A CRACKDOWN on illegal fishing on the Ugandan side of Lakes Victoria and Albert will help boost exports and sustain the fishing industry, the minister for agriculture and fisheries said. Kisamba Mugerwa said up to 50 000 tons of fish were lost each year in illegal fishing, but that a crackdown by an anti-smuggling force of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) would reverse the trend. The new measures, which are already in place, outlaw neighbouring countries from fishing in Ugandan waters of the lakes. Squabbles erupted between Uganda and Kenya two months ago over the problem. The ministry’s junior minister, Fabius Byaruhanga, told journalists that the restrictions will allow the country to double its fish exports, which currently stand at 240 000 tons. Uganda’s total fish production stands at 640 000 tons and earns some $33-million in exports. Export earnings are expected to rise to $79,5-million by the end of the year. – AFP