EASTERN PROVINCE

NGOMA — Fishermen in the country have been warned against using illegal fishing nets and asked to preserve Lakes for better future returns.

Opening two-day seminar last week, Hillary Bigabo, of the Inland Lakes Integrated Development and Management Project (PAIGELAC), noted that fishermen only mind about the current proceeds from Lakes without minding about the Lakes’ preservation.

The seminar held at St. Joseph’s centre main hall, brought together members of fisher men’s cooperatives, associations, security personnel, Agronomists and executive secretaries of the Lake communities in Ngoma and Rwamagana districts.

"The future of our Lakes is at stake if we don’t protect them now," Bigabo said. "Whoever will be caught using unauthorized fishing nets will be dealt with accordingly," he warned.

The seminar aimed at laying strategies to protect the Lakes, fighting soil erosion and how to prevent catching of immature fish, by using small-sized fishing nets.

He called on women also to take part in fishing to empower themselves economically.

"We are in a modern era of gender equality and women still neglect some jobs which could be of great importance in their development and of which they can perform better," Bigabo said.

Flavien Uwiragiye, of Ministry of Agriculture, under which (PAIGELAC) falls, said the ministry would soon introduce new types of fish in the Lakes and urged the participants to protect them once they are introduced.

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