Fishers drilled in sustainable fishing

Pact Malawi has drilled fishers around Usisya and Thotho in Nkhata Bay in sustainable fishing.

In an interview, the organisation’s project officer Anthony Ghambi said they trained beach village committees and traditional leaders in eco-based fisheries management which, among others, involves the restoration of fisheries resources in the lake so that they are used sustainably.

“We have so far trained 11 beach village committees in eco-based fisheries management,” he said.

On his part, Senior Chief Mkumbira commended the project, saying it was high time his subjects realised that fisheries resources were invaluable.

He said: “In my days there were fish species such as Ntchira, Ningwe or Kadyakolo which were palatable.

“Sadly these species were depleted from the lake.”

In his remarks, Usisya Ward councillor Brown Chizeze said the project will help restore fish in the lake.

“It is sad that fishers use monofilament fishing nets which have led to overfishing,” he said.

Chizeze said he will engage fishers through beach village committees on the need to embrace eco-based fisheries management.