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Geita authorities impound 3.3 tonnes of immature fish
2008-05-01 10:57:52
By Renatus Masuguliko, PST, Mwanza
Fishing authorities in Geita District, in collaboration with other stakeholders, have arrested 11 people allegedly for possessing 3.3 tonnes of immature fresh and dried fish worth more than 6m/-.
Talking to PST on Monday, the head of the task force, Shafii Kitery, said the consignment of fish which was being transported to selling points included immature Nile perch (Sangara) and tilapia (Sato).
The suspects were nabbed with the fish believed to have been fished in Lake Victoria in Geita and Sengerema districts.
The move followed an exercise involving various stakeholders which aimed at checking illegal fishing in the lake.
He said some of the impounded fish were destroyed, while some were distributed freely to government institutions including secondary schools and prisons. He also said all the suspects would soon appear in court.
Earlier this month eight people were arrested after they were found with more than 2.8 tonnes of immature fish and an assortment of illegal fishing gear valued at 24m/. The culprits had already been charged in court.
According to him, since the formation of the task force to combat illegal fishing in the area, the value of fish and fishing gear impounded within one month had reached 30m/-.
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