Mr. Tshekedi Khama, Minister of Tourism & Wildlife

The Botswana government through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) says it has taken a decision to suspend fishing at Lake Ngami and Lake Xau.

According to the department, the suspension will be for a period of 12 months starting 1st March, 2015 until 28th February 2016. Government argued that the need to suspend fishing was to address environmental concerns as a result of uncontrolled fishing activities around the two fishing areas.

“The suspension will allow finalisation of fishing regulations which will recognise the value of fish as a resource for the benefit of Batswana,” the department said.

Government also said the suspension will further allow for development and operation of Community Trusts such as Lake Ngami Conservation Trust.

It added that once the community Trust is operational, the communities around the lake area will be able to assist Government in managing the natural resources sustainably while benefiting from these resources through the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme.

“Fishers with valid fishing licenses for Lake Ngami must report to the nearest DWNP Office for endorsement of alternative fishing areas in their licenses.”

The general public is further informed that issuance of commercial fishing licenses for Ngamiland Region will be wholly suspended during this period (1st March, 2015 –28th February, 2016).