A new study has recommended floating cage fish farming to be promoted across Uganda’s lakes and rivers as an alternative to declining fish stocks.
The study by Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) and National Fisheries Resources Research Institute says if properly utilised, cage fish farming could increase jobs in the fisheries sector as well as increase export earnings.
The research findings of the study published in the July edition of the EPRC publications was conducted by Dr. Anthony Taabu Munyaho, the Director Fisheries institute and Tonny Odonkonyero, a researcher at Makerere University-based EPRC. They say poor performance of fish exports, Uganda’s second foreign exchange earner, must be reversed using appropriate and or complementary interventions. They mention aquaculture as one possible option.
Aquaculture is growing at approximately two percent per year, mainly from African Cat Fish and Tilapia.
Studies show that intensive investments in cage fish farming have also taken place, with over 2,000 cages on L. Victoria alone, with an estimated production of 1.74 metric tons of Tilapia fish in 2015.
Commercial fish stocks on Victoria and other lakes in the country have plummeted due to over fishing, pollution and the introduction of invasive species among others. Uganda like its neighbours has received support from China and other countries to support floating cage fish technology.
