Zambezi gets fish protection boost

WINDHOEK, JUNE13 – FNB Namibia, through the FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust has supported the Sikunga Fish Protection project in Zambezi with a total amount of N$775 000 to curb illegal fishing, over a three-year period.

The Sikunga Protection project is supported by the Sikunga Conservancy, Masubia Traditional Authority and various Tourism Enterprises. The area represents a small part of the Zambezi River where the fish stocks are protected. This is 8 km of the river and backwaters where fish are protected and allowed to breed undisturbed. Fifteen Fish Guards are employed on a permanent basis to control and protect the area.

“FNB, through our FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust is committed to environmental guardianship in our country, and has over the last year, been involved in more than 14 projects, where environmental guardianship has been the focus. We want to thank the team of Sikunga Fish Protection for their hard work and for playing an active role in the guardianship of our environment, particularly in Zambezi River ecosystem”, said Allan Matengu, FNB Branch Manager, Katima Mulilo.

Dgini Visser of the Gondwana Care Trust: “Conservation of our natural resources is only possible when like-minded organizations and communities work together to preserve these resources. The Gondwana Care Trust is sincerely thankful to FNB Namibia and FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust for its generous contribution towards the Fish Protection Project in the Sikunga Conservancy. The Sikunga Fish Guards play an important role as stewards of the Zambezi River, particularly the Sikunga Fish Protection Area, which protects fish stocks for future generations. The support of FNB Namibia will go a long way in securing resources for the fish guards to execute their mandate. The Gondwana Care Trust will ensure that its partnership with FNB Namibia and the Sikunga Fish Guards is sustainable and conveys a lasting positive impact on the communities of the Zambezi Region”. – NDN Staffer