Zambia enforces annual fishing ban to protect aquatic resources

The Zambian government has with immediate effect imposed the annual fishing ban on major rivers, lakes and swamps across the country.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister, Peter Kapala, said the fishing ban came into effect on December 1, 2024 and would run up to February 28, 2025.

Speaking at the launch of the annual fishing ban in Lusaka on Sunday, Kapala stated that the decision was made to allow fish to breed and multiply during the prescribed fish breeding season.

He cited Zambezi, Kafue, Chambishi, Lunga and Luapula Rivers as some of the water resources whereall kinds of fishing activities were prohibited.

“Today is another important day in the fisheries calendar, a day when government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, proclaims and launches the annual fishing ban. The fishing ban is implemented to allow fish to breed and also allow for restocking and regeneration of the fish stock,” Kapala announced.

He said the launch of the annual fishing ban reaffirms government’s commitment to sustainable development, ensuring that the natural resources, particularly fisheries resources were conserved, protected and exploited sustainably.

The Minister stated that this was important as sustainably exploiting fisheries resources ensures that future generations benefit from them while at the same time continuing to be a source of nutrition, livelihoods and income for the people.

“Exploiting our fisheries resources entails striking a balance between the social needs of communities, the economic benefits from the resources and ensuring that the environment from which these resources are harvested, are well managed and protected,” Kapala said.

He noted that striking this balance was unfortunately not an easy undertaking given that different sections of society would have varied perceptions, hence respond differently to the resource management measure.

Kapala added that the establishment of fisheries management areas, recruitment of honorary fisheries officers and creation of fisheries reserves promotes a framework for the legal practitioners of the fishing communities and other stakeholders in the conservation and management of the fisheries resources.

“Communities are in this regard expected to participate in the enforcement of the annual fishing ban and guard against illegal fishing activities, he emphasized.

This year’s theme for the fishing ban is “Let the community act.”

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