By CHRIS NDHLOVU? –
SENIOR Chief Kalimankonda of the Unga people in Lunga District in Luapula Province has embarked on sensitising his subjects against using mosquito nets for fishing.
He warned his subjects using mosquito nets for fishing that once found he would ensure the culprits are punished.
The chief advised that only the normal fishing nets should be used in the fishing ventures so that the small fish could be given a chance to grow.
He also advised his subjects against placing their nets across the channels which block passage for speed boats ferrying emergency medical supplies.
The senior chief said water channels were the only means of travel in the swamps and anyone found blocking such passages by placing nets across the channels would also be punished.
Provincial medical officer Matthew Ng’ambi said Government was fighting malaria through various strategies including the placing of mosquito nets on every bed in the households.
He said the treated mosquito nets had a chemical meant to kill mosquitoes once they came in contact with the nets and that people consuming the fish caught using the treated nets would also be harmed.
Dr. Ng’ambi said Government had funded the procurement of mosquito nets so that people could be protected from malaria and the nets should therefore not be used for fishing.
Lunga District Commissioner Rose Chimbini said the people of Lunga were sensitised before supplying them with the nets.
She said the fight against the use of mosquito nets for fishing purposes should be enforced with the help of the Senior Chief because his voice will carry more weight among his subjects.
Ms Chimbini called for serious and stiffer punishment for the culprits once caught so that others could learn a lesson.
And Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Boniface Chimbwali advised the people of Lunga to diversify into livestock rearing of ducks because of the abundant presence of water.
He advised that the Council and the ministry of agriculture should teach the people of Lunga to diversify into ducks rearing because it has the potential to create wealth for the people.
He said fishing for the Unga people was their livelihood and fishing methods should be user friendly starting from one and half to four inch nets so that fishing is sustainable in the district. — ZANIS.