Chengetai Murimwa
Kapenta fish stocks in Lake Kariba are depleting at unprecedented volumes amid revelations of overfishing.
Business Times can report that many fishing fleets are now reporting lower and lower yields due to decline in the kapenta population.
The decline in catches has prompted the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management (Zimparks) to stop issuing licences for kapenta fishing in a move to curb the problem of overfishing which is believed to be taking place in the dam. In addition the move will ensure more sustainable fishery.
ZimParks’ spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo, confirmed the development saying issuance of more permits would spell disaster as it risks over fishing in the Kariba Dam, which once provided lucrative fish booms.
“Registration of new rigs will no longer be approved. The rigs operating in Lake Kariba have reached the maximum required number,” Farawo told Business Times.
The situation has been exacerbated by climate change and low water in the Kariba Dam.
The maximum fishing rigs allowed in Lake Kariba should be 500. Out of this, 275 should operate on the Zimbabwe side while 225 should operate on the Zambian side, according to Farawo.
