Busia
By Celine Wamala
Fishermen in Bunyala area in Busia County have protested over the introduction of new guidelines set out by Marine Coast Guard aimed at protecting water bodies and illegal fishing in Lake Victoria.
Cases of harassment and brutality meted against the fishermen have been the order of the day prompting marine officer to set the rules.
Speaking in Budalangi during a meeting that was also attended by government officials and area leaders, the fishermen expressed their dissatisfaction after the talks pointing out that they be given more time to comply with the guidelines.
They appealed to both county and national government to set aside funds for fishermen considering that they were adversely affected by coronavirus pandemic.
They asked the government to carry out sensitization of all fishermen across the 20 beaches in Busia and issue them with recommended fishing nets and protection from harassment from Ugandan officials.
County director of fisheries Timothy Odende noted that the national government and Kenya Coast Guards will work together to sensitize fishermen on importance of conserving the lake.
He revealed that they will come up with a roadmap to guide the fisher folk in order to eliminate illegal fishing in the Lake.
Fishermen want the marine department to restore their fishing nets that were nabbed last week after several demonstration over harassment by Ugandan officials.
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