Proposal to ban Ugandans from consuming Nile perch

Many Ugandans consider Nile Perch to be a delicacy, and fish exporters have justified their appeal for Parliament to pass a law prohibiting local consumption of Nile perch fish.

The Uganda Fish Processors Exporters Association spoke before Parliament’s Agriculture Committee on Friday, claiming that if the plan is adopted, the species will be saved from extinction.

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2021, has been scrutinized by the committee.

The exporters claim the regulation would ensure that they have enough Nile Perch stock to feed their businesses and that there is a steady supply of the fish species to meet the tastes of overseas buyers of the highly sought-after delicacy, according to their chairwoman, Mr Sujal Goswami.

“For the past few months, the business that we operate has been on the point of going bankrupt. We are in a perishable sector with a niche market in the European Union (EU), which we do not want to lose, but we are likely to be forced out of the market because the EU prefers and imports only Nile Perch. Why don’t you leave the Nile Perch for export and the tilapia for local consumption and equity?” Mr. Goswami objected.

Mr Goswami, who claims to have been selling Nile Perch for 22 years, asserts that Uganda has established a significant presence in the European market. He went on to say that the law would allow the government to earn a lot of money from exports to the area and the rest of Africa.

The exporters insist that Parliament adopt the measure to protect Nile Perch, arguing that it has a larger market than tilapia, which has a low consumption in Europe and other international markets.

The proponents of the new law also encouraged Parliament to take seriously their request, citing the serious issue of illegal fishing, which is threatening the extinction of fish in our waterways and, as a result, the country’s profitable fish export business.
In January of last year, the government notified Parliament that the country produces at least 447,000 metric tons of fish.

Nile perch accounts for around 86,463 metric tonnes of total fish harvest, according to the ministry, with tilapia catching accounting for 49,768 metric tonnes. The Nile Perch was also stated to be Uganda’s most lucrative fish species, contributing $153 million (approximately Shs548 billion) in annual exports.
Some members of the group, however, were vehemently opposed to the extreme notion.

“It’s as though these folks are afraid of competition and are lobbying the government to make their worries of competition legal.” “Why aren’t they allowing us to eat Nile Perch?” Bbale County MP Charles Tebandeke was perplexed. “Nile Perch is high in nutrients and acts as a medication; it’s what I eat, and it’s why I look so wonderful…” he continued.

Mr Tabandeke accused the exporters of concealing their intentions behind the idea, claiming that they intend to utilize it as a conduit for stealing fish maw from fishermen rather than helping the fishing community to gain better pricing for the fish maw.

When dry, the swim bladder of large fish such as Nile Perch and other fish with similar bladders is referred to as a fish mouth.

In China and Hong Kong, fish maw is considered to be a lucrative trade, with a kilogram of the uncommon product fetching between $450 (approximately Shs1.6m) and $1,000. (about Shs3.5m).

Ms Janet Grace Okori-moe, who is also the Abim District Woman MP, responded to the committee chairwoman by promising to evaluate the ideas before taking a position. This is one of the ideas received by the committee from various fishing industry stakeholders.

The fishing community asked MPs on Tuesday to keep the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) on the country’s key lake bodies where fishing is done.

Given the country’s reliance on the fish trade, the committee’s vice chairperson, Ms Agnes Atim Apea, committed to mobilise parliamentarians to ensure the fishing sector receives adequate funding in the upcoming budget through the line ministry.

Concerning the bill

Ms Ruth Nankabirwa, the then-government Chief Whip who is now the Energy Minister, tabled a Bill in Parliament on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture in March, aimed at, among other things, regulating all fisheries activities and aquaculture production in a way that allows future generations to participate in the sector.It encourages all players in the sector to participate directly and indirectly.

It was then referred to Parliament’s Agriculture Committee for further scrutiny and extensive assessment, including, where necessary, the inclusion of ideas from other stakeholders in the sector.

The bill to replace the Fish Act, Cap 197, also proposes that the government create a directorate that will be fully responsible for the sector’s management.

If passed in its current form, anyone found guilty of fishing undersized fish faces a seven-year prison sentence or a Shs200 million fine. Persons who catch fish with dangerous substances, explosives, or firearms receive an eight-year prison sentence.

According to data from the Bank of Uganda, Uganda exported 11,402 tonnes of fish worth $72.97 million between January and July 2020. (Shs268b). However, this was down 46% from the 17,541 tonnes worth $106.53 million (Shs392 billion) Uganda shipped in the same period last year.

The most prevalent fish in Uganda are tilapia ‘Engege’ and Nile perch.