Fisheries Minister Orders Seizure of 402 Illegal Fishing Nets in Jinja

State Minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde has directed the seizure of 402 illegal fishing nets, including prohibited monofilament nets, found at a warehouse in Jinja City. The discovery followed a tense encounter between the minister’s team and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials at the customs-bonded facility.

Minister Migadde, acting on intelligence about the offloading of illegal gear, visited the URA-operated warehouse. Access to the premises was initially contested by URA officials and warehouse management, leading to a brief standoff. After negotiations, the Minister met with URA officials and was subsequently allowed to inspect the warehouse.

Confirming the presence of the illegal nets, Mr. Migadde emphasized the importance of intercepting such gear before it reaches the market, where it becomes difficult to trace. He stated that the seized nets would be held by the government, giving the owner 30 days to comply with necessary legal procedures. Failure to do so could result in the nets being destroyed.

A URA official clarified that the consignment was already under seizure and undergoing mandatory customs procedures after an alert was received from the border. The importer had been advised to obtain the required permit from fisheries authorities within the legal 30-day window.

This operation is part of a broader government crackdown on illegal fishing practices aimed at conserving dwindling fish stocks and protecting immature fish. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2023, strictly prohibits the use, manufacture, stocking, or sale of prohibited fishing gear, with penalties including fines or imprisonment for offenders. Uganda has previously deployed military forces to combat illegal fishing and has strengthened enforcement measures across its lakes and markets.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/fisheries-minister-orders-seizure-of-402-illegal-fishing-nets-in-jinja-warehouse-5557262