Alarm over drastic reduction in fish population in Lake Victoria

Fishmongers in Migori County have raised alarm over the drastic reduction of fish in Lake Victoria, especially at Karungu Bay.

Speaking to Citizen Digital on Sunday morning at Karungu Bay, the fishmongers led by Margaret Olang blamed the beach management unit for the reduction saying that, through corruption, they allow some fishermen to use poor fishing methods and gear, which pose a danger to the fish population.

According to Olang, the fishermen use undersize nets that catch all the fish, including fingerlings that are supposed to be left to increase fish population.

“So how do you expect the lake to have more fish if you have fishermen who catch even fingerlings without considering economic impact?” she posed.

The fishmongers expressed fears that many of them will be rendered jobless if the current fish shortage, which has currently seen many local processing firms close shop, continues.

The fishing industry has directly and indirectly employed thousands of people in the lake region.