PARKS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY has taken a zero tolerance to poaching in Chivero this following report that poachers are threatening the fishing industry. Since the beginning of the year over two thousand eight hundred and thirty-six (2,836) poachers have been arrested while two hundred and twenty six boats have been seized. The total number of fish poached in Lake Chivero alone is calculated at over eight thousand two hundred kilograms prejudicing the Authority of over twenty thousand United States dollars in revenue. Investigations have also revealed that poachers use bicycles and vehicles to transport the poached fish from Lake Chivero, to date 48 bicycles and two vehicles have been seized. During questioning the arrested poachers, some of whom work for registered fisheries in Lake Chivero allege poor management practices by fishery owners while others allege that they are being paid five rand a day which when converted translates to US$15, 00 a month.

 

The poachers who are arrested pay fines varying from US$20, 00 to US$250,00.The seized equipment is pilling up as the poachers are finding it difficult to raise the fines.Pochers have become innovative as they are now using used vehicle tubes as boats to engage in illegal fishing activities. To date 72 tubes have been seized and these are later destroyed but the owner then pays a fine, some of the poachers carry out their illegal activities disguised as rod and line fishermen who go into the lake with hidden nets.

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Public Relations Manager CarolineWashaya-Moyo says much as the authority is operating under very difficult conditions characterized by constraints in resources and finance this will not deter its officers from carrying out their mandate. Responding to allegations that some parks officers are engaging in corrupt activities in Lake Chivero Washaya-Moyo says the public is free to whistle blow on any such officers