The Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Robert Migadde Ndugwa, has revealed that the fishing of silver fish will be restricted to only 14 days at the beginning of the moon’s dark phase each month, as it rolled out new strict fishing guidelines.
“Fishing to be restricted to 14 days from when the dark phase of the moon starts for each month. Fishing to be done away from water bays, fish breeding areas and other zones less than 2km from shore shoreline” he said.
Hon Migadde made the remarks while addressing journalists on the new guidelines for the registration and licensing of fishing vessels at the Uganda media Centre in Kampala on Tuesday.
Migadde noted that each district will be required to submit to MAAIF a list of landing sites where the landing of mukene will take place, with only fishers possessing silver fish fishing services for the four years of 2026, 2025, 2024 or 2023 among other requirements permitted to take part.
“Fishing vessels have to be with minimum Total Length of 24 feet, maximum of one chota chota net (scoop net) mounted on a wooden ring of maximum diameter of 5 feet, with a handle, scoop net mesh size of not smaller than 8 mm” he said.
He added, “There will not more than two kerosene powered lanterns for each fishing boat, not more than two boat crew on each fishing vessel”.
Hon Migadde warned that Lampara nets or other panelled appliances will not be permitted on the waters, and noted that each boat will now be required to land with its catch and fishing gear on board.
Migadde noted that the new regulations come amidst widespread concerns from stakeholders on the social, economic and environmental implications of fishing mukene, which have called for the minimisation of the negative impacts of silver fishing.
“There have been more than two years since February 2024, when the use of lampara nets (modified and operated as hurry-up fishing) was banned by the Minister. Therefore, significant re-organization is deemed necessary” he said.
He added, “There was a ban on use of solar and other forms of light in catching of silver fish, announced through a Presidential Directive issued in December 2025. Guidance on restricted use of light is imperative”.
Minister Migadde further revealed that the new guidelines are intended to provide a simplified description of the process for qualification, application, approval and issuance of fishing permits and licenses for fishing vessel operations.
