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Salima fisheries office bemoans low staffing

Salima District Fisheries office has bemoaned shortage of staff which it says has negatively contributed to overfishing in Lake Malawi in the district.

Salima district forestry officer Chris Nyasa said this Wednesday in an interview on the prospects of the fishing sector in the district.

He said the office has an establishment of 12 staff members but there are five.

Fishers off to the lake in Salima

“The issue was raised at district council level and was presented to ministry headquarters. I am sure the authorities are aware of our situation,” said Nyasa.

He said that apart from low staff level, the office experiences mobility challenges as there is one motorbike for providing extension services.

Chief fisheries extension officer Alban Pulaizi admitted that the ministry is aware of the situation.

“Currently, over 50 officers are undergoing training at Mpwepwe Fisheries School in Mangochi. We are hoping that after the training, they will be deployed in some districts to beef up the staff levels,” he said. Mbenje Island in Salima is being used as a breeding area for fish and communities formulated by-laws on how to utilise their natural resource.

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