By Admore Mbonda, Kariba
The kapenta fish stocks in Lake Kariba are rapidly declining, driven by overfishing, climate change, and illegal fishing practices.
Despite attempts to address the issue, such as a 2014 agreement between Zimbabwe and Zambia to reduce the number of fishing rigs, the situation remains dire.
While Zambia committed to removing 50 rigs per year and Zimbabwe pledged to cut 13 rigs annually, over 1,500 rigs continue to operate on the lake.
Recent statistics paint a grim picture: the kapenta population has plummeted by 49% over the past five years.
Climate change has compounded the problem by altering water temperatures and levels, disrupting kapenta breeding cycles and further depleting their numbers.
In response, Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has ceased issuing new licenses for kapenta fishing to curb further stock depletion.
However, the next steps from Zambia remain uncertain, raising concerns about the effectiveness of a unified approach.
Experts and stakeholders agree that immediate action is necessary to prevent the collapse of this critical fishery.
Collaboration between governments, fishing communities, and conservation bodies is vital to ensure sustainable management.
Additionally, stakeholders are exploring the potential of caged kapenta farming, inspired by successes in tilapia aquaculture.
While this method presents challenges, advancements in technology could make it a viable alternative, reducing pressure on wild populations while boosting production.
The future of Lake Kariba’s kapenta rests on swift and innovative solutions to balance ecological preservation with economic sustainability.
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