Local fisheries management authorities have asked the government to fast-track processes of gazetting by-laws which were formulated some years back aimed at safeguarding fish resources on Lake Malawi.
The call was made in Mzuzu on Monday during the signing ceremony of Fishery Management Agreements (FMA) between the directorate of fisheries and fishery associations from Karonga, Rumphi and Likoma districts.
Signing of the agreements is a step towards cementing participatory fishery management where local communities take up some roles done by the department of fisheries in enforcing regulations.
In an interview Chairperson of Mkupha Fishery Association in Likoma District Martin Mjima said with the agreement, fishery associations can now facilitate arrest of fishers caught using illegal gear such as monofilaments.
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However, Mjima said while the effective implementation of dictates of the agreements would depend on gazetting of by-laws. “
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It is unfortunate that these by-laws are taking too long to be approved by the government. The by-laws will help us to work better.
“But when the bylaws are here we will be able to even arrest anyone breaking the laws,” he said.
Chief of Party for Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Livelihoods (Refresh) Daniel Jamu said bylaws would protect the local authorities from litigation.
“We have been facilitating the process of finalising the process of management by-laws. They are very critical because they protect the local fisheries management committees from litigation because they give them the legal mandate to manage the fisheries resource,” he said.
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Director of Fisheries Hastings Zidana said the department is in constant talks with ministries of Local Government and Justice to fast-track the gazetting process.
Commenting on the management agreement Zidana said this is in line with the Fisheries Conservation and Management Act which provides that the Director of Fisheries should enter into Fisheries Management Agreements with the local structures.
“The agreements aim to establish the c o – m a n a g e m e n t relationship between the government and the local fishery management authorities to ensure sustainable management of the fishery to achieve maximum sustainable and economic yield,” he said.
Malawi has over half million fishers who use the lake resource as their primary livelihood.
