Shibuyunji traders defy fish ban

The Department of Fisheries in Shibuyunji has confiscated over 900 kilograms of fish from traders from the time the fish ban was effected in December last year.

Shibuyunji District Fisheries Officer, Steven Nyirongo Mr Nyirongo said the fish was confiscated during an operation carried by the department in conjunction with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Zambia Police Service.

“From December 1, 2020 to date the department has confiscated 656kgs of fresh fish, 283kg kilograms of dry fish , four vikukula and 28 mosquito enets,” Mr Nyirongo said.

Mr Nyirongo said it is sad that most of the fish being sold are fingerlings saying this will deplete fish in the water bodies.

“Fish should be left to breed and grow so that it benefits the whole country,” he said.

He urged the residents in the district to venture into fish farming as the department of Fisheries was ready to offer guidance and services on how go about it.

And Shibuyunji District Commissioner, Jairos Simukoko expressed sadness that the residents were overlooking the fish ban.

Mr Simukoko urged the residents to venture into farming and take advantage of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), Food Security Pack (FSP) and Youth Aquaculture Empowerment  Fund among others. “I also want to encourage the fishermen to go back and farm or do other types of businesses during the fish ban to avoid breaking the law,” Mr Simukoko said