. Kampyongo

By CHATULA KAMPO –
THE introduction of the Police Marine Unit will help enhance patrols during the current fish ban period says Home Affairs Deputy Minister Stephen Kampyongo.
Despite the ban, some unscrupulous fishermen have previously defied authorities taking to fishing illegally on some water bodies due to lack of regular inspections.
Mr Kampyongo said in an interview during the week that the Zambia Police Marine Unit was working with the fisheries department to intensify patrols during the December 1, to March period of the ban.
He said that the marine unit would help reduce illegal fishing activities across all water bodies in Zambia.
“We are working in collaboration with the fisheries department to intensify patrols of illegal fishing activities across all water bodies. During this fishing ban, we are expecting illegal fishing activities to reduce and see an increase in the population of fish,” he said.
Mr Kampyongo said  his ministry had deployed enough police officers under  the marine unit across all  water bodies where fishing activities  take place.
He said the marine and the fisheries department would arrest anyone found engaging in illegal fishing.
He noted that the breeding of fish will increase due to the expected reduction of illegal fishing activities in all the water bodies.
Mr Kampyongo said the population of fish in water bodies would increase hence adding value to the economic development of the country.
The ban is imposed every year when all fishing areas in Zambia are closed from December 1, to March 1 the following year to allow the fish to breed.