Authorities in Mpulungu have called for collective efforts in raising awareness on the importance of promoting sustainable fisheries management and highlighting the role of fisheries in providing food security.
District Commissioner Gehard Sikazwe says people need to realise the need to ensure that everyone is involved in the reduction of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing.
Mr Sikazwe notes that there is need for enhanced participation in fisheries management and increased fish production and aquaculture.
The media reports that speaking during the commemoration of the Northern Province World Fisheries Day, Mr Sikazwe revealed that illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing has negative effects on the country’s fisheries industry.
The District Commissioner observed that such vices not only deprive government economically but also leads to losses, diminished food security, environmental damage and social conflict.
Mr Sikazwe added that these practices also lead to overfishing, damage marine habitats and also deprive fishing communities of their livelihoods including the declining fish stocks leading to loss of jobs in the fishing industry.
“Government is aware of this fact and that is why it’s been working closely with traditional leaders, cooperating partners, Department of Fisheries and the fishing community by promoting a strengthened capture fishery, conservation and management such as formulation of village management committees among several other interventions,” he explained.
Mr Sikazwe explained that the fisheries sector supports a number of people through fishing, trading, processing, aquaculture, and related value chains as well as contributing significantly to the national food basket.
He said to ensure that the industry is protected, the Government will continue to support and also partner with other cooperating partners to ensure sustainable fisheries management and community participation.
“We want to ensure that we have ordered the fisheries that is needed for both present and future generations, and to achieve this we will continue to work with cooperating partners to protect the fisheries industry,” he said.
He said the government will continue supporting and strengthening law enforcement against destructive fishing methods, providing training and extension service to fish farmers and supporting women and youths in fisheries value chains.
Speaking at the same function, Provincial Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator Gethings Chisule disclosed that the fisheries industry is a backbone of the local economies and if sustainably managed, it can continue to support communities for generations to come.
Mr Chisule revealed that the fisheries industry has continued to face challenges such as overfishing and illegal fishing methods which threatens fish stocks, environmental degradation including pollution and climate change which all affects the breeding grounds.
“Limited compliance with fisheries regulations especially during the annual fish ban undermines sustainability, low adoption of aquaculture reduces our ability to supplement natural fisheries and post-harvest losses remain high due to poor handling, processing and limited access to markets,” Mr Chisule explained.
He has since called on community leaders to support conservation efforts and discourage illegal fishing practices saying the Ministry will continue to enforce the law.
Mr Chisule also called on women and youths to take advantage of opportunities in aquaculture and fish value addition.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Council Secretary Milton Sakala, Social Economic Planner James Chilufya said the commemoration of the World Fisheries Day is a reminder of the shared responsibility and a call for all to protect the fisheries industry.
Mr Sakala has observed that collective stewardship of the fisheries industry, innovative solutions are key to ensuring that the precious resource continues to nourish and support generations to come.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock yesterday joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Fisheries Day under the theme,” The Fisheries we want”.
