Fish industry under threat

LOW water levels in Lake Kariba and suspected overfishing are threatening the fishing industry, which employs thousands of people here.

As a result, fish stocks and catches have progressively declined over the years, resulting in job losses.

Lake Kariba is shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia, with both countries accused of allowing fishing rigs above sustainable levels.

Rig owners have seen a decline in their catch this year, with most of them fearing that the peak August to October period would not result in a change of fortune.

“This is traditionally our peak period where we expect to catch more fish and kapenta, but things have not been as in previous years,” said Kapenta Producers Association chairperson Mr Nesbert Mapfumo. “We have seen in recent years a decline.

“The situation is different from the 90s into the early 2000s. We know that August to October are traditionally our peak periods, but so far we have not been getting what we anticipated.”

Fishermen are now pinning their hopes on the month of October for an improvement.

Mr Mapfumo said rig owners anticipated an increase this year of their catch following improved water flows into the lake after the 2015 /16 season drought.

Zimbabwe has about 400 rigs in Lake Kariba, while Zambia has more.

Fishing is prohibited during the full moon to allow breeding.