ZimParks pushed their temporary fishing depth reduction from 20 meters to 17 meters until May 31 since kapenta catches remain low. They first introduced this change last November through February because of El Nino drought effects on water levels. Director General Edison Gandiwa announced the extension, saying lake levels haven't improved enough for normal fishing conditions. The authority plans to monitor fish size quality during this extended period.
Fishers from the Mlibizi and Binga areas can fish in Sengwa waters until the end date, but Sengwa fishers can't go into those other areas. The Zimbabwe Kapenta Producers Association wants equal fishing access across all areas. Their vice chairman, Bernard Munsaka, complained that one-way access allows the crowding of deep spots. Kapenta catches have crashed from 30,000 tonnes during the 1990s to just 5,175 tonnes in 2023—an 83 percent decrease.
Recent reports show a steady decline over four years with annual drops. Association chairman Chatwell Tanga warned that 1,800 fishing rigs operate on the lake instead of the recommended 500 for both countries. According to agreements, Zimbabwe should control 55 percent of fishing operations, but Zambia currently dominates with 60 percent of fishing activity. Zimbabwe issued 539 licenses compared to Zambia's estimated 1,000 boats on the water.
Fishers from the Mlibizi and Binga areas can fish in Sengwa waters until the end date, but Sengwa fishers can't go into those other areas. The Zimbabwe Kapenta Producers Association wants equal fishing access across all areas. Their vice chairman, Bernard Munsaka, complained that one-way access allows the crowding of deep spots. Kapenta catches have crashed from 30,000 tonnes during the 1990s to just 5,175 tonnes in 2023—an 83 percent decrease.
Recent reports show a steady decline over four years with annual drops. Association chairman Chatwell Tanga warned that 1,800 fishing rigs operate on the lake instead of the recommended 500 for both countries. According to agreements, Zimbabwe should control 55 percent of fishing operations, but Zambia currently dominates with 60 percent of fishing activity. Zimbabwe issued 539 licenses compared to Zambia's estimated 1,000 boats on the water.
