Fishing activities have resumed in several areas of Lake Kivu after more than three months of suspension, according to local fishermen’s associations.
The associations said the reopening was announced during a ceremony led by Gad Mukiza, whom they identified as the deputy governor in charge of finance and the economy under the AFC/M23 administration, which currently controls Bukavu.
The reopening covers the fishing zones of Bukavu, Kabonde, Rudafulwa and Muguza, where fishermen have now been authorised to return to the lake.
During the event, authorities overseeing the reopening destroyed several illegal fishing nets as part of efforts to combat unlawful fishing practices and promote sustainable management of fish stocks.
Local fishermen’s associations welcomed the decision, saying it would allow many households to regain their main source of income after months without fishing.
They also expressed hope that stricter enforcement of fishing regulations would encourage compliance with conservation measures, particularly the ban on prohibited fishing gear, which experts say contributes to the depletion of fish populations in Lake Kivu.
Fishing is one of the main economic activities for communities living along the shores of Lake Kivu, providing both income and an important source of protein for thousands of families in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The fishermen’s associations have called on their members to comply with fishing regulations, including authorised fishing zones, permitted seasons and approved equipment, in an effort to ensure the long-term sustainability of the lake’s fisheries.
