Nkhotakota Court Fines Four Fishermen Over Illegal Fishing Activities on Lake Malawi
Published on July 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM by Evance Kapito
Nkhotakota Court Fines Four Fishermen Over Illegal Fishing Activities on Lake Malawi
The Nkhotakota Magistrate Court has fined four fishermen for engaging in illegal fishing practices in Lake Malawi without proper authorization and using prohibited gear.
The court ordered Faume Jafali and Gift Chirwa, both from Ngala area under Senior Chief Kanyenda, to each pay K400,000 for fishing without a license.
In a related ruling, two other fishermen Ganizani Aisah and Elias Kasuma, were fined K250,000 and K300,000, respectively, for using illegal fishing equipment, including destructive nets.
According to Wingston Machemba, an official from the Fisheries Office in Nkhotakota, the court’s decision has been welcomed and is expected to serve as a warning to others.
“Ganizani was using a beach seine net valued at K8 million, which is not allowed under Malawi’s fishing regulations,” Machemba said.
Between April and June 2025, the district council confiscated illegal fishing equipment worth K633 million from 52 individuals found violating the country’s fisheries laws.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Lake Malawi’s aquatic resources, warning that more crackdowns will follow for those failing to comply with regulations.
