Minister of State for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, has distanced herself from the claim that there is a current total ban on fishing for silverfish on lakes.

On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Minister Adoa clarified that she only banned the use of the hurry-up fishing method.

Minister Adoa said there are reports of increased enforcement activities against fishermen by the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) in the name of enforcing the ban on silverfish and imposing a total ban on silverfish fishing.

“I did not ban the fishing of silverfish; what was banned was the use of the hurry-up fishing method,” Minister Adoa said.

She directed the FPU to immediately stop enforcement against the general fishing of silverfish and other types of fish that are using safe methods.

The Minister also expressed concern about the manner in which confiscated immature fish are burned by the FPU team.

“I did not say the immature fish should be burned; the fish can be distributed. It is good manners to give to people rather than burning them,” she added.

In a February 20, 2024 statement, State Minister for Fisheries Hellen Adoa banned the use of the hurry-up method used for catching silverfish in a bid to save the dwindling Nile Perch stock and also promote responsible fishing practices among the fishing communities.