FISHERIES - NKK champions roll in action at TA Kanyenda's Area
Nkhota-Kota fisheries champions recently inducted had an outreach meeting with sub-fisheries associations on the role of champions to ensure sustainable fisheries management
NKHOTA-KOTA, Malawi (Planet Defence) – Recently orientated Nkhota-Kota Fisheries champions conducted an outreach meeting to sub-fisheries association members in Traditional Authority Kanyenda’s area at Msenjere Mkalangamwa Enterprise on Thursday 10th August, 2023.
Speaking during the event Bilale Jambo and Maxwell Chilawo chairman and secretary respectively introduced the newly crowned champion Alexander Chaziya of Mkalangamwa Enterprise to represent the business community.
“Business enterprises comes in handy to provide alternative solutions to the fishing sector and ably champion sub fisheries and fisherfolks in their respective fish landing sites under the Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Fisheries in Malawi (REFRESH) project,” said Bilale Jambo during the gathering.
As fisheries champions along the shoreline, their role is to change the perception and mindset of the fisher folk community to ensure long term availability of the fish resources.
Both the champions and the members discussed Introduction of district fisheries champions, their selection criteria and ensure effective reforcement in the management of fisheries resources.
The planned representation at district level will start from district council, members of parliament, traditional authorities, area development committee, pastors fraternal, magistrates, police, business men, media, civil society groups, disherfolks, beach village committees, fisheries staff and riverline committees.
“The diverse combination of stakeholders is aimed at holding hands to make sure fish, sanctuaries, catchment and the overall lake ecosystem is fully protected including sensitisation on illegal fishing is banned,” explained Maxwell Chilawo to the participants.
The meeting also placed a spotlight on use of illegal gear and the dangers to the ecosystem. One such gear is the mono-filament that are banned and discouraged by the law. Members were also reminded not to accepted their use in there respective fish landing sites.
The use of current by laws attracted wide consultations before resorting to stiff penalties. Members also suggested checks and balances should be employed to curb the malpractice and then nip them in the budthrough sensitisation.
It was further proposed that law enforcement be backed by patrols and intelligence in its approach. Members also analysed feedback and lessons learnt from what happened at Liwaladzi where fisherfolks protested the monofilament ban.
However, the participants hailed the exercise saying it has sent a great warning because some people have started using recommended fishing nets.
Sub-fisheries association also requested REFRESH technicians to join hands to ensure they work together with the local structures to ensure long term management of fisheries resources in the area.
The meeting at Kanyenda was attended by chairpersons from ten Beach Village Committees and two riverline committees which lies along Bua River tributory at Khonde. Other BVCs were chiphole, matumbi, chizewo, walemera, Liwaladzi, Kabiza, Kawa, Nkhono, Kambuto in Matiki Illovo area and finally Kachere at Dwangwa River tributory in Nyamvuu area. The RVC were Lunda and Khonde.
This followed the induction that was done by PACT through REFRESH project aimed at introducing the newly selected champions in the district.