In a concerted effort to curb illegal fishing practices and bolster the fisheries sector, the Livestock and Fisheries Ministry, in collaboration with the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB), has initiated a special program aimed at providing soft loans for the acquisition of fishing vessels and equipment.
The program's launch saw the issuance of 55 boats valued at 2.6 billion Tanzanian Shillings to invigorate the fisheries industry and tap into the vast potential of Lake Victoria.
Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Mr. Alexander Mnyeti, unveiled the initiative during a session in the National Assembly, responding to inquiries from Mr. Robert Maboto (Bunda-CCM) regarding government strategies to address illegal fishing concerns in Lake Victoria.
Mnyeti underscored the government's commitment to combat illegal fishing nationwide, unveiling plans for a specialized entity tasked with managing marine resources, particularly in Lake Victoria. The entity's mandate extends to curbing illegal fishing activities and ensuring the sustainability of marine resources for future generations.
Furthermore, the government has initiated a targeted program to promote cage fishing, issuing over 222 cages to fishers in the Lake Victoria zone. President Samia Suluhu Hassan recently championed cage fishing as a means to create employment opportunities in fishing communities, enhance revenue generation, and conserve marine resources.
President Samia distributed approximately 222 fishing cages and 55 boats to fishers across the Lake Victoria regions, including Mwanza, Mara, and Kagera. Fishermen have lauded the government's proactive approach to advancing the fishing industry through the provision of modern equipment, facilitated by soft loans.
The infusion of equipment, facilitated by soft loans, aims to address the persistent challenge of illegal fishing, which poses a threat to the sector's sustainability, particularly by capturing undersized fish below 50 centimeters in length.
The implementation of the cage fishing system holds promise for the entire fishing sector, with anticipated benefits within the next two years. It is viewed as a cornerstone of the country's fishing revolution, catering to the local market and boosting Nile Perch fillet exports while ensuring the sector's long-term viability.