13 Apr 2016

The Maun Administration Authority (MAA) has served some fish traders with warning letters.

In an interview recently, MAA senior assistant council secretary (SACS), Mr Motshwariemang Matseka, said such fish traders did not comply with regulations because they packaged the fish under conditions inappropriate for large scale retailing.

Mr Matseka said large scale retailing did not allow the fish traders to package their produce in residential places, but at an industrial place.

He said traders had been issued with notices from the Department of Environment Health that prompted the traders to comply with the regulations or action would be taken against them if they fail to comply.

Mr Matseka said MAA had decided to initially warn the perpetrators through notices before action could be taken against them.

The packaging and sale of fish at residential places also led to complaints from members of nearby communities.

The wildlife north west coordinator, Mr Timothy Blackbeard, said his office had received numerous calls from members of the community on a weekly basis who were concerned about the bad smell emanating from fish trading in Boseja.

One fish business operator, Ms Prinkie Folae confirmed in an interview that the council authority had issued them with notices.

Ms Folae said fishermen were aware that the fish smell might affect some neighbours therefore they were willing to comply and operate at a fish depot.

She said they secured a fish depot at Matshwane industrial sometimes last week. However, she said there was delay due to logistics necessary and licensing of the place.

Ms Folae noted that the fishing depot would be beneficial to them as fishermen since it would help regulate their fish market price.

She said they sold the fish at P3 to the Zambians while the fish would cost P4 at the fish depot, as well as that the buyers would register at a cost of P50, a vehicle entrance fee at P50 and packaging price at P200 among others would be in place at the depot.

Ms Folae said the fishermen have decided to sell to the Zambians in small numbers from their homes in the meantime prior to the finalization of the licensing of the depot, she said the Zambians have come in large numbers therefore that would affect their businesses badly if they did not buy. ENDS