Seven Kenyans held in Tanzania for 'illegal' fishing

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Seven Kenyans held in Tanzania for 'illegal' fishing
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2018 13:01
BY BD REPORTER
Fishermen prepare their nets after a fishing expedition at the controversial Migingo island in Lake Victoria. Seven Kenyan fishermen have been detained at a beach in Tanzania . FILE PHOTO | NMG

Seven Kenyan fishermen have been detained at a beach in Tanzania after they were arrested by security officials from the neighbouring county over claims of illegally crossing the border.

The fishermen from Remba Island in Suba North, Homa Bay County, were arrested on Sunday evening during a fishing expedition in Lake Victoria. Their four boats were also confiscated.

The fishermen, who were together with other colleagues, had 21 boats when they set out for fishing. The security officials later released 17 boats but detained their day's catch.

Homa Bay County Beach Management Units Network Chairman Edward Oremo said the fishermen had captured hundreds of kilogrammes of fish when they were arrested and detained.

He said they were yet to establish details in regard to the arrests.

“Those who were set free said they had not crossed the boundary between Kenya and Tanzania. The security officials took all their fishing gears and fish,” said Mr Oremo.

County Police Commander Mr Marius Tum confirmed the incident.
EA relations
He said his officers were on Monday investigating the circumstances that led to the arrest of the fishermen.

The incident has once again raised questions on the relationship between the East African countries on boundary issues.

In a recent meeting in Homa Bay County, security and fisheries officials from Kenya and Uganda agreed not to harass fishermen from either country in Lake Victoria as long as they obeyed the fishing laws of the respective countries.

Mr Oremo asked the government to incorporate Tanzania in the deal.

7 Kenyan fishermen arrested in TZ

Hapa East African protocol ilisahaulika?

Kenya arrests 109 Tanzanians for illegal fishing
Lunga Lunga MP seeks release of the Tanzanian fishermen to avoid a diplomatic row.


Police officers use a skiff to board a Tanzanian fishermen's boat that drifted to Kenya's south coast in 2011. FILE PHOTO | NMG

By The EastAfrican
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IN SUMMARY

• Lunga Lunga MP seeks release of the Tanzanian fishermen to avoid a diplomatic row.
• Mr Khatib Mwashetani says some of those arrested lived in the country.
• In the past, Kenyan fishermen have accused foreign nations of engaging in illegal fishing using big vessels along the coastline.

The Kenya Navy on Saturday arrested 109 Tanzanians for illegal fishing within the country's territorial waters in the Indian Ocean.
The fishermen, who were seized in Shimoni, aport village in southeastern Kenya near the border with Tanzania, were presented before a court in Kwale County on Monday.
They were remanded for failing to raise a cash bail of Ksh20,000 ($200) each, the Business Daily said, quoting Lunga Lunga deputy county deputy commissioner Mr Josphat Biwott.
But Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani appealed for the fishermen's release, urging Deputy President William Ruto to intervene to avoid a diplomatic row between the two countries.
"Those who were arrested are our brothers and we share a lot in common because most of the people living in Shimoni depend on fishing for their livelihood," he said.
RELATED CONTENT

• Kenya marks Tanzania border afresh amid row

He was speaking at Kwale Baraza Park during the World Environment Day on Tuesday.
Kenya and Tanzania have had a series of diplomatic and trade disputes that sour relations between the two neighbours.
Earlier this year, the two countries began an exercise to mark the boundary by replacing dilapidated and missing beacons and developing a vista along the common border.
The two nations share a 769km border.
The Kenya-Tanzania border is shared among communities from both sides and there has been cross-border business, agriculture and cattle grazing, especially by Maasai herders.
Mr Mwashetani said that some of the Tanzanians arrested lived in the country.
In the past, Kenyan fishermen have accused foreign nations of engaging in illegal fishing using big vessels along the coastline.
-Reported by Fadhili Frederick and The EastAfrican reporter.

Kenya arrests 109 Tanzanians for illegal fishing

Na waendelee kukamatwa tu.
Kwa nini wasitii sheria??

Unaanzaje kuvua nchi nyingine bila kibali??