FISHERMEN in Mwandi district have welcomed the annual fish ban regulation by government for maximum fish procreation, to allow enough breeds after its lifting in February next year.

Mwandi District Fisheries Officer, Chrispine Machila says the fish ban is expected to start on December 1, 2024 and will be lifted on February 28, 2025.

ZANIS reports that speaking during a sensitisation exercise on the fish ban, Mr Machila has advised farmers to venture into farming and other economic activities to sustain their livelihood.

He also encouraged fish traders who will be buying fish from neighbouring Namibia to obtain export permits.

Mr Machila further urged the fishermen to use legal gears such as the multifilament net recommended for the upper Zambezi river fishing area.

He said the recommended nets include one and half inches to two and a half inches for the small fish and three inches upwards for big or tilapia fish.

Kashabati fishing camp fisherman, Siyanga Pumulo has appealed to the department of fisheries to find ways of bringing close to the recommended fish nets for easy access unlike traveling as far as Lusaka to find them.

Another fisherman from Mahonono fishing camp, Mwanza Matomola said he was happy with the fish ban and has, however, advised the fisheries officer to consider blocking very small fish traders and prevent them from accessing the market so that people were forced to buy only big fish.

Meanwhile, Kashabati fishing camp fisherman, Mukemani Mufaya said he would consider gardening during the fish ban to sustain his livelihood.