By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, March 22, Mana: District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa has advised traditional leaders in Nkhata Bay to be in the forefront protecting fish in Lake Malawi to control depletion of valued species.

Newa said this Thursday, during stakeholder’s engagement meeting in the district aimed at equipping chiefs with rightful information about fishing and how they can deliver the same to the masses.

Newa said chiefs have a critical role to play in educating the masses in their communities on the need of preserving fish in the lake for the good of upcoming generation because they are the custodians of culture.

“I am happy to see that almost each and every Traditional Authority (TA) that has bordered with the lake is present here. This entails the trust that we have in you. There is an outcry that valuable species of fish like chambo are declining in the lake.

“Through this meeting, we need to critically find solutions together and then you should pass on the message to your communities because we know you have the capacity and people have trust in what you tell them unlike any other person,” Newa said

District Fisheries officer for Nkhata Bay, Delings Kamenya said the meeting was organized as one way of encouraging participatory fishing management.

“In participatory management, we share responsibilities in terms of management of aquatic resources. We realize the role that traditional leaders play to conserve the fish resources.

They have authority over people and we know that people out there know what is legal and illegal in as far as fishing is concerned and there is need for collective efforts to jealously guard the lake because people will not stop depending in fishing for survival,” Kamenya said.

In his remarks, Senior chief Mkumbira said the meeting was an eye opener on their roles, as chiefs, in conserving fish and provided a platform for the chiefs to network, share experiences and skills.

The meeting was organized by Nkhata Bay district council with support from USAID funded Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Livelihoods in Lake Malawi (REFLESH) Project.