It may be quite puzzling how these discarded microfilament fishing nets have made their way onto the dry plains of Simalaha, especially when there is not a drop of water, let alone a river, in sight. Dotted across the grassy plains, Gordon Homer and some of the Peace Parks crew can be seen hard at work untangling illegal microfilament fishing nets from branches and other vegetation on the ground. Due to Simalaha lying on a floodplain, the rising waters of the Zambezi fill these dry plains with water, where communities then fish using these nets. Some are also pushed upstream by the rising waters from the main river. The nets get entangled in vegetation and are left behind as the water once again recedes.
For many rural communities in Africa, fish is an important dietary resource caught from rivers or the ocean. It is no different in Simalaha Community Conservancy, as the Zambezi River remains the region’s lifeblood, providing a valuable source of food and income for communities.
Microfilament fishing nets are often used by local fishers but are less durable and more tightly woven than nets anglers typically use. An unintended consequence of using these microfilament nets is that they are so fine that even fish eggs are caught, devastating to fish populations. As they quickly become entangled in objects or vegetation in the river, they will get discarded into the river.
The microfilament material is very light in colour, making it extremely difficult for animals to see. This does not bode well for any animal that comes into contact with the nets as they become entangled, which can cause serious injury to many different species such as birds, reptiles and even small predators. Posing a major and unnecessary risk to wildlife, these fishing nets have now been banned in Simalaha. With over two-thirds of the world’s fishing stocks depleted, Peace Parks Foundation is working closely with the communities of Simalaha to manage and regulate fishing practices in the area. Local fishers are encouraged to hand in their illegal fishing nets and, in return will receive legal fishing nets so that sustainable and eco-friendly fishing practices are used, helping to replenish fish stocks for families to survive long into the future. Peace Parks places a large focus on trying to reduce the pressure that growing human populations place on natural resources by providing communities with more sustainable sources of livelihood. This is implemented through the protection and restoration of sustainable ecosystems within southern Africa.
