A cross-border fishery project in Simalaha Community Conservancy promises a sustainable future for local communities that rely on the Zambezi River for their livelihoods.
Protecting this precious resource not only saves fish but also preserves a way of life, ensuring a vital food source for those who depend on it.
The river is a haven for diverse wildlife.
Established by the Simalaha Community Conservancy, with support from Namibia Nature Foundation and Peace Parks Foundation, this initiative ensures a healthier river by creating fish reserves and protecting breeding sites along the Zambezi River in Namibia and Zambia.
The use of legally approved fishing nets is crucial to this cause.
Ruth Silume, a Fish Monitor from Simalaha Community Conservancy, says the use of illegal fishing methods compromised fish populations. Previously, fishers used inappropriate fishing gear such as mosquito nets.
“I grew up here and, way back, there were a lot of fish but now there aren’t as many because of the illegal fishing methods fishers use. The illegal fishing gear is made up of mosquito nets and they are not recommended because they carry everything, including eggs. The challenge we face with fishers is that there are those who don’t understand the badness of using illegal fishing gear,” Ruth says.
Watch this episode to learn more about how the project is turning this around for Zambezi River.
Stay tuned to PeaceParks.TV for more on-the-ground action.
