ZimParks Reduces Kariba Fishing Depth to Sustain Kapenta Stocks Amid Climate Challenges
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has taken a strategic step to safeguard Lake Kariba’s vital Kapenta fishery by lowering the minimum allowable fishing depth from 20 to 17 metres. This adjustment, announced in late 2025, aims to address the ongoing stagnation in Kapenta catches despite previous conservation measures and is informed by recent water level assessments and environmental challenges linked to climate irregularities, notably the El Niño phenomenon.
Since its initial introduction from November to February of the previous year, the fishing depth regulation has been extended until 30 June 2026. According to ZimParks Director General, Professor Edison Gandiwa, ‘‘Our proactive monitoring revealed that current water levels in Lake Kariba are lower than anticipated for this time of year, necessitating this adjustment to maximise the availability of viable fishing grounds while ensuring sustainable practices.’’ The lowered fishing depth enables fishers to access Kapenta stocks without causing excessive environmental degradation or over-exploitation.
Kapenta, a small sardine-like fish species native to Lake Kariba, forms the backbone of Zimbabwe’s freshwater fishery, underpinning livelihoods and national food security. Its importance is reflected in the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2: 2026-30 (AFSRTS 2), which emphasises the critical role of sustainable management and value addition in fisheries. The strategy outlines persistent challenges such as high operational costs, illegal fishing activities, climate change, and pollution, all contributing to diminished harvests.
The Zimbabwe Kapenta Producers Association (ZKPA), representing local fishers, welcomed the extension but raised concerns regarding basin management policies. While Basin 1 (Mlibizi) and Basin 2 (Binga) fishers are now permitted to operate in Basin 3 (Sengwa), the reverse remains prohibited. Vice Chairman Bernard Munsaka highlighted that this limitation restricts Basin 3 fishers’ access to potentially richer fishing areas, intensifying competition and crowding by Basin 1 and 2 fishers in deeper waters. ‘‘We urge ZimParks to consider creating a unified Binga basin policy that allows sharing of fishing rights among all three basins to promote equitable access and reduce overfishing pressure,’’ he stated.
In the 1990s, Kapenta catches peaked at 30,000 tonnes annually but plummeted by 83 percent to just 5,175 tonnes in 2023, underscoring the urgent need for responsive management and policy interventions. These figures highlight the depletion of Kapenta stocks, primarily driven by unsustainable fishing and environmental shifts. Moreover, the AFSRTS 2 projects that production will stabilise at around 7,000 tonnes annually through to 2030/31, contributing modestly (0.1 percent) to the gross value of agriculture, with a gross value forecasted at US$21 million.
Recognising these challenges, Zimbabwe is advancing legislative reform with the forthcoming Fisheries and Aquaculture Act. This act is expected to enhance monitoring, surveillance, and investment, laying the groundwork for a more regulated and prosperous Kapenta value chain. Improved enforcement against illegal fishing, alongside support for small-scale fishers—especially women and youth—aligns with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which focuses on food security, sustainable natural resource use, and inclusive development.
At the grassroots level, farmers and fishers in Zimbabwe’s Kariba region stand at the forefront of adapting to these changes. Crafting resilient livelihoods amid climate variability requires collaborative efforts between government agencies, research bodies, community organisations, and the private sector. For instance, Ms. Grace Moyo, a female fisher from Binga, shared how the adjustment in fishing depths has temporarily alleviated pressure on dwindling Kapenta stocks, but she also emphasised the need for capacity building and equitable access across basins to ensure sustained income for fishing communities.
FFA Explainer Box: What is Kapenta?
Kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon) is a small, schooling freshwater fish indigenous to Lake Kariba. It is rich in protein and essential nutrients, serving as a primary source of livelihood for many communities around the lake. Responsible management of Kapenta stocks is crucial for ecological balance, food security, and economic wellbeing.
In conclusion, ZimParks’ decision to lower the fishing depth limit on Lake Kariba reflects adaptive resource management in the face of climate challenges. By balancing ecological sustainability with socio-economic realities, Zimbabwe is demonstrating commitment to preserving its aquatic resources for future generations. Aligning these efforts with the NDS1 and the AFSRTS 2 ensures that opportunities are expanded for women, youth, and children, contributing to national goals of rural transformation and agricultural diversification. As Lake Kariba’s waters fluctuate with climate variability, coordinated policies and community engagement will be key to restoring Kapenta populations, safeguarding farmer livelihoods, and securing Zimbabwe’s food systems.
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