The row over illegal fishing at the Indian Ocean in Kipini, Tana River County deepened after an Italian investor denied that he does not follow laws while fishing. – By Ramadhan Kambi.
The Italian is the owner of a ship which was recently nabbed for allegedly doing illegal fishing in Kipini area of Tana River county.
Mr Basta Alessandro the owner of Itika limited whose ship MV Roberto was nabbed fishing in Kipini waters of the Indian Ocean said his trawler was doing fishing legally as per the license which was issued by the fisheries department.
His sentiments come a week after two dolphins and a turtle were found dead along the shores of the Indian Ocean in what is believed to be a result of trawlers fishing in the area.
Speaking to journalists in Malindi, Mr Sandro said he owns two ships that do trawling activities in the Indian ocean some licensed to do fishing from 3.2 miles. He said another company also has two ships which do fishing both in the shallow and deep sea.
“For more than ten years, I have been doing fishing in Kenya, closely working with the community and you can simple talk to the community to hear from them if I have engaged myself in any illegality,” he said.
“I do sell fish to the locals at a very cheap price which ranges from Sh130 per kg,” he added.
The businessman said there is no conflict with the fishermen and his catch comprise of small fish which are sold in Malindi and Mombasa at a very cheap price.
“My vessels are normally inspected and use the nets which are required by the fisheries regulations,” he said.
He added that last week, his ship was ambushed by a group of security personnel from KWS with guns. Other officials he said had no masks risking his crew members who have been on the ship for 30 days.
“There is more than to this and to me it looks like a plot to protest so as to get funding from organizations in America, Germany and other international donors. But the naked truth is that we are keen and committed to conserve and protect our marine ecosystem,” he said.
He said his captain was arrested and taken to the police station but revealed that there was no evidence to prove that he was doing illegal fishing.
“All evidence is fake my lawyer made sure they go to the relevant departments and everything was found to be alright,’’ he said.
He said each ship has 80 crew members adding that his work feeds over 3,000 families through the fish caught by the trawlers.
Since the incident happened, he said he no longer goes fishing in Kipini but as there are a lot of fish in Malindi fishing area.
However, he revealed that he has incurred losses amounting to over Sh40 million and vowed to take legal action against those who led to the arrest.
Some of the residents said the trawlers had no problem and help in supply of fish to local fishmongers at a very cheap price.
Mr Abdul Hamza one of the fish dealers in Malindi said the trawlers the ships fish from 3.2 miles that are recommended and do not have any negative impact.
He blamed Kipini residents for staying back and are not happy with the Italian who is busy doing fishing.
“I would urge the government to investigate this issue and find out the real problem instead of going for hearsay,” he added.
He said there are five ships among them four do fishing in shallow waters and the other one goes fishing in the deep sea.
Ali Hamza a resident of Malindi also said there was no problem with the trawlers because most of the fish are sold locally to fishmongers.
Kipini residents last week asked the government t0o ban trawlers as they were harmful to marine life such as sea turtles, dolphins, and other endangered species like the guitarfish.
