Govt urges fisheries investors to embrace science

MWANZA: THE government has urged investors in the fisheries sector to strengthen the use of science, research and quality fish fingerlings to improve productivity in cage fish farming.

The call was made on monday by the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Ambassador Dr Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, during his visit to the Big Best Company Limited’s cage fish farming project in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region.

Dr Bashiru said the government, through the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, was encouraging major investors in the fisheries sector to take advantage of opportunities in aquaculture, including investing in fish feed manufacturing.

He said the growing aquaculture industry required investors to embrace science and research and ensure the use of quality fingerlings to increase production and improve the efficiency of fish farming.

“Major investors in the fisheries sector should seize the opportunity to invest in fish feed manufacturing. The aquaculture sector is growing in the country, and it is important that your production is guided by science and research,” Dr Bashiru said.

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He directed the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) to strengthen collaboration with investors and conduct research aimed at assessing and improving the quality of fish fingerlings produced in the country.

“TAFIRI should work together with investors to conduct research on the quality of fish fingerlings in the country,” he said.

The minister said the government was also finalising regulations and legislation that would prohibit the harvesting, storage, transportation and sale of undersized fish as part of efforts to promote sustainable fisheries management.

He said education on sustainable fishing practices was currently being provided to fishermen before the new regulations and legislation came into effect.

“We are continuing to provide education on sustainable fishing practices to fishermen before the regulations and legislation come into force,” Dr Bashiru said.

Acting Chairperson of the Board of Directors of The Big Best Company Limited, Prof Samwel Mchele Limbu, said the company’s cage fish farming project had the capacity to produce eight million fish fingerlings.

He said the company, whose investment is valued at 205bn/-, currently operates 250 fish-rearing cages and 500 harvesting cages.

Prof Limbu added that the company was also planning to construct a fish feed manufacturing plant in Mwanza with the capacity to produce 72,000 tonnes of fish feed annually.

He said the planned investment would further strengthen the aquaculture value chain by increasing the availability of locally produced fish feed.

For his part, Ilemela Member of Parliament William Kafiti urged the government, through the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, to continue identifying and properly managing the boundaries of fishing areas to minimise conflicts among different users of Lake Victoria.

He said clear identification and management of fishing areas would help prevent disputes and promote peaceful use of the lake among communities whose livelihoods depend on it.

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