Chief urges fishers to follow regulations

Traditional Authority Maganga of Salima has urged communities in the district not to engage in fishing activities following the closure of the fishing season in Lake Malawi.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, she said it is important for fishers to follow the government’s order to allow fish to breed.

Maganga also reminded fishers to follow proper fishing techniques and use legal fishing equipment.

She said: “We need to protect fish resources in Lake Malawi. This is the only resource we have. Many people earn their livelihoods from the lake.

“We will, therefore, formulate by-laws to protect fish in the lake.”

Maganga also thanked the African Development Bank (AfDB) for donating two speed boats to Salima Fisheries Department to monitor fisheries resources in the lake and help fishers receive accurate information on weather forecast.

Speaking on Thursday at Senga Bay in the district after AfDB donated the boats, Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Eisenhower Mkaka called for more investments in the fisheries sector.

He said the country can fully benefit from the fisheries sector by investing in machinery that can add value to the sector.

“We need to invest heavily in researching, equipment, purchasing boats, off-shore fishing cold storages and having more partners to help develop the sector,” said Mkaka.

He also condemned the use of illegal fishing nets and fishing during closed season.

Mkaka commended the support from the AfDB-funded project called Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture Development and Watershed Management for donating the two boats.

AfDB representative Doreen Kumwenda said the two boats will improve fisheries activities.

“The Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture Development and Watershed Management will create employment opportunities, increase fish production to meet food and nutritional security and scale up export of commercial fish species,” she said.