The Uganda Fish Processors Exporters Association (UFPEA) have come up with an extremely absurd and inherently selfish proposition as far as the consumption and sell of Nile Perch goes.
Research including that done by Food and Agriculture Organisation, generally shows that Nile Perch was introduced into Lake Victoria in the 1950s.
While it was introduced amidst controversy and disapproval, with one camp arguing it would destroy the lake’s eco-system and another camp saying it would provide the lake with a fishery, the fish stock grew exponentially over the years and Ugandans have come to consider Nile Perch as a well-liked meal which feeds millions of people.
That is why the request by the UFPEA to have local consumption of the fish banned, is bizarre.
To ban Ugandans from fishing for it for local consumption would be sacrilegious. What Parliament needs to do is harmonise the needs of the local fishermen, the traders and ensure regulation that sees to it that both Ugandans and the foreign market get a piece of the pie.
Read more:
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/editorial/harmonise-needs-of-fishermen-traders-3595730