Gang defies Lake Kariba fish ban

Illegal Fishing gangs commonly known as ‘PILIBUKA” that operate on lake Kariba in Siavonga district have defied the 60 days fishing ban imposed by Government aimed at stopping the spread of cholera.

The country has been battling cholera which has claimed over 80 lives since the outbreak in October last year.

An investigation carried out by the Daily Nation in Siavonga has revealed that despite the Ministry of Fisheries and livestock having intensified patrols on the vast man-made lake, the illegal fishermen have continued doing their business as the local fisheries department has no equipment and resources to enforce the ban in the night.

The notorious fishermen are reported to be sneaking in the dead of the night to carry out the illegal fishing activities rendering the ban unattainable.

Although both Kapenta and bream fish have disappeared from the local Tambalale market in the central business area of Siavonga, fish traders in fishing camps and Kanyelele compound have continued secretly selling the fish to locals and people who come to attend workshops in lodges and hotels.

Last week a combined team of officers from the fisheries department and other law enforcement agencies in the area intercepted and arrested seven fish traders who were found transporting several kilogrammes of fish to Lusaka’s Soweto market. The arrested traders are currently detained at Siavonga police station awaiting court appearance.

Meanwhile, an illegal fisherman spoken to by the Daily Nation in Siavonga but requested anonymity disclosed that he and his colleagues are now making more money than before the ban came into force on march 1. He attributed the increase in profit to the high demand of fish as a result of short supply due the ban.

He said currently fishermen operating on Lake Kariba were selling a kilogramme of bream fish to traders at between K19 and K22 compared to K13 before the ban. The fisherman said the ban has only affected those doing the fishing legally.