RWAMAGANA-At least one tonne of tilapia fish species was harvested last month from Lake Muhazi, the first such harvest in the district’s history.

This was disclosed yesterday by Rwamagana District veterinary officer, Dr. Jean de Dieu Niyitanga.

He told The New Times that fishing in Lake Muhazi was boosted by the introduction of the tilapia species.

"There is an interesting development in the fishing sector...we have moved from producing almost nothing to a tonne of fish in a month. Tilapia fish imported from Egypt has a big hand in this success,” Niyitanga said.

"Poor fishing methods have been checked... we are set to even go an extra mile to develop the sector. The huge October production is just the beginning,” he said.

Meanwhile, fish wholesalers and retailers have expressed satisfaction over price stability.

Julian Mukandatimana, 38, a fishmonger in Rwamagana public market, said that since the introduction of tilapia, traders registered high sales and profits.

"We are talking of sizeable fish weighing between two to three kilogrammes. These are liked by consumers compared to small fish hence allowing quick turn over and profits,” she said.

A resident, Jean Claude Gatimbazi, 48, said that fish prices had significantly reduced in most markets.

He noted that fish forms a very important component of proteins people cannot afford to miss.

"We were hit by scarcity of fish, which is why prices increased time and again. Today, a kilogram sells at Rwf1,500 down from Rwf 2,000,” he said.

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