Inadequate and unsustainable funding has impacted on regional projects being implemented by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), according to the institution’s executive secretary, Godfrey Monor.
He said here last week during the official launching of the third phase of the donor-supported Lake Victoria Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) III that lack of funding was one of the main challenges facing the organization which is one of the institutions of the East African Community (EAC).
The other challenges have much to do with the fisheries in Lake Victoria, a huge fresh water body shared by Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. It has been at the centre of declining fisheries and pollution.
According to him, the lake has seen increased fishing pressure in recent years as a result of increasing demand and rising prices of fish and fisheries products as well as inadequate infrastructure for fish quality and safety.
Although he could not give statistics, Mr. Monor said aqua-culture within and around Lake Victoria was underdeveloped and, therefore, could not meet the demand of fish and relieve fishing pressure from capture fisheries and other challenges caused by climate change.
“In order to curtail the decline of natural resources within and the lake, the commitment of the EAC partner states should be translated to action for sustainability of our fisheries resources”, he said during the launch held at the EAC headquarters.
The FMP III is expected to guide the sustainable management of the fisheries resources and thus contribute to poverty alleviation and improvement of livelihoods, in line with the EAC Vision and Strategy Framework for Management and Development of the Lake Victoria basin.
The launching event was graced by the permanent secretary in the ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Dr. Yohanna Budeba.
He emphasized the value of fisheries as a resource within the EAC region, adding that it provides massive opportunities because it is a source of income, it creates employment opportunities in both industrial and artisanal processing.
2016 AllAfrica