INTRODUCE FISHING LICENCES – JESUITS

Sat, 26 Aug 2017 10:44:58 +0000

By Buumba Chimbulu

GOVERNMENT should consider introducing fishing licences for fishermen in the 2018 national budget to control fish depletion, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has proposed.

According to JCTR programmes officer, Innocent Ndashe, introducing these licences would assist Government to control fish depletion from rampant fishing activities.

“Introducing fishing licences for fishermen and women will bring order in the sector, the government will be able to control fish depletion which is caused by rampant or illegal fishing in the country,” he said.

Mr. Ndashe noted that currently no fishing licences existed, hence making Government to lose revenue in the sector due to lawlessness in the sector.

He recently explained during a press briefing in Lusaka that introducing fishing licences would help Government to identify who was involved in fishing and systematically collect levy.

Mr. Ndashe said this measure would also create employment opportunities for stakeholders in the sector and increase revenue for the government.

He also called on Government to create farming blocks in Kitwe to diversify the economy and create more jobs. Mr. Ndashe said currently no farming block existed in the Kitwe, saying this situation meant that there was little diversification in the city leading to unemployment.