By MN Reporter

Migori County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich has assured residents and leaders that they will lead a crackdown on illegal fishing nets along Lake Victoria called Amuok.

Cherutich, during a security meeting at his office in Migori town said the crackdown will involve border patrol units, Kenya Coast guards, Immigration officers and administration police and chiefs.

“We are aware that local leaders and fishermen have complained of illegal fishing nets, we will have a thorough crackdown which will include tackling cartels,” Cherutich said.

He said ‘amuok’ catches fish indiscriminately, and that is now threatening the existence of fish in Lake Victoria.

While speaking at the Former MP Owigo Olang’s burial, Migori governor Okoth Obado and Nyatike MP Tom Odege raised the concern.

“There is something called ‘amouk’ that is going to clear the fish in the lake. It is a system which clears the child of the fish, its mother, father, grandfather and grandmother,” said Odege.

According to Migori county BMU chairman Jeckonia Adhanja, it has become difficult to control the use of ‘amuok’ and other illegal fishing gears as fishermen sneak them deep into the lake.

We have tried controlling them and have nabbed some but there are those who are still using them secretly. They have become too much in the lake,” said Adhanja.