The Lake Victoria Aquaculture Association (LVA) has formally requested a 30-day extension for public participation regarding the Fisheries Management and Development Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 29 of 2023).

In a public notice, stakeholders and the general public were invited to submit memoranda within a mere one-week period, a timeframe the LVA deems insufficient for meaningful engagement.

The LVA Association, which represents key stakeholders in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, emphasized the bill’s significant implications for the industry. Ochieng Mbeo, LVA board chair articulated the need for adequate time to facilitate comprehensive consultation among members and other relevant parties.

“Given the far-reaching implications of this legislation, we respectfully request an extension to allow for robust engagement,” he stated.

Founded in 2024, the LVA Association serves as a collaborative platform for public and private stakeholders in the Lake Region’s aquaculture sector.

The organisation recently gained prominence following a successful court petition challenging the Fisheries Management and Development (Aquaculture) Regulations, which were alleged to have been enacted without sufficient public consultation.

The court upheld the LVA’s claims, resulting in a suspension of the regulations on December 27, 2024. In response to the controversy, Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho established a task force to address the issues raised, which has since concluded its work.

With the global focus on the blue economy growing, the association believes it is imperative for the new bill to reflect the diverse interests of all stakeholders involved.