ZimParks extends Kariba’s fishing depth reprieve

Source: ZimParks extends Kariba’s fishing depth reprieve – herald

Edgar Vhera

Specialist Writer – Agribusiness

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has extended by a month the temporary reduction in allowable minimum fishing depth in Lake Kariba to 17 metres following reports of insignificant changes in kapenta catches.

Under normal circumstances, fishing is done in water depths of 20 metres and deeper, with any fishing in less than 20 metres deemed shallow ground where fish breeding takes place.

The reprieve measure was first introduced to run from November 2024 to February 2025 after noting a reduction in water levels in the lake due to the El Niño-induced drought.

ZimParks extended the same amnesty until June 30, 2025. Due to significant improvement in the water levels at Lake Kariba, the authority normalised kapenta fishing conditions from July 1 to November 30 last year.

From December 1 last year, ZimParks again extended the 17-metre fishing depth reprieve to March 31 this year.

In a recent notice to kapenta operators on Lake Kariba, ZimParks director general Professor Edison Gandiwa said though the lake water level was rising, fishers could continue to operate at the 17-metre depth until June 1.

“ZimParks conveys its appreciation to all kapenta operators for continued cooperation with adaptive management measures implemented during the period of reduced Lake Kariba water levels.

“Following continued review of Lake Kariba water levels and noting the positive upward trend, and further engagements held with industry stakeholders, the authority hereby advises that the minimum fishing depth will be reinstated to the standard threshold of 20 metres with effect from June 1, 2026,” said Prof Gandiwa.

He said the reinstatement followed the temporary variation that had permitted operations at a minimum depth of 17 metres, which remained applicable up to and including May 31, 2026.

“The authority appeals for the full support of all operators to ensure a smooth transition to the reinstated 20-metre requirement.

“Operators are requested to brief vessel masters, crews and supervisors on the change ahead of June 1,” said Prof Gandiwa.

The operators were urged to ensure their fishing operations are conducted strictly at depths of 20 metres and deeper from the effective date, and to maintain accurate operational records to support responsible and transparent fisheries management.

Members of the Zimbabwe Kapenta Producers Association (ZKPA) said they were happy with the extension and hoped fishing basin 1, currently shut to fishing, would be opened as the water levels improve.

An analysis of whole lake catches showed that kapenta catches were on the increase from a volume of 487 tonnes in 1974 to 30,943 tonnes in 1990, and have been in continual decline ever since.

According to the country’s new agriculture roadmap, the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2: 2026-30 (AFSRTS 2), the kapenta value chain faces significant challenges, primarily due to excessive and unsustainable fishing leading to overfishing.

“Operating within this subsector is expensive because of high permit fees and the costs of inputs and equipment. Additional issues include illegal fishing practices stemming from limited monitoring, surveillance and control,” read AFSRTS 2.

Climate change and water pollution also continue to diminish available fishing areas.

The proposed Fisheries and Aquaculture Act will enhance monitoring, surveillance and investment in the kapenta value chain.

“Production and gross value of kapenta are expected to remain subdued at 7,000 tonnes from 2025/26 to 2030/31, with a gross value of US$21 million.

“However, the kapenta value chain is projected to contribute 0.1 percent to the gross value of agriculture by 2030/31, with the proposed Fisheries and Aquaculture Act enhancing monitoring, surveillance and investment in the kapenta value chain,” read the AFSRTS 2.

Kapenta plays a vital role in national food and nutrition security and provides employment and a source of livelihoods.

Lake Kariba is a man-made lake shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia, where pelagic kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon) fish were introduced around 1967/68.

The kapenta resource colonised the whole lake. On the Zimbabwean side of the lake, kapenta fishery started in 1973 with a first licence issued for a purse seiner, with the Zambian side not lagging behind.

The dip net fishery only began in 1976, and nowadays stocks are mainly harvested using rigs and dip nets in both riparian countries.