Hellen Adoa, Uganda's Minister of State for Fisheries, expressed her delight at attending the sixth regular session of the fisheries and aquaculture sector Council of Ministers meeting of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO).
She also expressed happiness at presiding over the session as Uganda handed over the chairmanship to another partner state, Burundi.
Adoa emphasized the honor and pleasure Uganda felt in chairing the LVFO during its tenure. She highlighted various actions taken during this period, including the appointment of a new executive secretary and the implementation of programs such as True Fish and CO Fish.
Adoa also mentioned the upcoming World Aquaculture Conference in June 2025, which will be hosted in Kampala, making East Africa the second place in Africa to host such a significant global event after South Africa.
Adoa thanked the entire LVFO team for their activities and undertakings.
She stressed the importance of Lake Victoria as a crucial natural resource base supporting social and economic livelihoods and millions of people, as well as being a significant source of national income from fish exports.
Adoa called for the promotion of responsible fisheries activities through sustainable fishing technologies and methods, as well as harmonized enforcement initiatives.
She highlighted the increasing population and emphasized the need for sustainable management of Lake Victoria fisheries to avoid adverse consequences.
Adoa urged the Council of Ministers and technical teams to set rules and promote community participation in fisheries management through sound policy frameworks.
On his part, Mvurya Salim Mgala, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, delivered a powerful call to action aimed at addressing the pressing challenges facing Lake Victoria.
With a deep understanding of the environmental, economic, and social implications at stake, Mgala emphasized the urgent need for adaptive measures to safeguard the lake's vitality and ensure its sustainability for future generations.
Mgala highlighted the significant impact of climate change on Lake Victoria, citing rising water levels leading to floods and environmental changes contributing to dwindling fish stocks. He stressed the importance of adopting adaptive strategies in conjunction with regular meetings to address these challenges effectively.
Mgala emphasized the pivotal role of Lake Victoria as a source of nutrition and livelihoods for surrounding communities, advocating for investments that transform the lives of fishermen and other stakeholders.
Furthermore, Mgala underscored the Government of Kenya's commitment to promoting fisheries, aquaculture, and the blue economy, particularly in the Lake Victoria region.
He outlined initiatives aimed at transitioning fishermen from subsistence to investment-oriented practices and fostering aquaculture development to provide training and enhance human resources.
As the newly appointed Vice Chairperson of the organization, Mgala expressed his dedication to working collaboratively to implement decisions and initiatives that benefit the region.
He emphasized the importance of coordination and learning from each other within the broader East African Community, proposing a multi-agency approach to address challenges facing Lake Victoria.
Mgala concluded by announcing Kenya's upcoming Blue Invest Conference in July, aimed at attracting investors to the fisheries and blue economy sectors.
He extended invitations to member states to participate in the conference, emphasizing the opportunity to showcase projects and engage with potential investors to drive regional growth and development.
Mgala urged stakeholders to remain committed to the organization's mission, recognizing the significant impact of their decisions on the lives of millions of people dependent on Lake Victoria.
Speaking at the meeting, Tanzania Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Alexander Mnyeti, reiterated the critical role of the fisheries sector in the social and economic development of East Africa and its partner states. He emphasized its significant contribution to food security in the region.
Mnyeti commended the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) Secretary for their initiative in mobilizing resources from government partners to implement programs and projects in fisheries and agriculture across partner states. He praised LVFO's efforts in promoting cooperative approaches to the conservation, management, and development of fisheries resources.
In response, East African Community (EAC) has initiated efforts to gather stakeholder opinions to update community strategies addressing challenges in the fisheries sector. Additionally, efforts have been made to develop fish farming zones covering 200-meter areas in Lake Victoria, with the capacity to hold 30 small to medium-sized fish cages.
Mnyeti urged other member states to contribute to these consultations for effective prevention strategies. He commended the outgoing chairperson from Uganda for their successful implementation of activities and productivity, while also welcoming the incoming chairperson from Burundi.
In conclusion, Mnyeti thanked attendees for their participation in the sixth session of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Council of Ministers. He expressed gratitude to Tanzania for hosting the event and welcomed participants to the country.
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