Zambia On Zambezi Complaints

REFERENCE is made to a letter that appeared in your newspaper of September 6 over concerns raised by UK tourists on the Zambezi.

Regarding the references in the letter that 90 per cent of the problems that led to the depletion of fish stocks were caused by Zambia, I want to assure the UK tourists that the Zambian Government is equally concerned over the depletion of stocks in the Zambezi. The Government acknowledges the fact that some fishermen on the Zambian side, as required by law, do not register with the Fisheries Department.In addition some of them use unorthodox methods of fishing – factors that contribute to the depletion of fish stocks.In order to address the problem, the Fisheries Department of Zambia in March 2004 introduced a co-management system in the fisheries sector.The system entails the participation of the local community i.e.chiefs, headmen etc, over the management and prudent use of the fish resource.It has been observed that it would be easy for them to monitor the activities of fishermen within their community, particularly over the use of unorthodox fishing methods.Consequently, in Sesheke which borders Katima, 10 of the envisaged 30 such management committees have so far been formed.Furthermore, the Fisheries Department was in constant contact with lodge owners in the area to solicit their views on fish conservation.The Fisheries Department in Sesheke, in the spirit of SADC co-operation, are in constant touch with their colleagues in Namibia and hopefully the situation will be redressed.I would be grateful if our response is published and passed on to the UK tourists.Our offices are open to receiving constructive criticisms and contributions that promote the effective management and conservation of our natural resources.G K Nyirongo Zambian High CommissionerThe Government acknowledges the fact that some fishermen on the Zambian side, as required by law, do not register with the Fisheries Department.In addition some of them use unorthodox methods of fishing – factors that contribute to the depletion of fish stocks.In order to address the problem, the Fisheries Department of Zambia in March 2004 introduced a co-management system in the fisheries sector.The system entails the participation of the local community i.e.chiefs, headmen etc, over the management and prudent use of the fish resource.It has been observed that it would be easy for them to monitor the activities of fishermen within their community, particularly over the use of unorthodox fishing methods.Consequently, in Sesheke which borders Katima, 10 of the envisaged 30 such management committees have so far been formed.Furthermore, the Fisheries Department was in constant contact with lodge owners in the area to solicit their views on fish conservation.The Fisheries Department in Sesheke, in the spirit of SADC co-operation, are in constant touch with their colleagues in Namibia and hopefully the situation will be redressed.I would be grateful if our response is published and passed on to the UK tourists.Our offices are open to receiving constructive criticisms and contributions that promote the effective management and conservation of our natural resources.G K Nyirongo Zambian High Commissioner