Geza Ulole
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 31, 2009
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Ban fish from Tanzania and Somalia, traders tell Uhuru
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4 2018
Lamu fishermen display their catches during the county's 4th edition of the fishing competition in November 2017. They want fishers from Somalia and Tanzania barred from selling their catches in Kenya. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
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Fishermen in Lamu County want President Uhuru Kenyatta to ban the sale of fish in Kenya by their counterparts from Somalia and Tanzania.
The call is by at 6,000 fishermen from Kiunga and Ishakani on the border of Lamu and Somalia. Others are from Mkokoni, Kiwayu, Ndau, Faza, Kizingitini and Pate - all in Lamu East - as well as Kipungani, Shella, Matondoni and Lamu Old Town in Lamu West.
DWINDLING SECTOR
The fishers said it is time the government took the bold step of banning their counterparts from the two countries as they have invaded the local market.
They said salvation is needed as the sector is dwindling.
Led by Lamu East Fishermen Association chairman, Mohamed Ali, they noted that the invasion has left them without a market.
RELATED CONTENT
"We forced to sell our fish produce at very low prices because they are always competing with us. The president recently banned the importation of fish from China. Let him to also think of introducing rules that will prohibit foreign fishermen from invading and swarming Kenyan markets so as to save our dwindling fishing sector."
SCRAMBLE
President Kenyatta banned the importation of fish from China in October. He wondered why imported fish should flood the Kenyan market at the expense of local produce.
Mr Ahmed Omar, a fisherman in Kiunga on the Lamu-Somalia border, noted that their counterparts sell their fish at "very low prices".
“Fishing no longer fetches us profits. Fish buyers are scarce so we scramble for them. We are worried that this trade will soon be history if something isn’t done,” said Mr Omar.
Regarding the insecurity which led to a prolonged ban on night fishing, especially in the border villages of Kiunga and Ishakani, the fishermen termed it a major hindrance to growth and expansion.
EQUIPMENT
The fishers also cited lack of modern equipment as a challenge to the growth of the sector.
Mr Famau Kupi urged both the county and national governments to purchase modern equipment for them so they can venture into deep waters.
More than 90 percent of Lamu natives directly or indirectly rely on fishing for survival but most of them still employ decades-old techniques.
“We urge the governments to come to our aid. It’s only by having advanced equipment that we can reap maximum benefits from fishing," said Mr Kupi.
Mr Athman Islam, of Ishakani village, also said the trade will only expand if they are equipped with modern tools.
“With modern tools, we will be able to match our competitors, especially those from Somalia and Tanzania, who seem to have everything needed for deep sea fishing. We can’t match them at the moment and that definitely means we can’t compete in the same market and win,” said Mr Islam.
Ban Tanzania, Somalia fish, Uhuru told
MY TAKE
Why r fish catchs from Kenya less than 50km away expensive than ones from Tanzania 1000km away? R they not using the same fishing gears like Kenyans? I think It's time Kenya has to devalue her currency! Nah muache u-laziness!
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4 2018
Lamu fishermen display their catches during the county's 4th edition of the fishing competition in November 2017. They want fishers from Somalia and Tanzania barred from selling their catches in Kenya. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
- The fishers said it is time the government took the bold step of banning their counterparts from Somalia and Tanzania as they have invaded the local market.
- President Kenyatta banned the importation of fish from China in October. He wondered why imported fish should flood the Kenyan market at the expense of local produce.
- Mr Ahmed Omar, a fisherman in Kiunga on the Lamu-Somalia border, noted that their counterparts sell their fish at much lower prices.
- Mr Famau Kupi urged both the county and national governments to purchase modern fishing equipment for them so they can venture into deep waters.
More by this Author
Fishermen in Lamu County want President Uhuru Kenyatta to ban the sale of fish in Kenya by their counterparts from Somalia and Tanzania.
The call is by at 6,000 fishermen from Kiunga and Ishakani on the border of Lamu and Somalia. Others are from Mkokoni, Kiwayu, Ndau, Faza, Kizingitini and Pate - all in Lamu East - as well as Kipungani, Shella, Matondoni and Lamu Old Town in Lamu West.
DWINDLING SECTOR
The fishers said it is time the government took the bold step of banning their counterparts from the two countries as they have invaded the local market.
They said salvation is needed as the sector is dwindling.
Led by Lamu East Fishermen Association chairman, Mohamed Ali, they noted that the invasion has left them without a market.
RELATED CONTENT
- State defends cheap China fish
- Fishermen welcome import ban
- China backs SGR funding amid fish trade fallout
- China fish imports threaten local fishers
"We forced to sell our fish produce at very low prices because they are always competing with us. The president recently banned the importation of fish from China. Let him to also think of introducing rules that will prohibit foreign fishermen from invading and swarming Kenyan markets so as to save our dwindling fishing sector."
SCRAMBLE
President Kenyatta banned the importation of fish from China in October. He wondered why imported fish should flood the Kenyan market at the expense of local produce.
Mr Ahmed Omar, a fisherman in Kiunga on the Lamu-Somalia border, noted that their counterparts sell their fish at "very low prices".
“Fishing no longer fetches us profits. Fish buyers are scarce so we scramble for them. We are worried that this trade will soon be history if something isn’t done,” said Mr Omar.
Regarding the insecurity which led to a prolonged ban on night fishing, especially in the border villages of Kiunga and Ishakani, the fishermen termed it a major hindrance to growth and expansion.
EQUIPMENT
The fishers also cited lack of modern equipment as a challenge to the growth of the sector.
Mr Famau Kupi urged both the county and national governments to purchase modern equipment for them so they can venture into deep waters.
More than 90 percent of Lamu natives directly or indirectly rely on fishing for survival but most of them still employ decades-old techniques.
“We urge the governments to come to our aid. It’s only by having advanced equipment that we can reap maximum benefits from fishing," said Mr Kupi.
Mr Athman Islam, of Ishakani village, also said the trade will only expand if they are equipped with modern tools.
“With modern tools, we will be able to match our competitors, especially those from Somalia and Tanzania, who seem to have everything needed for deep sea fishing. We can’t match them at the moment and that definitely means we can’t compete in the same market and win,” said Mr Islam.
Ban Tanzania, Somalia fish, Uhuru told
MY TAKE
Why r fish catchs from Kenya less than 50km away expensive than ones from Tanzania 1000km away? R they not using the same fishing gears like Kenyans? I think It's time Kenya has to devalue her currency! Nah muache u-laziness!
