A Kisumu MCA on Thursday opposed calls to ban the importation of Tilapia fish from China.
Chemelil ward representative Joseph Osano said the importation is as a result of fish shortage in Lake Victoria.
Mr Osano opposed a Motion that was tabled by nominated MCA Pamela Odhiambo that called for a total ban on the importation.
He said the only way out to stop the importation is to breed more fish to bridge the deficit.
“The importation of fish is as a result of bad fishing methods of our people and pollution of the lake. Before we call for stoppage of the importation, let our fishermen stop over fishing to allow fish to be in this lake,” he said during a debate on the Motion.
Osano said the Kenya and Chinese governments had signed an agreement that is hinged on the importation of the fish.
He said it is a tall order for the County Assembly to impose the ban and called for the enactment of policies to safe guard the lake from over-fishing and use of illegal fishing gears.
Odhiambo had argued that importation of fish to Kisumu will impact negatively on fish trade and will lead to unemployment among the fish traders.
“Mr Speaker, our men who are trading in fish are making losses since fish from China started finding its way here in Kisumu,” she said.