Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development Minister, Dr Charles Tizeba, saw the fish illegally caught through dynamite fishing. The consignment, with various types of fish, was brought to the market last Friday after thorough inspection at three zones.
The suspects are alleged to have disappeared sensing arrest. Dr Tizeba ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of the suspects. He revealed that government plans to table a Bill in the National Assembly that would propose amendments to the current Tanzania Fishing Act to declare dynamite fishing as economic sabotage.
The minister, speaking to authorities at the fish market, was angered by illegal fishing activities and deeply disappointed why the criminals were not arrested. He asked the Market’s Board Chairman to review the reception system at the ferry as well as strengthen supervision and security.
“If you fail to do all that, I’ll talk to the Ilala Municipal Council authorities so that they supervise this ferry. Automatically, you’ll have lost your job,’’ he said.
He said that Tanzania is a country being accused of illegal fishing, adding that that it was a shame when such acts were taking place near the State House. “It is a pity that all the suspects disappeared without being arrested. I want all of them to be arrested and their names be published for Tanzanians to see,” he said.
Dr Tizeba said that dynamite fishing was equally dangerous to all other living organisms and may may undermine the fishing industry. On legislation, he said the government will table the amendments in the Fishing Act under a Certificate of Urgency so that people convicted of illegal fishing do not pay fines but are treated as economic saboteurs.
“The current law that was enacted in 2003 and its regulations prepared in 2009 need amendments we abolish dynamite fishing,” he added.
Explaining how the consignment was seized, the head of the livestock and fishing at the Ilala Municipal Council, Msongo Songoro, said he received intelligence reports over dynamite fishing on December 16 at 4:30 am and a thorough inspection was carried out before the seizure of consignment.
“We are now seeking an inventory from the police force so that we can destroy the fish,” he said
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