02 Mar 2015

Fishing at Lake Ngami remains suspended until the challenges caused by fishermen at the lake are fully addressed.

Member of Parliament for Ngami constituency, Mr Thato Kwerepe confirmed in an interview that government took the decision after considering environmental issues raised by the communities.

The MP said issues of squatters, poor sanitation, untidy surroundings and criminal activities, including incidents of murder and drowning were rife. He said the decision was also meant to give the newly formed Lake Ngami Conservation Trust time to finalise all the logistics and ready itself to take control of the lake come 2016. 

The suspension comes just as the fishing season was to start beginning of next month, and the trust, which was supposed to oversee fishing in the lake was said to be not ready to operate in the coming fishing season. 

The MP revealed that complaints from his constituents indicated that the just ended fishing season was full of health threats, adding that the most affected areas were Bodibeng, Bothatogo and Legotlhwane.

However, the government’s move has not gone down well with local fishermen who argue that they were going to suffer economically, and that their efforts to secure lucrative fish markets in Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo would be futile.

They appreciated the challenges at the lake, but pointed out that after several meetings with government officials, they made efforts to keep the area clean and attractive.

The chairperson of Lake Ngami fishing cluster, Mr Bareetsi Bogaisang said if it was true that fishing had been suspended, it meant the future of the fishing industry was bleak.

“We have applied for loans to buy quality equipment with a view to taking the industry to a higher level,” he added.

He expressed disappointment that the decision would result in loss of a source of income for those involved in the lucrative fishing business. 

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the fishing issue reached the respected corridors of the local council in Maun, where legislators largely supported the move to suspend fishing activities at Lake Ngami.

Commenting on a presentation by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Mr Mpho Setlhogile at the Maun Administrative Authority (MAA) sub-council meeting on Tuesday, the local lawmakers said the decision was appropriate in view of the environmental damage caused.

Councillor for Shorobe-Matsaudi Mr Oabile Chombo said the decision was a welcome development since the situation was an eye sore, while Thito ward councillor Mr Mmuedi Modiegi said poor sanitation at the lake also affected livestock such as cattle and small stock.

However, Councillor for Mababe-Khwai Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotho said although he agreed with the decision to suspend fishing at Lake Ngami, suspending the issuance of fishing licenses in the whole of Ngamiland would affect local communities because fishing was a source of livelihood for many people in the region.

The wildlife official had told the councilors that the issuance of fishing licenses would also be suspended in the whole of Ngamiland this year as part of a holistic approach towards curbing the prevailing problem.

Mr Setlhogile said the said lucrative market for fish at countries like Zambia was not envisaged because government did not generally benefit as there was no tax from the sale of fish; however, he said the issue would also be looked into.

He said some of the fishermen issued with licenses for Lake Ngami had valid licenses for three years, noting that they were in consultations to see how to handle such traders.

The wildlife official said suggestions to relocate the affected fishermen to other fishing areas were countered by fears of a similar influx at the new places like it was at Lake Ngami. ENDS