Tanzania in drive to fight illegal fishing gears in Lake Victoria

Tanzania on Thursday announced new operation to crackdown illegal fishing gears in Lake Victoria, Africa's largest fresh-water lake.

The move is part of the government's efforts to revamp fish stock in the lake, which in recent years had been plummeting due to increasing number of unfriendly fishing gears.

Charles Tizeba, Tanzanian Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, said the operation will involve burning all illegal fishing gears such as fish nets that are not allowed for fishing.

"This exercise involves all the security organs including police, who are fully armed and use speed boats," the minister said, urging people who are behind illegal fishing in the lake to voluntarily and immediately hand over illegal fishing tools.

He also called upon government officials to perform their duties properly.

"I will fire staff under my ministry who fail to prevent illegal fishing in their areas, and we will conduct an operation of listing illegal fishermen village to village."

The minister also received three patrol boats issued by the Tanzania's Ministry of Water and Irrigation for strengthening security in the lake. Endit