RSS 2.0 FeedJanuary 2012 Volume 39
Zimbabwe police arrests 31 Zambian fish poachers
Harare. Zimbabwean police have arrested 31 Zambians for poaching fish in prohibited zones along the Zambezi River. Police also seized eight commercial fishing rigs belonging to the Zambians during an anti poaching operation with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA).
Ms Caroline Washaya Moyo, the ZPWMA spokesperson said some of the poachers had since appeared in court and were fined.The fishing cooperatives paid $4 000 each to recover the fishing rigs. “The 31 fish poachers of Zambian origin are between the ages of 14 and 27,” Ms Washaya Moyo said.“They have managed to secure the release of five rigs and are yet to clear fines for the remaining three.”
She said the authority was facing a number of challenges in policing the water border that serves as the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.Seven Zambians were arrested in May along the Zambezi River in shallow waters and three commercial fishing rigs were impounded.
Another four were arrested in August for catching kapenta fish in a prohibited breeding zone.ZPWMA says fish poaching has become a major concern along the Zambezi River.The river is shared by eight countries at the southern tip of Africa.
