By George Mponda

Karonga, November 7, Mana: Mandala Beach Village Commitee (BVC) in Karonga, led by Group Village Head (GVH) Malema, has confiscated gear from fishermen who were catching fish without permits at Mandala Beach.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday, GVH Malema said the Department of Fisheries empowered chiefs to formulate and enforce by-laws which will help conserve fish through the BVCs.

"All fishrmen are supposed to pay K40,000 annually for a fishing permit but most do not. That is why we embarked on this operation to seize fishing gears from those who do not have permits.

"With the help of officials from the district’s fisheries department and police we managed to confiscate gear from seven fishermen which was taken to the fisheries office," he said.

GVH Malema was amused that most of the fishermen who had their gears confiscated for failing to pay K40,000 have already paid a fine of K140,000 to reclaim their fishing gear.

Assistant Fisheries Officer for Karonga District Council, Patrick Moyo, said BVCs are empowered to help conserve fish stocks on Lake Malawi.

"At the moment we are in the closed season which started from November 1 to December 31. This is the breeding time for many fish on Lake Malawi. During this period, some fishing gears and methods are prohibited for example beach seine nets which are mostly used by these illegal fishers," said Moyo.