Ukerewe DC Oversees Destruction of 21M TZS Illegal Fishing Gear

• Ukerewe District Commissioner Christopher Ngubiagai oversaw the destruction of illegal fishing gear worth 21 million Tanzanian shillings.
• The destruction took place in Bukongo ward on November 4, 2025, following a special operation that seized gear from Ngoma, Bukanda, and Bwiro Wards.
• The destroyed equipment included 21 Timba type fishing nets valued at 2.1 million shillings and 19 large seine nets with 400 ropes valued at 19 million shillings.
• Authorities, including the Police Force, Natural Resources Department, and Fisheries Department, collaborated on the seizure and destruction.
• Officials urged fishers to adopt modern, legal methods like cage fishing using government loans, warning that illegal practices severely damage fish breeding grounds.

Illegal fishing causes severe and often irreversible damage to vital fish breeding grounds, thereby threatening the long-term viability of the district's aquatic ecosystems and the livelihoods dependent on them.

Ukerewe District Commissioner Christopher Ngubiagai recently oversaw the public destruction of illegal fishing equipment, an operation that saw gear valued at 21 million Tanzanian shillings eliminated. This significant enforcement action took place in Bukongo ward on November 4, 2025, following a targeted special operation conducted throughout the district. The confiscated apparatus had been systematically seized from various locations, specifically Ngoma, Bukanda, and Bwiro Wards, indicating a comprehensive effort to address widespread non-compliance with fishing regulations.

The successful operation was the result of a concerted, collaborative initiative involving several key local government and security agencies. Personnel from the Police Force, the Natural Resources Department, and the Fisheries Department of the Ukerewe District Council worked in unison to identify, confiscate, and ultimately destroy the illicit fishing tools. This coordinated approach underscores the district's unwavering commitment to combating unauthorized fishing activities and preserving its aquatic resources.

Ukerewe District Police Commander SSP Elijah Matiku provided precise details regarding the extensive array of equipment that was destroyed during the recent exercise. The inventory included 21 Timba type fishing nets, which alone carried an estimated value of 2.1 million Tanzanian shillings. In addition to these, law enforcement officials eradicated 19 large seine nets, accompanied by 400 associated ropes, with these particular items collectively valued at 19 million Tanzanian shillings. The sheer volume and value of the destroyed gear highlight the scale of illegal fishing previously occurring in the area.

Commander Matiku further affirmed that the committee responsible for these operations is fully committed to maintaining continuous patrols across the district. This ongoing surveillance and enforcement strategy is designed to ensure the complete eradication of all illegal fishing gear. The police force's resolute stance underscores a sustained effort to uphold fishing regulations and protect the vital marine ecosystems within Ukerewe.

During the public destruction event, Commissioner Ngubiagai delivered a compelling message to the district's youth and established fishing communities. He strongly urged them to completely abandon illegal fishing methods, which undermine sustainability, and instead transition towards adopting modern, more productive techniques. The Commissioner specifically encouraged individuals to leverage government-provided loans, which are designed to facilitate investment in productive cage fishing, emphasizing its significant potential to foster a robust and sustainable local economy for the benefit of all residents.

Mr. Godfrey Ayako, who serves as the Head of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, further elaborated on the council's proactive educational initiatives. He noted that comprehensive educational programs are continuously offered to inform the public about safe and legally sanctioned fishing practices. Ayako highlighted the critical environmental and economic imperative behind these efforts: illegal fishing causes severe and often irreversible damage to vital fish breeding grounds, thereby threatening the long-term viability of the district's aquatic ecosystems and the livelihoods dependent on them. The Commissioner also reiterated his call for the wider public to continue their active cooperation with authorities to safeguard Ukerewe's overall economic well-being.

Source: Original reporting via Daily News