Nile Perch Decline Threatens Uganda's Fish Factories with Collapse

Uganda’s fish processing industry is in crisis as Nile Perch stocks in Lake Victoria have sharply declined, forcing most factories to shut down. According to Daisy Aciro Olyel, Commissioner for Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, operational factories dropped from 26 in 2012 to fewer than six now.

Speaking at a Cross-border Fish Traders’ dialogue in Jinja, Aciro explained that overfishing and regulations protecting immature fish have made it impossible to sustain operations reliant on wild catches. Uganda produces around 700,000 metric tonnes of fish yearly, with over 600,000 tonnes from natural waters and 130,000 from aquaculture, but wild production has hit its ceiling.

“The future is in aquaculture,” Aciro stated, with government goals to reach one million metric tonnes by 2040.

William Tibyasa Mwesigye, CEO of the Uganda Fish Processors and Exporters Association, blames illegal fishing methods like ‘kokota’ and cross-border trade in immature fish for devastating breeding grounds. Exports of Nile Perch fell to 2,000-2,200 tonnes in January-February this year, the lowest in 20 years, compared to previous peaks of 5,000-6,000 tonnes.

The fallout includes job cuts from 5,600 to about 3,500 workers, eroding investor confidence. Tibyasa urges tougher enforcement, regional policy alignment, and cuts to power and transport costs to avert total collapse.

“We must end illegal fishing of immature fish and ensure firm, unbiased enforcement,” he warned.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)