Fishing Ban on Kafue River Expected to Be Lifted Next Month

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock is preparing to lift the suspension of fishing activities on the Kafue River in Central and Copperbelt Provinces next month, following encouraging environmental assessments.

According to Benny Munyama, Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry, ongoing monitoring has shown that heavy metal contamination in the river is stabilising. The contamination was caused by a dam failure at Sino Metals, which released acid and heavy metals into the Mwambashi Stream, a tributary of the Kafue River.

Munyama explained that recent developments indicate positive environmental recovery, supporting the Ministry’s intention to lift the fishing ban in the coming weeks.

However, Munyama urged local communities to remain vigilant and report any fish deaths or unusual aquatic activity, which could signal ongoing contamination. These community reports are vital for the Ministry to make data-driven decisions that safeguard the long-term health of the river ecosystem.

Despite the improvements, Munyama clarified that the suspension of fishing remains in full effect until a formal announcement is made.