malvernmugadzikwa
Theseus Shambare
Zimbabwe will sign the SADC Charter establishing the Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC) on Thursday.
The signing of the charter marks a significant step towards regulating fishing activities on Lake Kariba, particularly the kapenta fishery.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department (FARD) director, Milton Makumbe said the excessive number of kapenta rigs operating on Lake Kariba has led to a decline in fish stocks.
The new charter will help to regulate fishing activities and ensure the sustainability of the fishery.
“An excess number of kapenta rigs which are operating on Lake Kariba have seen the gradual dwindling of kapenta fish down to 5 000 tonnes currently so obviously we will be able to regulate how kapenta operators will be harvesting from the lake,” Mr Makumbe said.
The charter, he said, will enable authorities to implement measures such as limiting the number of fishing rigs, designating specific fishing areas, and enforcing fishing bans during breeding seasons.
These measures will help to protect fish stocks and ensure the long-term sustainability of the fish industry.
“In this case, we are saying the Zimbabwean rigs stay on the Zimbabwean side and the same applies to those of Zambia despite that we all do agree that fish do not know the borders but that component will be regulated by ensuring that we maintain the number of rigs on the lake.”
The signing of the SADC Charter is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on the Lake Kariba fishery.
By ensuring the sustainability of the fishery, the charter will help to secure the future of this vital economic resource.
Online Reporter