A magistrate in Nkhata-Bay has convicted and slapped 61-year-old Nickson Mphaso With a K200,000.00 fine for breaking fisheries laws.

Mphaso was arrested on December 9, 2024 after being found fishing without proper authorisation papers as per regulations.

Mphatso pleaded guilty to the offence.

Second Grade Magistrate Alex Mailosi concurred with of prosecution that there is now a rise in offences against fisheries hence a need to met out stiffer penalties. He said Mphatso would go to jail for a year if he did not pay the prescribed fine.

Ripple Africa Organisation’s senior project officer in Conserve Fish for Tomorrow project, Sam Manda has commended Beach Village Committees for their collaborative efforts in curbing illegal fishing in the area.