Commercial fishers accused of illegal fishing
Some Beach Village Committees (BVCs) in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nankumba in Mangochi have decried the tendency of commercial fishers who encroach restricted fishing areas with illegal fishing gears (trawlers).
The committees raised the concern on Friday at Mwanyama in the district when Pact Malawi and Community Initiative for Self-Reliance (Ciser) organised a learning visit for fisheries officials from Salima, Dedza, Nkhotakota and Nkhata Bay districts.
In an interview, Mwanyama BVC chairperson Jacob Laja complained that the tendency will to the dwindling of fish population in the lake.
“Our lives are being threatened with the illicit behaviour because all our livelihoods depend on fish,” he said.
On his part, Ciser programmes manager Goodwell Thunga said some fishers are contravening the law to fulfill their desires at the expense of depleting biodiversity.
Mangochi district fisheries officer Neverson Msusa acknowledged the challenge, saying they are dealing with it.
He said the illicit activities have declined due to fines his office imposes on offenders and a good working relationship between small and commercial fishers.
