Fishing ban on Zambezi lifted

THE Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has given the green light for fishing on the Zambezi River after a two-month ban was imposed in December because of bacterial contamination in the river’s polluted water.

“The ban is lifted with immediate effect, which will be a relief for those communities who depend on fish for their staple food along the Zambezi and all its tributaries,” Minister Abraham Iyambo said at a media conference yesterday. “However, water used for drinking purposes should still be boiled for at least 15 minutes.”At the end of last year, deformed and worm-infested fish with open sores were caught in the river.Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Escherichia coli (E coli), salmonella and clostridium perfringens in the water and in the fish.These bacteria are usually spread by human faeces.”The possibility is not ruled out that migratory birds and poultry caused the presence of salmonella,” Minister Abraham outlined.The E coli contamination could also have been caused by the dumping of sewage in the river, or sewage washed into the Zambezi by rising water levels.”Fish should not be eaten raw, but only after cooked well.Any fish caught with wounds or deformities should not be eaten at all,” the Minister advised.”The latest laboratory tests we received after water and fish samples were sent to South Africa indicate that clostridium was not found anymore in the muscle of fish, where it produces potent toxins, which is good news.E coli is still detected but the results for salmonella are to be reconfirmed,” Dr Iyambo added.Fish caught for testing now appear quite normal and in good condition, he said.A limited number of fish still have sores, but they are smaller and healing fast.The rising flood level of the Zambezi is also helping to reduce the contamination in the river, he said.The Minister noted further that it was high time Namibia had its own laboratory for scientific analysis.”The samples still have to be sent to South Africa, which causes expenses and often delays,” he told The Namibian afterwards.He also would like to see a regional set of standards in place for the handling of sewage at settlements and tourist lodges.”These standards should be drawn up and applicable to all countries sharing the Zambezi.””However, water used for drinking purposes should still be boiled for at least 15 minutes.”At the end of last year, deformed and worm-infested fish with open sores were caught in the river.Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Escherichia coli (E coli), salmonella and clostridium perfringens in the water and in the fish.These bacteria are usually spread by human faeces.”The possibility is not ruled out that migratory birds and poultry caused the presence of salmonella,” Minister Abraham outlined.The E coli contamination could also have been caused by the dumping of sewage in the river, or sewage washed into the Zambezi by rising water levels.”Fish should not be eaten raw, but only after cooked well.Any fish caught with wounds or deformities should not be eaten at all,” the Minister advised.”The latest laboratory tests we received after water and fish samples were sent to South Africa indicate that clostridium was not found anymore in the muscle of fish, where it produces potent toxins, which is good news.E coli is still detected but the results for salmonella are to be reconfirmed,” Dr Iyambo added.Fish caught for testing now appear quite normal and in good condition, he said.A limited number of fish still have sores, but they are smaller and healing fast.The rising flood level of the Zambezi is also helping to reduce the contamination in the river, he said.The Minister noted further that it was high time Namibia had its own laboratory for scientific analysis.”The samples still have to be sent to South Africa, which causes expenses and often delays,” he told The Namibian afterwards.He also would like to see a regional set of standards in place for the handling of sewage at settlements and tourist lodges.”These standards should be drawn up and applicable to all countries sharing the Zambezi.”