Nkhata Bay district’s department of fisheries has expressed excitement over communities’ compliance with fishing regulations during the breeding season.
The department closed fishing activities on Lake Malawi and other water bodies in the district on November 1 to allow fish to breed. The closed period is expected to end on December 31.
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Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the district’s principal fisheries officer Dellings Kamenya said there was increased compliance from fishers on fishing regulations.
“Fishing activities declined significantly during the breeding season. Again, there has been little use of illegal fishing gear,” he said.
Kamenya, however, said the department will continue with law-enforcement operations along the lake.
On his part, Nkhata Bay Fishers Association general secretary Kida Mkandawire said it was pleasing to note that most fishers understand the importance of complying with regulations.
“We are now happy that most fishers are doing what is expected of them. They understand that they will catch more fish after the break,” he said.
Mkandawire said the association through village beach committees will continue conducting sensitisation meetings and patrols to ensure adherence to the fishing regulations.
Ripple Africa senior project officer Sam Manda said with the sensitisation meetings the organisation conducted with the Fisheries Department, he was impressed that communities would able to comply with fishing regulations.
