Efforts to address the persistent challenges facing Lake Victoria’s fisheries sector have received a significant boost, with the East African Community (EAC) committing Ksh. 206 million towards the fight against illegal fishing and the promotion of sustainable aquaculture. The pledge was made during the 7th Annual Session of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectoral Council of Ministers (FASCOM) held in Kisumu, where EAC member states unveiled frameworks aimed at unlocking the region’s blue economy potential.
The funds, sourced from a regional trust, will support collaborative initiatives to curb illegal fishing, expand fish farming, and enhance value addition across the EAC region. This funding marks a crucial step in the broader push for sustainable development in the Lake Victoria basin, which sustains millions of livelihoods across East Africa.
Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Joho, who chairs the FASCOM council of ministers, praised the collective commitment of EAC partner states.
“Lake Victoria is a vital transboundary resource. We agreed on the parameters for addressing the challenges that hinder the fisheries sector’s full potential,” Joho said. “I’m dedicated to working closely with all stakeholders to achieve meaningful outcomes.”
Joho emphasized that the new regulations would foster increased productivity, stimulate economic growth, and create wealth for communities around the lake.
The Kisumu session also laid the groundwork for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EAC member states, paving the way for harmonized strategies to combat illegal fishing and develop aquaculture. Key officials in attendance included Kenya’s EAC Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Moe and Uganda’s Minister of State for Fisheries Hellen Adoa, signaling strong regional support for addressing declining fish stocks and improving the environmental stewardship of Lake Victoria.
As the MoU process nears finalization, the implementation of the Sh206 million initiative will roll out in phases, with an emphasis on community sensitization, policy enforcement, and support for small-scale fishers.
