National fish production could double following the introduction of sardine fish species known as Isambaza into two twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo in Northern Province.
Now, after trials the fish species will, for the first time, be harvested for the other two northern lakes beginning June this year, according to Solange Uwituze, the Deputy Director General of Animal Research and Technology Transfer at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board.
She explained the current production of sardine from Lake Kivu varies between 300 tonnes to 500 tonnes per week and the Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo could also provide 500 tonnes per week if the species adapt well.
"To sustain the sardine production in the twin lakes, only selective fishing nets will be authorised and depending on the level of adaptation the restocking will be repeated every year," Uwituze explained.
The demand will be met by boosting fish production with introducing sardine in other lakes, investing in cage fish farming and revamping fish ponds.
