16 Oct 2016

In order to promote fairness and transparency, Ngami Fishers Association has agreed to use a “Yes/No” system to acquire a fishing license for Lake Ngami.
This was announced by the association chairperson, Mr Loago Mokunki when responding to comments from fishermen who wanted to know the criteria that would be used to issue licenses.
He said the system was fair and would avoid corrupt practices as people would be the one trying their luck. He also pointed out that although the licenses would be limited, those who would not get them could benefit indirectly as they could hire their equipment while some could partner with those who would be lucky to have licenses.
Regarding the market, Mr Mokunki explained that arrangements had been made to have sub committees in all the camps where the clients or trucks would buy directly from them.
He said they had realised that the locals had been running business at loss as they enriched the foreigners at their expense.
Earlier on, the Lake Ngami Conservation Trust chairman, Mr Frisco Gabokakangwe revealed that they had proposed for 400 licenses and still waiting for a response.
He said initially their management plan stated that only 100 licenses would be issued but they realised that they were not enough considering that a certain percentage would be reserved for the six villages that have been designated as member communities in the trust.
These villages are Toteng, Legotlhwana, Bothatogo, Sehithwa, Bodibeng, and Kareng.
Mr Gabokakangwe explained that the remaining percentage would be given to the association to issue. He also explained that they had realised that many fishermen who benefited from the lake were not from the six villages and this time they want the communities to make ends meet and improve their living standards.
He said it was worrisome as tonnes of fish worth millions were being exported and yet the locals were not benefiting as they sell fish at cheap prices.
Commenting on the issue of pricing, he said an agreement had been reached to set a standard price and to relocate the market from Ema Re Je complex in Maun to Sehithwa where the lucrative business was.
However, some local fishermen who have been practicing illegal fishing at the lake confessed that they had been running business at a loss as their product was bought at low prices. They said fish was sold at P1.50, while their clients enjoyed a lucrative market in their countries at their expenses.
They welcomed the decision to come up with a standard price.
“The current situation was a pity as we steal fish from the lake and yet we could not make ends meet. We are tired of running business at a loss as at time tonnes of our fish is possessed and burnt by the law enforcement,” said one of the fishermen.
Another fisherman from Okavango district, Mr Tshenolo Kairakuhikiro said they relocated to the lake because of the lucrative business, noting that fishermen in their area were disadvantaged by the market.