Rumphi District Council has asked traders along the lakeshore areas to stop selling small fish locally known as Bonya for sustainability of fish in Lake Malawi.

Othaniel Duwe Fisheries Extension Officer, said the council has observed that the bonya is the most sold fish in the markets hence the need for intervention.

“We need  a lot of pressure to end the use of illegal fishing gears that are used in catching small fish and traders will be forced to start selling big fish. In order to restore fisheries for sustainable.

Lackson Madise a Livelihoods (REFRESH) Project Technician, said they have decided to engage traders because they are the ones who do fishing business and hopefully they can bring a positive impact.

Rumphi District Council in Partnership with Find Your Feet through REFRESH Project with funding from USAID, has engaged traders from Chitimba, Chiweta and Mlowe to find ways to eliminate the availability of illegal fishing gears there.