No resources to curb overfishing in Kavango

THE Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources officers in the Kavango are unable to curb the illegal overfishing allegedly being done by Angolans from Matondoti settlement across the Okavango river.

Conservationists who belong to a group called the Kavango Open Africa Route said there is inaction by the fisheries inspectors over the overfishing in Okavango River.

The group claimed that some Angolans are openly plundering the river using government-sponsored motor boats and nets.

Chief fisheries inspector Richard Upingasana indicated, in an email dated 9 October 2013, that the entire ministry was paralysed from taking action due to lack of resources.

The group has more than 45 members and works closely with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Directorate of Forestry and the Ministry of Fisheries to ensure that no irregularities and abuse of rivers take place.

Eyewitnesses say that overfishing along the river is worsened by lack of inter and intra-sectoral as well as inter-country cooperation and lack of resources is rendering Namibian Fisheries’ inspectors hopeless and demotivated.

One eyewitness said he counted more than 53 nets on a 30-km stretch of the river yet there was no single fisheries inspector on site.

“We are all at this stage extremely frustrated and concerned with the escalating illegal netting, particularly the commercial fishing operations, which are plundering this sensitive river,” Mark Paxton, the Kavango Open Africa Group chairman, wrote in an email addressed to fellow conservationists, which seems to sum up his frustration over the practice.

He said an illegal settlement called Matondoti on the Angolan bank near Shamvura Camp has become home to two motor boats that operate in broad daylight.

“Here they sell their illegally caught fish at Shinyungwe, Shamvura Korokoko and Livuyu villages. This illegal settlement is now also a recognised and well-used illegal crossing point and outlet for stolen goods,” said Paxton.

He also said illegal fishermen from Angola employ Namibians to illegally drag nets over huge areas of the river, sometimes with 100 metre nets tied together to clean out vast stretches of the river of all available fish.

Paxton stated that he is further frustrated with the fact that fisheries inspectors at Rundu don’t seem to be taking numerous reports lodged at their office seriously.

“Inspectors maintain that they are unable to follow up due to fuel shortages, broken vehicles, boats, insufficient staff and lack of other resources. They also maintain that their head office director of operations and other superiors are very much aware of their shortcomings, but refuse to help them to resolve the situation,” he said.

Upinganisa said they were grounded by their head office and that this was not only affecting the Okavango regional division but the whole ministry.

“Our boat is still in Windhoek for repairs at West Coast Marine. I, therefore, regret to inform you that the entire Ministry of Fisheries is grounded till further notice due to non-payment of fuel for our fleet to the supplier,” he said.

Upinganisa further said that although he was aware of the seriousness of the situation, it was beyond his power and that of other inspectors in the region to intervene.

In the same email, Upinganisa said Paxton can offer him and other inspectors transport to execute their duties.

“We are at your disposal any time, just come get us please, and we will act accordingly,” said Upinganisa.

Paxton said he met Angolan officials in August who said that, although they were eager and willing to cooperate with their counterparts in Namibia, they were waiting for them to take the initiative for joint patrols.

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