Poachers decimate Swakoppoort fish
Around seven tonnes of dried fish are believed to be removed out of the dam every week.
The poaching of fish at the Swakoppoort Dam by squatters who catch with illegal nets threatens to wipe out the fish population.During a police action four weeks ago by officers from Walvis Bay, the Ministry of Fisheries and anti-poaching units, 35 tons of dried fish and 250 nets were removed and burned within two days.
Thirty-five people were arrested, including foreigners from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others.
According to an informed source who was involved in the first operation against the illegal poachers in 2017, seven men were caught at the time. “There were also 15 women who were catching fish with handlines for their livelihood, but they do no harm. They fished to keep their children in school and two of them even put their children through university that way. Then the men came with the illegal ‘gill nets’ and things got out of hand.”
According to the source, in the last few years, at least one ton of wet fish and seven tons of dry fish per week have been driven away from the dam. Every week he removes an average of 100 nets and 100 lines along with 40 hooks from the water.
“One of those large sugar bags takes around 1 200 dry carp which, depending on the size, are sold at a minimum of N$20 per fish. We seized seven such bags from one man. Do the math - it's not fishing for survival. It’s a lot of money and a big business with a lot of people involved.”
According to SJ of the Otjozondjupa region’s anti-poaching unit, the dam and its surrounds cover an area of around 3 400 hectares. “In that area, between 100 and 80 camps have been set up that house the poachers. Each camp has between ten and 15 residents.”
Drownings reported
Some of the poachers have large pieces of foamalite on which they row across the dam with the nets to fish. This year alone, four men have already drowned.
“They catch everything in the nets. Even if the fish is still alive and you can get it out of the net, it will die because it has already injured its gills. The fish are then gutted and the scales removed and dried on drying racks. Then it is packed in bags and placed by the roadside. A vehicle comes and loads the bags and takes it away.”
Both SJ and the source say drivers in Namwater bakkies regularly load fish and drive out. “I have photos of a bakkie that stopped us that was loaded with fish. The same bakkie was here again last week at the dam and left with fish. We have already reported this to NamWater and they promised to investigate. Yesterday before 09:00 three Namwater vans entered the dam and drove all the way to the back of the big camp.”
Access to the dam is restricted, and the two gates on the main road remain locked. “The key must be obtained from the NamWater office in Okahandja.”
The other entrance is through the resettlement farms at Klein Barmen. This gate is also supposed to be locked. “So, either the man in charge of the key gets paid for opening and closing, or he gets paid for leaving the gate open.”
It is not only fish that is poached; wild animals are also caught in wire snares.
“I have removed around 20 000 wire snares in the years I have been here. There is not a single animal left here anymore. There were 20 waterbuck; the last one was chased into the mud with dogs during the drought and shot dead there.”
NamWater reacts
In response to questions directed to NamWater, the following statement was issued:
“NamWater is aware of the issue regarding the illegal activities at the Swakoppoort Dam, and it is a top priority.
“In 2020, the Swakoppoort Dam's illegal activities were dealt with as part of a consortium led by NamWater, Nampol and the Ministry of the Environment and Tourism. It's an ongoing matter.
“After learning of the new developments, the consortium organised an emergency meeting for Wednesday (today). The aim will be to evaluate the situation on the ground. After this, a consultative meeting will be held with the farmers where a discussion will be made regarding an operation to control and reduce illegal activities and about the immediate measures that will be in place.
“In addition, NamWater takes note of the complaints of the alleged illegal activities involving NamWater vehicles. To deal with these concerns, an internal investigation has been launched.
“In response to the unauthorized access, NamWater would like to assure the farmers that access to the property is controlled by security measures. Strict measures have been put in place, such as ensuring that the gates remain locked at all times and the keys are kept at the NamWater offices.
“Permission is only granted to authorised individuals. We view the current scenario as criminal and law enforcement must be involved to hold accountable those responsible for these actions.”