17 Nov 2016

Future of over 2 000 fishermen is in limbo after failing to acquire fishing licenses for Lake Ngami, despite efforts to secure the lucrative market at the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This surfaced following a raffle at the Lake Ngami Conversation Trust office on Monday, where fishermen tried their luck to acquire licenses through yes/no voting system.

Although fishing had not yet opened, the trust was optimistic that it would be opened before end of the year.

In an interview, Lake Ngami Conversation Trust chairperson, Mr Frisco Gabokakangwe said 2 455 fishermen registered to try their luck, noting that the ministry had approved 200 licenses, 150  having been reserved for the six villages that designated as member communities in the trust.

He said the ‘outsiders’ had to battle for the remaining 50 licenses using a yes/no system, which was agreed upon by the Ngami Fishers Association as they believed that the system would  promote fairness and transparency.

It was reported that about 87 existing licenses were still valid until end of 2017, but the chairperson advised the licenses holders to visit the trust office to get first hand information on how they would be assisted.

Mr Gabokakangwe explained that they would write to the relevant minister to request for more licenses to be issued basing on the registered number.

“The number was amazing and it really shows that the communities are living in hunger and willing to make ends meet through fishing,” he added. He explained that the trust is eager to drive its mandate of community development and improving livelihoods.

He stated that even if the fishing season is left with a month at most to close, all they want is to open because the lake is a source of income for the locals as many earn a living out of fishing.

The chairperson advised those who were successful during the raffle to pay P1 000, get a fishing permission before they could be issued with licenses.

He urged them not to rush to the lake before the official opening.

He said the trust was waiting for the statutory instrument that lifts the fishing ban and “once the minister signs the instrument things will go back to normal and we will closely monitor environmental compliance at the lake”.

Regarding illegal fishing, Mr Gabokakangwe said they would ensure a joint patrol with fishermen and law enforcement agencies to curb the vice. BOPA