Seven fishermen have been arrested and illegal fishing gear in their possession worth Sh1 million confiscated in two beaches within Suba North Constituency, Homa Bay County.
The fishermen were arrested this morning in a joint operation conducted by the Homa Bay County Beach Management Unit (BMU), the County Department of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries and the National Police Service.
Fishermen in the region had expressed concern over the re-emergence of the use of illegal fishing gear, locally referred to as “Bunglu” in several beaches in the County.
According to the County BMU Chairman, Edward Oremo, the illegal fishing gear were confiscated at Ndhuru and Alikamwa Beach, both in Lambwe Ward of Suba North Constituency.
Oremo said that the illegal fishing gears were confiscated when the fishermen were casting them in Lake Victoria ready for fishing.
Oremo revealed that the seven fishermen, including a 13-year-old boy were arrested while on their routine fishing expedition using the outlawed fishing gears.
The County BMU leader said that the fishermen were taken to Mbita Police Station awaiting to be arraigned in court for practicing illegal fishing in Lake Victoria.
He warned fishers who still engage in illegal fishing that the operation will continue in several beaches within the County, and they will be arrested.
By Davis Langat
