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MARINE TRAWLING
BAN WELCOMED

PRACTICE RESULTS IN 'UNACCEPTABLE
WASTAGE OF VALUABLE FISH'

Coastweek - - East African Wild Life Society has commended Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development Hon. Joseph Munyao for suspending the licenses issued recently to the marine Trawlers operating in Kenyan waters.

EAWLS Executive Director Ali A. Kaka noted in Nairobi:

"The licenses had been issued despite the reports presented on the adverse effects of trawling in the areas where they have been operating and the continuing outcry of the local fisherman over the drastic decline in their fish takes.

"The flaunting of the regulations and limitations set by Government has been a matter of serious concern among alt stakeholders.

"The sheer wastage of valuable fish evident from this practice is unacceptable when local fisherman and their families continue to go hungry and to live in poverty.

"In addition to the assessment of the state of the remaining resources, the technique used by the trawlers needs to be independently reviewed in detail before any permission is granted again in the future.

"It is our earnest hope that there will not be a hasty reversal of this decision to ban the trawlers in the near future."