The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) has destroyed immature fish and fishing gears worth more than a billion shillings.
The burnt to ash fish and equipment are illegal, according to the laws of Uganda.
Lt Emmanuel Mucunguzi, the Public Relations Officer for the UPDF Marine Brigade, has confirmed that more than 800 kilogrammes of premature fish have been destroyed along with fishing nets and boats in a bid to control illegal fishing activities that lead to fish depletion.
The Hoima Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr Michael Kyakashari, urges residents to support their leaders in the fight against illegal fishing by reporting all suspected illicit fishers and suspected corrupt officials who facilitate the vice.
Some of the fisher community members appreciated the operation but majority say it is a disaster to their livelihoods and economic progress.
The destruction was executed on Wednesday at Kaiso and Kijangi landing sites in Hoima district.
