Fisheries department confiscates illegal fishing nets in Nkhata Bay
The Department of Fisheries in Nkhata Bay says it will continue confiscating monofilament nets and taking legal action against those into the business following numerous calls for vendors to take the illegal fishing nets out of their stock.
The district’s fisheries enforcement officer Evance Mataka said this on Monday after confiscating about 200 illegal fishing nets at Tukombo, Kande and Chintheche trading centres and Nkhata Bay Boma Market on Thursday.
He said the move seeks to protect small fish from Lake Malawi.
“With knowledge that monofilaments are illegal, we consider vendors selling them committing a crime and legal action will be taken. We are geared to conduct the exercise every month to bring all culprits to book,” said Mataka.
Nkhata Bay district acting director of trade Thanila Gondwe said tough actions need to be implemented as the items are smuggled into the country and those selling them are involved into illegal business.
He said those found in possession of illegal fishing nets will be prosecuted.
“Regarding the importance of fish to people and how much fishing has contributed to the development of the district the council, we will leave no stone unturned in fighting against this malpractice,” said Gondwe.
According to the Fisheries Conservation Act of 1997 Section 3 (1)(b), government bans the use of monofilament nets in all water bodies for posing threats to aquatic life. For instance, the nets do not decompose; hence, keep on catching and killing fish and other aquatic species if disposed of in water.
