Fishermen on Lake Kivu on the Rwanda side of the shores in Nyamasheke district, have expressed concern over the declining catch due to use of poisonous traps by their Congolese counterparts, a method that is negatively impacting aquatic life.
Some fishermen in Nyamasheke have also been sighted in the practice.
“Illegal fish traps have been reduced among Nyamasheke residents, but are still rampant among Congolese who illegally fish from the Rwanda waters,” said Alex Nshimiyimana, one of the fishermen, requesting for intervention from authorities.
The president of Lake Kivu Fishers’ Association, Eliezel Ndahayo said that the illegal traps mostly affect small fish populations.
“The illegal fishing methods are a menace to the entire industry which have been eradicated from seven of the ten sectors of Nyamasheke that touch the Kivu shoreline. The problem now remains with handling Congo fishermen,” he said.
Nyamasheke is among the five Rwanda districts bordering Lake Kivu.
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