By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
The Ministries of Water Development and Fisheries and Livestock have clarified that the requirement to obtain a permit does not extend to small scale or subsistence aquaculture operations.
Water Development Permanent Secretary Mabvuto Sakala and Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary Benson Mwenya said in a joint media statement that the notice is a requirement for commercial fish farmers to obtain aquaculture permits.
The Ministries have also clarified that this is meant to ensure equitable utilization of water resources, stating that since enactment of the statutory Instrument, permits have only been issued to commercial water users for a period of 5 years.
Members of the Public have since been urged to contact the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) for any further clarification.
This came after a notice was circulated on social media that fish farmers will be required to obtain permits for practicing aquaculture, or risk being penalized a sum of 2,950.00 kwacha.
