04 Oct 2018

Ngamiland councillors have rejected proposed commercial fishing bye laws. 

Besides minimal consultation, councillors said  they were also not happy with some of the clauses in the proposal. Therefore, they called for amendment of such clauses before the proposal could be  approved.

The civic leaders argued that consultation was not enough and called for further consultations, especially in areas such as Maun and Ditshiping where fishing activities were high.

According to a report presented to the council, consultation was done in Seronga, Shakawe, Gumare, Nokaneng, Shorobe and Makalamabedi.

The proposal came into place following environmental concerns caused by fishers at Lake Ngami and other fishing areas such as in Chanoga and Nxaraga. 

For the past three years, there had been an influx of people into the district due to booming commercial fishing prospects in the area. 

Indiscriminate waste disposal, squatters, poor sanitation, and criminal activities were reported to be rife at Lake Ngami.

A team chaired by the district commissioner was established and  it held kgotla meetings in order to compile a report from consultations and thereafter formulate bye laws for the preservation of fish in the district.

When presenting the proposal, bye-law enforcement superintendent, Mr Phemelo Matome, said the bye laws were meant to protect fish from depletion after experiencing an influx of fishers from all over Botswana and other countries.

He said they also realised that Batswana were reaped off by foreigners since they sold fish at lower prices.

“We believe these bye laws can promote fish conservation as they will encourage people to sell with permits,” he added.

Mr Matome said it had been reported that Ngamiland fish was the best  in Southern Africa and stated that it was important to establish a central market where fishers could sell their products.

He also explained that a research conducted by Okavango Research Institute revealed that there was plenty of fish at Lake Ngami.

When sharing comments from communities during consultation meetings, Mr Matome said they welcomed the proposal.

He said communities also noted that the bye laws would benefit them because foreigners were competing with them. 

The community, he said, also called for a fish market where people could buy at a better price.

They said dried fish was sold at a low price and thus resulted in the banning of dry fish export last year. ENDS