Namibia is struggling to curb illegal, unsustainable fishing practices on perennial rivers in the north of the country amid fears of depletion of this natural resource, a government official said on Monday.
Marketing Director at the Intelligence Support Against Poaching Tinus Hansen said that the northeast river systems are highly vulnerable due to the purchase by people in neighboring countries of illegally netted fish in great quantities.
“The fishing effort has increased with uncontrolled exploitation and augmented commercialization resulting in ever declining stocks and greater threats to local livelihoods,” Hansen said.
In Namibia inland fisheries make contributions to food security and livelihood of communities particularly in the Zambezi and Okavango East and West regions.
Inland fisheries in the country have the potential to generate 5,000 tons of high-quality protein a year, through sustainable management, he said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua/NewsGhana.com.gh
