By Bisola Adeyemo
The chairman of Doho Beach Management, Kennedy Juma has urged fishermen in Kenya to be licensed and adhere to all marine precautions while fishing, to avert accidents.
Juma said this on Friday in Goma Bay County while addressing all the fishermen to register with relevant authorities and obtain the license to operate.
“Our management has put in place rules to ensure that every member adheres to the government regulations to avoid blame games,” said Juma.
Speaking on challenges most fishermen are facing, the Chairman said lack of jobs in other sectors had pushed thousands, especially the youths to venture into the lake resulting in overfishing.
“The number of young fishermen is now increasing in the lake due to unemployment, therefore, we are urging the government to create more jobs for youths to curb the situation,” said Juma.
One of the Doho Beach Management Unit members Elias Nyabera pleaded with fellow members to avoid drug abuse in order to prevent frequent accidents in the lake.
“I am calling upon my fellow fishermen who have been indulging in drug abuse which have led them to cause preventable accidents in the lake to avoid such activities,” said Nyabera.
He also pleaded with the government to increase patrol boats to swiftly assist them whenever accidents occur in the lake. Besides, they asked the government to provide them with standard life jackets.