The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and Ministry of Environment , Forestry and Tourism have procured six patrol boats that are being deployed across various conservancies with fisheries reserves in the Zambezi Region . Valued at N . dollars 2 . 5 million , the patrol boats and two outboard engines were purchased this financial year to facilitate routine patrols aimed at enforcing the Inland Fisheries Resources Act and ensuring the sustainable use of fisheries resources . Bright Sanzila , the project coordinator for Community Livelihood Development and Wildlife Conflict Mitigation in the Zambezi Region , in a recent interview with Nampa confirmed the operation of the patrol boats in the area . He said the two ministries , as well as the Ministry of Agriculture , are working together to ensure that local communities benefit from their natural resources through poverty reduction initiatives tied to community conservation efforts . ‘ The boats are actively ensuring a safe environment , crime preventio
n , community engagement , investigation of offences , and , most importantly , running awareness campaigns on right and wrong practices ,’ Sanzila said . According to Sanzila , the six patrol boats have been deployed across the Salambala , Mayuni , Kwando , Nakabolelwa , Kabulabula , and Sikunga conservancies . He also noted that 16 new bicycles were recently handed over to assist in routine patrols in areas that are not accessible by boat . Zambezi Governor Lawrence Sampofu earlier this year highlighted the importance of land and river patrols in combating illegal fishing . ‘ Land and river patrols have been carried out to combat illegal fishing , resulting in the issuance of 147 fines to offenders , compared to 111 last year . Additionally , nine case dockets were opened against 23 Zambian nationals and three Namibians for violations of the Inland Fisheries Act and its 2003 regulations ,’ the governor said during his State of the Region Address delivered in August .

Source: The Namibia News Agency