Brussels, 28/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved a programme worth EUR 29.9 million designed to assist Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda implement fisheries' management measures on Lake Victoria, and to help the 3 governments monitor catches and enforce measures to counteract illegal fishing.
In a press release, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson said, "I particularly welcome this Programme as it shows how we can combine development, environment and trade policy on a regional level to foster sustainable, economic growth. Economic growth is essential for helping to achieve poverty reduction in Africa. This Programme will make an important contribution to avoiding over fishing, protecting the environment and improving quality and safety standards of the fish."
The need for this type of programme has in part been prompted by the misuse, in the past, of agricultural pesticides by fishermen in Lake Victoria. This misuse resulted in fatal accidents amongst the local population and doubts about pesticide residues within the fish products. Therefore, in 1999, the Commission banned, for 18 months, Nile perch exports to the EU. These exports to the EU made up 90% of catches. Measures funded by the Commission, including monitoring control systems of sanitary status, were adopted and the safety and quality of the fish situation were restored.