Authorities seize mosquito nets in Namwala

By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –
AUTHORITIES in Namwala have confiscated more than 200 mosquito nets used for catching fish in the Kafue River.
A combined team of officials from the Fisheries Department, police and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife seized the nets at Kalweza fishing camp on Monday evening.
The fishermen escaped upon noticing the team of officials arriving at the camp.
Namwala District fisheries officer Daniel Chilundika expressed worry over the misuse of mosquito nets in Namwala and surrounding areas.
Mr Chilundika said apart from the mosquito nets, other items confiscated were 84 kilogrammes of dry fish, 35kg of fresh fish and 19 assorted small-sized monofilaments.
He thanked Chief Mukobela of the Ila people of Namwala for offering his personal vehicle to help the department to conduct the patrols to curb illegal fishing methods.
“I appeal to communities to strengthen community crime prevention units, which have proved to be very helpful in combating illegal fishing methods in communities near the rivers,” Mr Chilundika said
The Ministry of Health has been distributing mosquito nets in various parts of the country and has been warning against the misuse of the nets, particularly for fishing.