llegal fishing lands three in trouble with the law at Oshakati

Police in Oshana region have opened a case of illegal fishing, for people fishing catfishes in the sewerage pond located behind the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) base in Oshakati leading to one arrest and two fines issued under the Inland Fisheries Resources Act No. 1 of 2003.

Oshana police regional commander Naftal Lungameni Sakaria said the case registered involves a 55-year-old Namibian male who was charged for illegal fishing activities. He now faces legal action under the Act, which regulates the sustainable use of Namibia’s inland water resources.

In addition to the 55-year-old arrest, two other individuals were fined for related offenses. A 41-year-old was fined for using a fishing net that failed to meet the required mesh size standards as prescribed by law.

Sakaria said another 39-year-old received a fine for drag netting - a practice that can be harmful to aquatic ecosystems due to its sweeping impact on fish populations and habitats.

Fishing in the Oshanas, seasonal flood plains is an occurrence in the northern regions with many house holds using the rainy season as an opportunity to get relish. However, fishing is only allowed with a licence issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Sakaria explained that fishing in the ponds is a very serious health hazard for those consuming the fish and has given a stern warning to the fisher men and women that the police will not tolerate it.

He added that they have noticed with concern that majority of the culprits sell the fish.



“This is like selling poison to someone. You take their money and you kill them. No! It will not be tolerated. We will have constant patrols to those areas to assist the ministry. We already have an indication of cholera outbreaks in some parts of the country and now we have these people trying to sell contaminated fish,” Sakaria fumed.

He gave a stern warning to anyone planning to go and catch the cat fisher that they will be arrested.

“As authorities we have reiterated our commitment to enforcing fishing regulations, particularly from the contaminated sewer ponds,” Sakaria said.

He urged the public to familiarise themselves with fishing laws to avoid legal consequences.

Cutting sewer ponds open

Oshakati town mayor Leonard Hango said the ponds are fully fenced off to the maximum and with mesh wire but the criminal activities continue as those fishing cut it open to gain access.

Hango said in addition to cutting down the fence, they also break the boundaries of the embankment and this is where they place their nets.

“This is highly contaminated water as it comes from all types of industrial areas. That fish is not healthy for consumption. To borrow or damage the embankment of the ponds. It’s a destruction of the property. They are also causing a health hazard to the environment as the sewer water may mix with the water from the Oshanas leading to Cholera disease. We will arrest them,” he said.

Hango added that they have had meetings with the members of the communities in the Shimbangu area of Oshakati, and Okaku kiipupu village as well as neighboring villages explaining the health hazard but yet people refuse to oblige.

He said the suspects catch the fish, and sell on the road to Okahao and along the Endola road with some of their customers believing the fish is from clan water but it is not.

“They must make clean money not fish from ponds. I appreciate the effort of the Namibian police and we will continue working to ensure that these practise stops,” Hango said.