The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has set up new measures to curb the illegal fishing of small pelagic fish, commonly known as mukene, following an outcry from a section of fishermen in Uganda about the increased usage of illegal fishing gear and methods among the fishing community.

This was revealed by Hellen Adoa, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Agriculture, who was addressing a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre on February 13, 2024.

“The ministry has gotten information that there is rampant use of a new technology called “Hurry Up” in the harvesting of these small pelagics. I wish to inform the general public and the fishing community that this is an illegal fishing method,” Adoa said.

“There is also a noted increase in the use of illegal fishing gear and methods among the fishing community. Gears such as monofilament nets, undersized gill-nets, and illegal methods such as “hurry up,” cast netting, and the use of beach and boat seines are rampant,” Adoa added.

Adoa informed the fishing community that, according to the fishing laws, on Lake Victoria, small pelagic fish can only be harvested by nets and meshes above 10 mm, and that on Lakes Kyoga and Albert, it is 8mm and above.

She emphasized that fishing of small pelagic will only be done using the scoop net method (Kyoota), which will only be done during the dark moon phase of the month.

Adoa instructed the fisheries enforcement agencies and community leaders to prosecute anybody caught using the ‘’hurry up” method of fishing.

The Ministry of Agriculture aims at protecting and enhancing the livelihoods of more than 60% of the fishing communities that depend on fishing.