It is fact that the East African Community is the abundance of opportunities for fishing throughout the region, blessed with the longest and biggest lakes and rivers in the world; Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Kivu, Congo River, Ruzizi River and River Nile– with over 350 species of fish. It offers some of the finest fishing in Africa which has gained world-wide fame meaning as fish caught are absolutely perfect for world market.
It is true that for years, the East African Community’s economy boost has largely been on fishing, because the waters have vast numbers of commercial fish species. Main species include the legendary Nile Perch, abundant Tilapia, Tiger-fish, Mud-fish and Cat-fish. Fishing is a major source of employment in the EAC, while much of the regional population’s derives its livelihood directly or indirectly from the water bodies.
There is no compliance, limited monitoring and the boats use gear that rips up the seabed and their indiscriminate human predators also slaughter dolphins and rare turtles. The changes in environment has also affected the fishing sector in the region leading to decline in fish exports and the closure of some fish factories. Now it has become necessary to boost the fishing industry in the EAC.
For the EAC to resuscitate the once leading export industry, the regional governments need to work together to improve the management of the fish industry in the region and finding sustainable ways of reviving dwindling fish stocks, while protecting employment in the industry, opined experts. It is also said that increased investment would improve the preservation and packaging of fish and speed up its route to market.
