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Paul Pindani in KARIBA
CLIMATE Change, which is leaving a trail of destruction around the world, has not spared Zimbabwe, especially its fishing industry, which is feeling the heat.
Fishing operators used to catch about 30 000 metric tons of kapenta per year during the ‘90s.
Now, the number has decreased to 6000 metric tons per annum.
Another factor is the increase in the number of fishing rigs operating in the man-made lake.
In the ‘90s there were about 275 fishing rigs operating on the Zimbabwean side and 225 on the Zambian side.
However, Zimbabwe now has 471 fishing rigs while the Zambians have over 1000 fishing rigs.
One of those involved in the industry, Nesbert Mapfumo, said they have been affected severely by climatic change.
“Our commercial operations have been on the low side compared to the early ‘90s.
“There are regulations which we are supposed to follow in as far as the fishing industry is concerned.
“One of those is we are not supposed to fish in an area three kilometres from the river mouth and two kilometres from the shoreline and in any area which is 20 metres in depth.
“So, with these water levels, our fishing ground is dwindling because, before the 90 metre mark, which is between the shoreline and the lake, it has now increased because the water is receding so fast.”
Mapfumo said if a boat violates any of these regulations, it attracts a fine of US$2400.
“With this drought, people don’t have money.”
Another operator, Lameck Bunya, said his profit margins have been eroded.
“We used to make profits and enjoy a high standard of living due to fishing but climate change has negatively impacted us.
“The persistent drought, due to climatic change, has played a crucial role in the depletion of our catches.”
Natalie Gwatirisa, the Climate Advocate Team Leader at All For Climate Action (AFCA), said:
“All these resources that we have, we have the aqua life, water itself. These are natural resources that need to be governed and we can’t govern it without even mentioning the issues to do with climate change.
“And already we are feeling the impact.
“We are talking of the low levels and low numbers of the kapenta in Lake Kariba, which is something that is concerning.
“It’s very concerning just looking at how many families survive through fishery.”
Online Reporter