By VIOLET MENGO
11/06/2011
MPIKA District Commissioner Malama Sokoni has bemoaned the use of illegal fishing methods in the district. Mr Sokoni said many people use mosquito nets for fishing leading to the depletion of fish in most rivers and lakes.
He charged that some residents use mosquito nets for fishing while other use them as wedding dresses. "The district received a total of 65,000 mosquito nets from the Ministry of Health (MoH), these are not being used to sleep under, but fishing and depleting the small fish that is growing, "the DC said.
He said illegal fishing is a concern to the district which has embarked on an education campaign to address the problem though the exercise has not yielded any positive results
Mr Sokoni said it is naturally difficult to get people change their mindset if an activity like fishing is their only source of income and livelihood. "We are also looking at alternative means to income generation like agriculture so that these people whenever there is a fish ban can have alternative means of survival," he said.
The people of Mpika mostly depend on fish and hunting and this makes any exercise meant to improve the management of fish and game hard. Mr Sokoni said ZAMBEEF has also come on board to train communities on the best fishing methods in selected areas of the district. A total of 60 community members in Kopa village are undergoing training in fish management.
He said community members will be trained in the management and sustainable use of fish. Mr Mulenga said ZAMBEEF also provided an ambulance to the Kopa health Centre which is also being managed well.
"About 60 community members will be trained and the exercise is meant to improve the daily lives of the people through improved nutrition and food security.
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