Minister orders return to traditional mukene fishing methods to save fish stocks

The government warns fishermen that they could lose their boats and licences if they continue using illegal fishing gear.

State minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde said the government has not banned mukene fishing but is tightening controls on the methods used to harvest the small silver fish in a bid to protect other fish species and restore depleted stocks.

Mr Migadde said fishers should return to the traditional chota-chota, or scoop-fishing method, which allows smaller fish of other species like Tilapia to escape instead of trapping them within large areas.