Rwanda National Police

Two men, who were fishing illegally in Lake Kivu using substandard fishing nets, were arrested on Wednesday in Nkombo, Rusizi District.

The operation was conducted by the police and local leaders to fight the increasing cases of illegal fishing and use of destructive fishing gears.

“Martin Banyanga, 67, and Seleman Sinderibuye, 58, were fishing illegally at night in Lake Kivu on the side of Nyakabande, Bugarura in Nkombo. They were using destructive fishing nets called Kaningini, which catch and kill even the young fish,” Superintendent of Police (SP) Athanase Ruganitwari, the District Police Commander for Rusizi, said.

The arrest of the duo was based on information provided by members of the fishing cooperative in Nkombo.

“These are destructive fishing practices that we are fighting; people who fish illegally and in most cases using banned gears, mosquito nets, Kaningini and other illegal nets trafficked from DR Congo, which catch and kill every size of fish including the juvenile. These practices affect biological fish growth… they lead to fish depletion,” SP Ruganitwari warned.

“Conduct your fishing business in a legal and responsive way; report those who break the law including smugglers and drug traffickers.”

He urged fishing cooperatives and communities living along the lake to report anyone they suspect to be involved in illegal or criminal activities in the waters.