29 Jan 2015

Sehithwa police are concerned about people who are involved in fishing during the cessation period at Lake Ngami.

Speaking in an interview recently, Assistant Superintendent Moutlwatsi Ikobeng said illegal fishing was rife at the lake. Assistant Superintendant Ikobeng said those who were caught were charged between P200 and P500, which he said was affordable to the culprits.

The Fish Protection Regulations of 2008 stated that first time illegal fishers attracted less than P200 fine or prison sentence not exceeding three months while second time offenders got a fine not exceeding P500 and a prison sentence not more than 12 months.

Assistant Superintendent Ikobeng said illegal fishing was unfavourable to the fish species since they were disturbed during their breeding time, which would have a negative impact on the economy of the country as fishing was an integral part of tourism. 

He therefore appealed to people to desist from such acts. In an interview, the Lake Ngami Multi-purpose Fishing Cooperative Society chairperson, Mr Bareetsi Bogaisang said it was disheartening that some people defied the law and carried on with illegal fishing.

Mr Bogaisang said the law should be stringent and should have a part that allowed for illegal fishers’ licenses to be retained for some time to alleviate the situation.

For his part, the principal wildlife officer in Maun, Mr Amos Ramokate said it was unfortunate that people continued to be involved in illegal fishing while the department of wildlife and national parks held educational campaigns in Sehithwa last year.

Mr Ramokate said the fishing lapse season was meant to allow wildlife habitat a rest including fish species therefore failure to comply affected the breeding cycle and disturbed the ecosystem.

He said illegal fishing was the same as stealing public revenue, he said the police had so far retrieved about a tonne of fish which was used as exhibits at Sehithwa police station and would be disposed of accordingly as were perishable.

Mr Ramokate said the wildlife office in collaboration with the police would continue with patrols and public sensitisation to curb the situation. BOKHUTLO