GOVERNMENT has cautioned Zambian fishermen in Chienge and Nchelenge Districts in Luapula Province against crossing into the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) waters on Lake Mweru and Luapula River to fish.

ZANIS reports that Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Mighty Mumba says the Zambian government is spending a lot of resources to bail out fishermen arrested by the Congolese authorities for fishing from that country’s waters bordering Zambia.

Mr Mumba noted that there are many reports of Zambian fishermen arrested by Congolese authorities for crossing into Congolese waters to fish.

“Do not fish on the Congolese waters because the government is spending huge sums of money to have you released once you are captured fishing on the Congolese waters,” Mr Mumba said.

Meanwhile, Mr Mumba has noted that the Government has warned fishermen in Nchelenge and Chienge Districts against violating the annual fishing ban enforcement.

Mr Mumba emphasised that fishermen should respect the fishing ban which runs between 1 December to 28 February annually to allow fish to breed.

He said it is unfortunate that people in the area have persistently chosen to disregard the fishing ban when fishing was their mainstay in the area.

Mr Mumba appealed to people in the two districts to prepare and secure alternative livelihoods during the fishing ban enforcement.

“Government is not here to disadvantage you or anyone, but can we allow fish to breed so that we can realise the benefits because without it we will have no livelihoods,” Mr Mumba said.