RUMONGE April 19th (ABP) – The consequences of the rising water of Lake Tanganyika are still visible on the fishing beach of Rumonge. An alley descending on the edges of the lake which was visible 3 years ago, is under water, for about 40 meters. Constructions that were on the edge of the lake are no longer visible, others are still visible only through their debris.
Makeshift rest shelters for fishermen were swept away by the water. Fisherman Osias Bimenyimana met on the Rumonge fishing beach said that many boats that could no longer have suitable places to dock were destroyed following the rising water of Lake Tanganyika.
The one in charge of that fishing beach, Mr. Juvénal Nsabimana, notes that currently, the level of Lake Tanganyika has slightly decreased. Despite this, he remains pessimistic, believing that the waters of Lake Tanganyika may once again rise during the very rainy period of April. During the period when the rising waters reached their peak, Mr. Nsabimana noted that the quantity of fish fell sharply, causing the price of fishing products to rise.
Mr. Nsabimana explains that following the rising water of Lake Tanganyika, the surface of the water is cold while the fish evolve in the fresh water which is at depth. The fish then sinks lower which does not allow the fisherman to catch it. In addition, the multiplication of fish is threatened by the rising water which destroys the spawning beds. Although the level of Lake Tanganyika has dropped a little, fishermen point out that production is still low compared to the period before the rise in water levels.
With the destruction of the fishermen’s makeshift rest shelters on Lake Tanganyika, the latter have incurred unforeseen expenses to rent houses in the surrounding neighborhoods, Mr. Nsabimana noted. From then on, they are in conflict with the local people who accuse them of having occupied their properties. He asks the administrative officials of Rumonge to find them shelters near the lake.
The rising waters have also had an impact on small businesses serving fishermen. Thus, the small restaurants that supplied the fishermen have closed. An orphan, mechanic and repairer of fishing boats, Désiré Ndabarimiye, said that before the water of the lake rose, he could easily support his family, brothers and sisters. Now I can’t do it anymore, he said.
Rumonge province governor Consolateur Nitunga recognizes that this rise in the water of the lake has destroyed an important material of the fishermen, thus causing the decrease in the quantities of the fishing products. He called on all fishermen, administrative officials and all other stakeholders to say no to the destruction of that lake. He also called for respect for the no man’s land.