- The nets were burnt at Got-Kachola Beach in Nyatike Sub-County, Migori County, following a court order.
The government has destroyed 10 tonnes of illegal fishing nets confiscated during a crackdown on unlawful fishing activities in Lake Victoria, in a move aimed at protecting fish stocks and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
The nets were burnt at Got-Kachola Beach in Nyatike Sub-County, Migori County, following a court order obtained by the Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy.
The destruction followed enforcement operations that began more than a year ago, targeting fishermen using prohibited nets in the lake.
Migori County Chief Officer for Fisheries and Blue Economy George Ochola, alongside officers from the Migori Law Courts, including a prosecutor, witnessed the destruction exercise.
Speaking during the event, Ochola warned fishermen against using outlawed fishing gear, saying those found violating the regulations would face arrest and have their nets confiscated.
He urged fishermen to comply with the law, noting that illegal fishing practices were contributing to the decline in fish populations in Lake Victoria.
Ochola called on beach management units and fishing communities to work closely with the government in identifying and eliminating illegal fishing gear to protect the lake's aquatic resources.
He said sustained enforcement was necessary to safeguard fish stocks and ensure that fishing activities remained viable for communities that depend on the lake for their livelihoods.
Got-Kachola Beach Management Unit Chairperson Enos Ochola welcomed the government's action, pledging to work with fisheries officials to eradicate illegal fishing in the lake.
He attributed the declining fish catches to illegal fishing practices, saying the situation had affected fishermen who rely on Lake Victoria as their main source of income.
The destruction of the nets forms part of broader efforts to enforce fishing regulations and address practices that threaten the sustainability of the lake's fisheries.
Lake Victoria supports thousands of fishing households across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, providing food, employment and income to communities around its shores.
The use of prohibited fishing gear can threaten juvenile fish and undermine efforts to replenish fish stocks, potentially affecting future catches and the livelihoods of fishing communities.