On 14th October 2020, LEAF II project was privileged to host the Minister Responsible for Fisheries Affairs of the D.R Congo, Hon. Jonathan Byalosuka Wata, at the project offices in Bunia. During the visit, the Hon. Minister officially unveiled the Mobile Water Quality Laboratory from the LEAF II project to D.R Congo and gave an address to staff. At the side-lines of this event the Hon. Minister granted LEAF II an in-depth interview. Below are excerpts from the Q and A with the NELSAP Communication Specialist.
D.R Congo and Uganda have jointly participated in implementing LEAF II. Whatparticipated in implementing LEAF II. What are some of the benefits that your country has seen through this trans boundary collaboration?Hon. Byalosuka Wata: The provision of working tools by the LEAF II project to DRC and Uganda was a major asset. The two countries share Lakes Albert and Edward, but have always had a few conflict related issues. However through the LEAF II project, we were able to harmonize many things. We have a framework for dealing with the challenge of water delimitation, dealing with pollution of fishery resources, moreover we are in a process of formalizing an agreement to have a structure like ALT (a commission of Lake Tanganyika) and this will allow us to resolve many conflicts related to water management.
Question 2: D.R Congo and Uganda have been discussing third phase of LEAF project. Based on experience from LEAF II, what do you think should be taken into consideration when you will be implementing LEAF III?
Hon. Byalosuka Wata: Thank you for this very important question. LEAF II has been under implementation for several years now. D.R Congo wants and is prepared to start LEAF III. My presence here in Bunia, allowed me to see what was missing in LEAF II and what can be covered in LEAF III. In particular, a research vessel, which was planned but was not realized due to financial constraints. Secondly there is the delimitation of breeding/spawning areas for which we need support from this project, in order to protect those areas and allow fish to reproduce. We would like LEAF III to enhance aquaculture and fish farming. This is important because even as we put fishing regulations into place, we do not want our fishermen to go into temporary unemployment, and our fish supply to the population to reduce and alternative solutions like aquaculture and fish farming will help. We are going to ask that in LEAF III, we integrate stores to supply correct fishing gears because, use of prohibited nets is largely due to lack of stores to supply appropriate gears and other fishing inputs.
Question 3: D.R Congo and Uganda both received patrol boats and mobile water quality monitoring laboratories, how do you think these are going to impact your country?
Hon. Byalosuka Wata: The patrol boats are being used to eradicate insecurity and illegal fishing on the two lakes while the mobile research laboratory when fully equipped and operational, will help us study the quality of the water that we need for the reproduction of fish. These tools provided by LEAF II are the most important for success of our fishery and the protection of D.R Congo fishery resources.