A KAPUTA resident in Northern Province has appealed to fishermen in the district to avoid the use of wrong fishing methods when conducting fishing activities on Lake Mweru Wantipa.
Conwell Chansa observes that the use of wrong fishing gears such as mosquito nets has a lasting negative impact on the lake.
Mr Chansa told ZANIS in Kaputa that there has been a serious disregard of the law governing the fishing by most fishermen in Kaputa.
He has since called on the fisheries department and the law enforcement agencies to increase patrols.
Mr Chansa said doing this will help protect the remaining fish stocks from the lake.
And Kaputa District Fisheries Officer, Gift Kangwa disclosed that the department apprehended 9 people for illegally conducting fishing during the fishing ban.
Mr Kangwa said the victims were taken to court and three people were convicted.
He stated that the department carried out various patrols on the lake and fishing camps to ensure that no illegal fishing was taking place.
He has also praised the fishing community in the district for working together with the department during the enforcement of the just ended fishing ban.
Meanwhile, Mr Kangwa has observed that the use of mosquito nets and other wrong fishing gear continues to be a challenge in Kaputa.
He said the use of wrong fishing gears has led to devastating effects on fish stocks on the lake.
“Fish can come back if we stop using these illegal fishing gear, we expect to see a big change in this regard,” said Kangwa.
He encouraged the fishers to consider venturing into fish farming and avoid the dependence on the lake.
He encouraged fishers to come forth and obtain fishing licenses in order for them to be allowed to operate on Lake Mweru Wantipa.
“From now on, working with the Department of Wildlife, no one will be given permission to fish in protected areas without a permit from the Fisheries Department.
Government lifted the annual fishing ban on 1st March, 2023. – ZANIS
