From ALEX NJOVU in KitweOVER 1,000 fishermen in Nchelenge have defied government’s directive to vacate fish breeding areas on Lake Mweru.
The fishermen have set up permanent bases on fish breeding areas on the lake, the development which has negatively affected fish breeding.
Nchelenge district commissioner Joseph Chisakula is also concerned about the continued use of illegal fishing methods on Lake Mweru.
Mr Chisakula said in an interview from Nchelenge yesterday that the fishermen have defied government’s order to vacate the breeding areas.
“We are disappointed as government that over 1,000 fishermen have disobeyed our order to vacate the breeding areas on Lake Mweru. It is sad that they have decided to ignore our instructions, it is like they want a confrontation with government,” Mr Chisakula said.
He said government will soon use the police and other security officers to force the fishermen out of the breeding areas on the lake.
“We are just putting in place logistics needed for the operation, we need fuel and other things so that we can move in. We are likely to embark on the operation just after the independence celebrations,” Mr Chisakula said.
He said he is disappointed that the fishermen have refused to work with government in protecting fish species on Lake Mweru from extinction.
“We gave them a deadline of up to August 30, 2012 to move out from those areas because we want the breeding areas to remain permanently closed like they were in the federal government,” Mr Chisakula said.
He added: “People can fish in the main lake but not in breeding areas because they kill even the smallest fish and destroy the eggs using fish catching nets and even mosquito nets. This time around we will move them out by force.”
He said the continued use of illegal fishing methods is a source of concern.
Mr Chisakula said many people in the district depend on fishing and that it is important for them to come up with measures aimed at protecting fish from extinction.
He named some of the fish breeding areas as Mpotolo, Kashiru and Mifimbo.
“Those who are refusing to move away from the fish breeding areas will still be moved out. We want to ensure that the breeding areas remain closed. No one will be allowed to set up a camp in those areas, they will be restricted areas,” Mr Chisakula said.
He warned the fishermen against resisting vacating fish breeding areas because government will dispatch security officers to remove them by force.
He said the continued use of illegal fishing methods have depleted fish stocks on Lake Mweru.
Mr Chisakula said government appreciates the support it is receiving from traditional leaders in curbing illegal fishing methods.
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