Fatshimetrie
Striking images from the Ugandan lake police reveal a muscular operation against illegal fishing in territorial waters. Indeed, the authorities seized 24 boats as well as fishing equipment, including outboard motors and nets.
According to information relayed by the civil society of the Mokambo chiefdom, in the Mahagi territory in Ituri, the owners of this equipment are accused of practicing illegal fishing in Uganda. A situation that led to their detention, awaiting a probable financial sanction to regain their freedom.
Grégoire Thumitho, spokesperson for the civil society, sounds the alarm and calls on the Congolese authorities to intervene in this case. The detained Congolese fishermen will have to pay a fine of around two hundred US dollars to regain their freedom. An injustice denounced by the families of these fishermen, who find themselves forced to sell their property to raise the sum demanded.
Faced with this worrying situation, civil society is calling for urgent intervention by local authorities. It is calling for increased collaboration between the FARDC naval force units and the Ugandan authorities to find a fair and equitable solution to this dispute.
The administrator of the Mahagi territory has promised to communicate on this incident in the coming hours, suggesting a possible development in the outcome of this case. In the meantime, uncertainty hangs over the fate of the detained Congolese fishermen, raising concerns among families and the local community.
This operation to combat illegal fishing highlights the crucial importance of protecting natural resources and cooperation between riparian countries to ensure sustainable exploitation of aquatic resources. It is necessary for the authorities to strengthen control and surveillance mechanisms to prevent illicit activities and promote responsible fishing that respects the laws in force.
In conclusion, this case highlights the crucial issues related to the management of fisheries resources and the need to strengthen cross-border cooperation to effectively combat illegal fishing. It is imperative that the authorities act in a concerted manner to protect aquatic ecosystems and ensure the sustainability of fishing activities in the region.