By KETRA KALUNGA
FISH in the Zambezi River faces extinction threat from the Chinese imported Red Clay fish. The predatory Red Clay fish is believed to have been imported by the Chinese who were engaged to construct the Mongu-Kalabo bridge which invaded the Zambezi River after the dams in which they were kept burst due to floods.
And a civil society organisation, Action Governance Forum (AGF) is concerned with the reduction of the fish population in the river as a result of the Red Clay fish which feeds on the local species. AGF executive director Justine Mushoke says there is agent need for the government to intervene and protect the vulnerable indigenous species fish from the Red Clay fish before it is extinct.
Mr. Mushoke said the ministry of Fisheries and Livestock should consider putting in place deliberate measures to prevent the already depleting fish population in the river from extinction. He said in an interview that the already reduced fish population in the Zambezi River would deplete further if the Red Clay fish was not eliminated or its fast-growing population reduced on time.
Mr. Mushoke said the population of the local fish in the Zambezi River has reduced because the Red Clay fish which reproduces at a faster rate than the indigenous species was feeding on it hence the need for quick intervention.
“We have observed from the project that we are doing as AGF called Advocacy in Sustainability Management for communities in the flood plains along the Zambezi that the red clay fish is a dan[1]ger to the local fish because it is eating the local fish,” he said.
