Fishermen from communities around Lake Kivu in Western Province have called for tough measures to stamp out illegal fishers.

Aboubakar Ngendahimana, a fisherman belonging to Rutsiro Fishermen Co-operative, said some unregistered fishermen still operate on the ‘black market’ and use outlawed fishing gear.

He said this affects the co-operatives’ sales since the illegal dealers sell their fish at give-away prices.

He added that the illegal gear catches young fish, saying this could lead to depletion of some fish species in the lake.

Ngendahimana called on the concerned authority to draft punitive laws to protect the fisheries resources.

Dr  Wilson Rutaganira, the aquaculture and fisheries programme co-ordinator at Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), noted that the lake’s production capacity is also being compromised by fishing in breeding grounds (within 200 metres from the shores of the lake). 

He, however said a stronger policy and regulations are in the offing to help curb these malpractices.

The policies are awaiting Cabinet approval before they are implemented, he added during a tour of the fishing communities last week.

Rutaganira explained that under the current law fishermen caught using outlawed gear can easily get off the hook, adding that the penalties provided for under the law are lenient.

He is however confident that the new regulations will plug these gaps.

He said the lake accounts for over 75 per cent of the country’s fisheries production. This translates into 19,000 tonnes of the 245,000 tonnes of fish Rwanda produces. 

Lake Kivu is the largest lake in Rwanda and lies in the Africa Great Rift Valley on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fishers benefit from co-operative market

Meanwhile, the fishing communities have started reaping the fruits of co-operative marketing.

Thomas Ngirabakunzi of KOFIPROKI Co-operative, a group that brings together the fishing community in Rutsiro District, said since he joined the co-operative he has been able to cater for all his family’s needs.

"I am able to pay for my children’s school fees and buy basic necessities for the family using money from fish sales,” Ngirabakunzi said.

He is happy that the fishing communities around Lake Kivu presently earn good returns because they sell the fish through co-operatives.

"Co-operatives have strong bargaining power and are more efficient in produce marketing,” said the 54-year-old.

The vice-president of Rubavu Co-operative Union, Cecile  Ntabanganyimana, said co-operative marketing has greatly improved access to markets.

He said this has enabled him to pay for his children’s tuition fees using the money earned from fishing. 

"Lake Kivu does not only provide resources that improve the community’s welfare, but it also boosts the country’s economy,” he said.

Challenges

Ngendahimana said the two-month off-season period, from September to end of October each year to allow for stock regeneration in the lake is a big test for them.

"During this period we suffer a lot as we don’t have any other sources of income,” he added.

Celestin Simparinka, the president of Karongi Fishermen Co-operative Union, raised concern over mistreatment of Rwandan fishermen who cross to the DR Congo side of the lake accidentally.

He however said the Rwandan fishing community has been advised to always avoid the DR Congo side of the waters.