LACK OF JOINT EFFORTS BETWEEN DODOMA AND IRINGA IS WEAKENING SUSTAINABLE FISHING IN THE MTERA DAM

The Fisheries sector is among the important economic sub sectors of the economy in Tanzania. The sector provides substantial employment, income, livelihood, foreign earnings and revenue to the country.

On the other hand, the lack of cooperative efforts between the two regions of Dodoma and Iringa is one of the reasons for weakening sustainable fishing in the Mtera Dam, The Guardian can show.

It was discovered that illegal fishing at Mtera is here to stay unless the two parties will meet and address the matter, instead of pointing accusing finger on each other.

The Guardian found that the Iringa Region was pointing finger on Dodoma's side by not doing enough to control illegal fishing, since the other side of the pond continues to exploit illegally.

The two regions (Iringa and Dodoma) conducted a meeting of stakeholders held in the Iringa region on Thursday last week for the purpose of having a common understanding, chaired by Mufindi District Commissioner Jamhuri William on behalf of Iringa Regional commissioner Amina Masenza.

Mtera Dam is located in the District of Chamwino and Mpwapwa District in Dodoma and the Iringa District Council in Iringa.

For fishing community to have sustainable fishing on Mera Dam, illegal fishing in the district council of Chimwino and Mpwapwa in the Dodoma Region should be controlled, as its partner (Iringa District) is doing.

On the other hand, Peter Nyakigera a Senior Fisheries Officer of the Iringa Region said that most fishermen perform their activities in 16 formal fishing camps totaling 1,258 (fishermen) and 814 dugout canoes.

The main economic activity in the villages surrounding the Mtera Dam is Fishing, agriculture and livestock.

Nyakigera noted that the Iringa District Council faced a challenge to illegal fishing and to eliminate such practices has been patrolling and educating fishermen, fish traders and transporters.

Resources for Fisheries are the source of Government revenue. Example: During 2015/2016 Iringa District Council collected a total of Tsh.13,157,000.00 due to fishing licenses, fishing vessels, fish trading and fines due to various offenses.

He said in 2016/2017 total Tsh. Tshs. 45,090,000.00 have been collected between these Shs Shs. 24,230,000.00 is based on various offenses and Tsh. 20, 860,000.00 are based on fishing licenses, fishing vessels and fish transport,

According to the Act of 2003 and its 2009 regulations, it requires that every person undertake a fishing business with a fishing license thus avoiding three-inch fish consumption.

The Mtera Dam covers between 620 and 660 square kilometers and Chamwino and Mpwapwa district councils in the Dodoma Region and the Iringa District Council in Iringa Region.

Iringa District area is estimated to be 220 square kilometers and is surrounded by two wards, that is Migori (six villages) and Izazi (Two villages).

According to Rufiji Basin Water Office (RBWO) representative David Muginya, Mtera was built between 1975 and 1980 for the purpose of preserving and maintaining water for producing electricity at the small Dam of Kidatu. Kidatu Dam is a hydroelectric dam located in the Rufiji River Basin in Tanzania.

Mtera Dam is capable of saving 3600,000 cubic meters and generating electricity for 'MegaWatt' 80 and is able to store water for about 125 million cubic meters and able to produce 204 'megawatt', so Kidatu Dam strongly relies on the Mtera. '

The Mtera Dam has dropped to the bottom and even lower (less than 690.00 meters). This trend has occurred in 1991-1993, 2005/2006 and 2011 to 2015.

David Muginya said the river is now drying up completely for long periods – up to 6 months – in the dry seasons, causing among other things, water shortages for downstream villages, death of animals in the Ruaha National Park, increased conflict between different water users (crop farmers, pastoralists, fishing community), and water shortages at Mtera and Kidatu dams leading to serious national power cuts.

The way forward

1. There are must be participatory patrols for each of the three areas of Iringa, Chamwino and Mpwapwa for fishing control and fishing fisheries.

2. The Government through security agencies, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will assist in overseeing the production of fishing operations.

3. The Ruaha National Game Park in collaboration with the Local Districts to conduct animal education for fishing community to reduce or avoid mortality and property damage.

4. All district councils surrounding the dam to make efforts to facilitate the community of surrounding Mtera Dam with economic alternatives instead of relying on the Mtera Dam resources.

5. District Councils to utilizing and use of income from the Fishing Development Fund (FDF) in accordance with Article 141 (a) - (i) of the regulations for Fishing 2009 to develop the Fisheries sector. By Friday Simbaya, Iringa

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