Increased Cost Of Fuel May Result In Heightened Fish Prices

By Clinton Ochieng,

Consuming fish especially from Lake Victoria may become more expensive due to the recent increase in fuel prices.

Fishermen in Homa Bay County, who account for a huge portion of fish sourced from Lake Victoria, complained that their businesses had felt the effect after fuel prices went up.

The fishermen’s boat engines use petrol. The fishermen also use petrol or kerosene to light their lamps in the lake at night which means that those who want to travel long distances to fish in the lake must invest more in fuel in order for them.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced new rates for buying petroleum products where a liter of super petrol, diesel, and kerosene was raised by 7.63shillings, 5.75shillings, and 5.41shillings respectively, for a month, effective March 15.

The Beach Management Unit chairman in charge of Suba Sub-county, William Onditi said the amount of money spent on fuel was not proportionate to the profit they got from the fish caught.

He went on to say the situation had been worsened by a shortage of fish that had forced them to travel long distances within the lake.

He said they were thinking of increasing fish prices, especially if the government fails to reduce fuel prices.