(ZIMPAPERS) Fishing co-operatives face challenges

Fishing co-operatives face challenges
Saturday, 21 May 2011 21:09
By Emilia Zindi
recently in Chibuyu, Binga

MEMBERS of the Chizuminano co-operative arrive from a night fishing trip with only two trays weighing less than 100kg. FISHING co-operatives operating in Kariba Dam in the Chibuyu area of Binga are appealing for assistance in the form of boats and nets to boost their operations.

The co-operatives, whose membership numbers from 20 to 30, are facing serious operating challenges as they compete with established companies in the kapenta fishing industry.

The members of the co-operatives are using dilapidated boats, with some being forced to use canoes.

This is in sharp contrast with established companies that are using well-equipped fishing boats.

The established companies are enjoying bigger catches than the co-operative members, yet the two sides are competing for the same market.

One such fishing co-operative that has problems with its equipment is Chizuminano, whose membership stands at 10. Co-operative secretary Mr Siyamukange Manheru said they started the venture in 1993.

He said since then members had only managed to buy a single boat.

“If we can have more than one boat, things will improve as we are competing with big companies that have more than three boats,’’ said Mr Manheru.

He said due to the shortage of fishing boats, the co-operative was able to catch only between four and five tonnes a month compared to the established companies that can haul in more than 20 tonnes.

Mr Manheru said while the co-operative has three licences, it had only been able to use one due to a lack of fishing boats and nets.

He said as a result of shortage of equipment, established companies had taken advantage and were now fishing in areas demarcated for co-operatives.

“The dam is divided into basins, with us owning the area that covers Kudu,” said Mr Manheru. “But we are seeing companies fishing in our area as their areas are not giving them a good catch during this period.’’

Mr Manheru said since they competed with established companies, it was equally important that roads leading to the fishing camps be accessible as co-operatives did not have transport to take their produce to the market as was the case with the big companies.

“We have to wait for customers to come to us of which not many do so because of poor roads,” he said.

“So you find that we can get stuck with our kapenta, while the companies push their catch fast.’’

Mr Manheru said it was the responsibility of the National Parks and Wildlife Authority to see to it that companies did not encroach onto areas reserved for cooperatives.

A parks official in the area, who refused to be named, said they acted only if the co-operatives reported the cases.

He said it was common during this time of the season that certain areas of the dam could have less kapenta.

As a result, there was a lot of encroaching onto each other’s areas, but the operators had to understand their areas of jurisdiction.

The official bemoaned the need to give a break on kapenta fishing in the lake to allow breeding.

He said it was sad that it was only in Zimbabwe where kapenta fishing was conducted non-stop, yet in countries such as Malawi a three-month break is observed every year.

“Global warming is causing reduction in breeding as the plant that the kapenta feed on is being destroyed,’’ said the parks official.

- The Sunday Mail