The government in Tanga Region has managed to control illegal fishing, including dynamite fishing, along the region’s coastal Indian Ocean waters following an intensive operation that was carried out last year with a view to eliminating the vice.
Tanga Regional Commissioner (RC), Ms Chiku Gallawa
The operation, which was carried out at different times last year, apprehended about 20 suspects who were allegedly involved in illegal fishing especially those who were using dynamite and prohibited small size nets.
According to Tanga Regional Commissioner (RC), Chiku Gallawa, illegal fishing is unacceptable in the region, just like any other place in the country, because it caused a lot of environment destruction in ocean waters. It also damaged the eco-system creatures.
Giving statistics, the regional boss said that during the operation about 240 kilos of fish, which were killed by dynamite were impounded and destroyed before reaching the market.
“Dynamite fishing is dangerous not only to the environment, but also to human beings because the fishes may contain dangerous chemicals, toxins and poisons that can be dangerous to health when consumed.
“We fought illegal fishermen vigorously and succeeded to some extent in reducing the harm they cause to society. The patrols continue,” she said. She further said that six water vessels which were used in dynamite fishing, 10 dynamites, 20 arrows, five guns and 60 illegal nets were impounded in Tanga ,Mkinga and Handeni districts.
She said that all arrested suspects were prosecuted in counts of law where some cases have already been heard and judgements handed out and others were still continuing at different levels.
She, however, said that apart from such challenges the fishing sector was doing well though there was a slightly decline in terms of productivity last year as compared to the harvests acquired in the previous year.
Giving an example, she said that in the year 2012 about 481 tonnes of fish were harvested, but last year only 316 tonnes of fishes were landed in the region.
Some fishermen use dynamite to blast fish colonies or their breeding grounds ruining the ecological balance of the coastal area. The fishermen also use banned gear such as gillnets, monofilaments, beach seines and others.
These fishing gear have been banned mainly because they catch all sorts of fish including the young. Some fishers trap fish using Thionex or Thioden which are poisonous chemical compounds that are dangerous to human health.
The medical world is aware that apart from being potential killers, Thionex and Theoden can cause impotence in men. These dangerous fish catches are sold in the entire coastal area and farther afield.
By NESTORY NGWEGA, Tanzania Daily News
