT of fish with 1,000,000 Mt from aquaculture and 700,000Mt from capture fisheries.
“The Ministry will this month submit the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill to Parliament and this once enacted will streamline stakeholder involvement in fisheries management and ensure sustainable fisheries and aquaculture,” she said.