Saving Cahora Bassa
The Conservation and Rehabilitation of Lake Cahora Bassa
Lake Cahora Bassa in the Tete Province of Mozambique is an essential natural resource with significant untapped socio-economic development potential. Unfortunately, too many income streams and livelihoods dependent on Cahora Bassa results in epidemic overfishing, deforestation, and exploitation of the lake and surrounding locale.
The impending natural disaster is rooted in the increasing illegal fishing and dangerous fishing techniques that threaten the environment and future fishery sustainability. Local communities and fisheries are facing plummeting catch rates that threaten food security and stable employment in the region as a result.
Lake Cahora Bassa in Mozambique
Insecticide-treated nets used for illegal fishing
Exploitation and Overfishing in Cahora Bassa
Lake Cahora Bassa is located along the Zambezi river in the Tete Province of Mozambique. The exploitation and mismanagement of the lake endanger the environment, healthy fish populations, and community livelihoods. The increased fishing using insecticide-treated nets, illegal kapenta rigs fishing without reservation, and a lack of authority and instances of corruption will lead to the Cahora Bassa region's complete ecological and humanitarian collapse. The size of the lake and the surrounding catchment area impair effective governing. Continued inaction will severely impact the environment, livelihoods, food security, and businesses.
Artisanal fishing rig
Insecticide-treated nets polluting the shoreline
Empowering Artisanal Fishermen and Local Communities
Operation Save Cahora Bassa
The exploitation of the lake is reaching a tipping point that will have irreversible social, ecological, and ecological effects. Mozambezi Fisheries and Mozambican scientists and conservationists are working alongside DTCare to secure funding to save Cahora Bassa. The premise behind Operation Save Cahora Bassa is to empower local fishing communities through pre-established fishing camps and zoned fishing parameters that will allow for territorial use rights for fishing (TURFs). The allocation of TURFs ensures that legal fishers receive exclusive privileges to fish in a specified area. TURFs are allocated to groups of fishermen, otherwise known as cooperatives. Ownership of fishing rights incentivizes fishers to use natural resources sustainably. The idea is to incorporate and involve local communities at every level of the operation through education, outreach, and training.
A wooden rig loaded with fishing essentials
Lives and livelihoods depend on diminishing catch numbers
Conservation for Future Sustainability
Operation Save Cahora Bassa will help build a sustainable artisanal fishing community that will serve as a blueprint for the development, management, and longevity of other Mozambican industries, including kapenta fishery, aquaculture, recreational fishing, and tourism. Strict regulation is vital in ensuring that industries in Mozambique are economically viable while being sustainable. For local communities to thrive, natural resources should be conserved and utilized sustainably.
