FISH species on Zambian water bodies are not only food, but provide employment, tourists’ attraction and contribute to national economic development.
The more fish Zambia retains would therefore, translate to increased economic development and upon which some families mostly in rural areas survive on.
Breeding fish in huge quantities is then, a sure way of keeping its reproduction cycle going and maintain their population in the waters.
It is in this vein that the Zambian Government mooted a way of maintaining and multiplying fish on the Zambian waters.
The fish ban, runs from the beginning of every December to the end of March in the following year, a period in which all fishing activities cease as fish replenishes.
In order to curb fishing activities, Zambian security wings arrest any person found with fish suspected to have been caught during the ban.
Man being a sophisticated, sadly does not understand the essence of fish ban period, he devises  means of getting on the waters during the ban, and also find ways of sneaking caught fish into the market.
If only fishermen and women understood the importance of allowing fish breed into huge populations, the ban would be a period in which they could diversify to other means of survival like crop farming.
Alas, in their quest to defy the ban, fishermen have found themselves not only against the Zambian laws, but in some instances stray into foreign water bodies.
The introduction of the police marine unit meant to help monitor the ban will enhance patrol of illegal fishing activities.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Stephen Kampyongo recently sounded the warning that the Zambian police have been equipped with the means to patrol the waters.
Mr Kampyongo said in an interview during the week that the Zambia Police Marine Unit was working with the fisheries department to intensify patrols during the ban, a move which will deter illegal fishing.