The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, has appealed to community members and stakeholders to help fight illegal fishing in the Zambezi Region.

Klazen and his delegation are on a four-day tour of the region to engage with various stakeholders and visit several fish farms.

These are the Likunganelo, Chata, and Imuran Fish Farms.

The delegation also visited the Katima Mulilo Open Market.

Speaking at a media briefing, Klazen acknowledged the ministry's limited human resources and the need to escalate efforts to combat unlawful activities occurring within the region's rivers.

"The task to combat illegal fishing in this beautiful Zambezi Region is a mammoth task, and among the fisheries inspectors that we are having, they are not up to this big task. That's why the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is seriously going to consider this request, which came very strongly from the governor's office as well as the regional council of the Zambezi. We need to look into this, and we need to see."

He stated that there is a need to explore alternatives within the legal framework to effectively tackle issues stemming from limited resources and personnel.

"I have been made aware of the challenges of fisheries inspectors within the region and the acute need to recruit more fisheries inspectors, or in the alternative, investigate the appointment of honorary fisheries inspectors, or what is known as fish guards, in order to ensure compliance and to fight that practise of illegal fishing in the Zambezi and other regions."

The minister also commended the police in the region for their continued support in apprehending those found fishing without permits.

He urged officials of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment to also assist the ministry in safeguarding fish species.