Likoma chiefs decry exotic fishing technology
Chiefs in Likoma District have expressed fear over the new fishing technology that uses a boat with 10 electric bulbs, saying it will trigger the extinction of small fish in Lake Malawi.
Speaking during a meeting held on the island recently, chiefs said it has been observed that the new method for catching fish encourages overfishing.
“We don’t have agricultural land or mines on the island. Our only mine is the lake. What will happen when we let this technology overtake us?” wondered GVH Mnkhwemba, a fisherman himself.
District director of planning and development Ted Gondwe said general extinction of fish species due to overfishing is cause for worry not only to inhabitants of the district.
“Just two years ago, one would buy three chambo fish at the price of K500 or even less. Now the same three chambo fish are sold at K1 000 which is a clear indication that our fish is going into extinction,” said Gondwe.
On his part, district fisheries officer Richard Banda expressed challenges that his office faces in patrolling fishing areas, citing under-staffing as one of them.
The meeting, attended by chiefs, village development committees and beach village committees, unanimously agreed on a K600 000-fine for any one found using electric bulbs on the lake.
