Zim on lookout for Zambian fish poachers
ZIMBABWEAN
authorities have intensified patrols on Lake Kariba to repel illegal Zambian fishermen from straying into their territorial waters to fish.
Following the announced fishing ban in Zambia, Zimbabwean authorities anticipated an upswing of illegal fishing in its waters as Fishermen in Zambia were under pressure to satisfy the high demand for the commodity.
According to a Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife source that requested anonymity, Zambian fishermen had been warned to stay away from Zimbabwean territorial waters on the lake and that those who would be caught would not be spared.
''Our mandate is to ensure that the fish resources are protected from illegal gangs who sneak into our waters to steal and so following the banning of fishing activities by the Zambian authority in other parts of the country, we expect an upswing in the number of fish poachers in our territory hence, the decision to up our alertness," the source said.
The source warned Zimbabweans against aiding Zambians to fish from the country's waters saying culprits would face the full wrath of the law.
Three weeks ago, eight Zambians were arrested and jailed for 8 months by a Zimbabwean court for straying into that country’s waters on the lake, while another four were fined for similar offence.
Cases of Zambian fisher men being arrested and jailed by the Zimbabwean authorities are on the increase and has seen more than 50 Zambian fishermen serving various jail sentences for illegal fishing on the Zimbabwean side of the lake.