Ripple Africa Donates K5 Million Patrol Boat to Nkhotakota Fisheries Department

Malawi - Non-governmental organization, Ripple Africa, has donated a patrol boat worth K5 million to the Nkhotakota Fisheries Department in Malawi, writes Wongani Mkandawire, MANA.

The boat is expected to help the department with water patrols and strengthen efforts to prevent illegal fishing during the closed season in the district.

During the handover ceremony at Anolds Lakeshore Resort in the district, Senior Deputy Director of Fisheries, Jacqueline Kazembe, expressed her gratitude and described the donation as a timely gift.

She stated that the boat would alleviate patrol challenges that the department has faced on the lake due to a lack of a water patrol boat.

Patrol boats play a critical role in deterring illegal fishing activities.

As soon as enforcement officials are on the water to patrol, fishing boats tend to shun the lake, unlike in the past when enforcement was difficult.

The donation is, therefore, expected to significantly boost the department's efforts to curb illegal fishing activities.

The chairperson of Nkhotakota District Council, Gazel Chimzele, who received the donation on behalf of the district commissioner, said the boat would be beneficial to the Fisheries Department as well as the district council.

Apart from curbing illegal fishing on the lake, the boat would also assist the department in patrolling and ensuring fishing boats have paid their due licenses to the local council, thereby enhancing its income generation.

Additionally, the boat is expected to help in monitoring and ensuring that during the fishing season, fishing boats use the accepted tools for fishing on the lake.

Ripple Africa Country Director, Force Ngwira, explained that the organization was already implementing a fish conservation project in Nkhotakota and realized the importance of making the donation to help the department enhance its patrols and curb illegal fishing gear used on the lake.

Ripple Africa is a regular partner of the Fisheries Department, having donated boats before in Salima and Monkey Bay in Mangochi.

The donation of the patrol boat is a significant boost to the efforts of the Nkhotakota Fisheries Department to ensure sustainable fishing practices and conserve the environment in the district.