By Lyte Ali

Mangochi, November 14, Mana: Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Unit in the Department of Fisheries with support from Ripple Africa confiscated illegal fishing material from traders around some shops at Mangochi Boma and Makawa Trading Centre this week.

Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, Fisheries Inspector in Mangochi, Allan Katola said after noticing increased illegal fishing gears on Lake Malawi, the department planned to conduct a spot check operation in shops that trade fishing material. 

He said some of the fishing materials that were seized are monofilaments as well as gillnets, saying that most fishers buy them because they are cheap and that they kill more fish. 

“What we confiscated are illegal fishing gear and are banned by the laws of the country, as such, they are unauthorised. They help are responsible for depleting every aquatic life in the water bodies.

‘‘As such, we thought of starting to move in shops, targeting traders, and those found selling these materials will be prosecuted in court,” said Katola.

Commenting on the development, District Project Manager for Ripple Africa, Robert Manthonyera said Ripple Africa will continue supporting the Fisheries Department with resources through their Fishing Conservation Project as a way of protecting fish in the water bodies.

He added that the Fish Conservation Project also known as Fish for Tomorrow is aimed at reducing illegal fishing in Malawi as well as promoting fishing regulation.

“Ripple Africa will continue collaborating with the Department of Fisheries in confiscating illegal fishing material whether in shops or lakes in order to protect our lakes,” Manthonyera said.