Global News - April 2008

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Zimbabwe's economic situation 'forces people into poaching'

Wed 30 April 2008 16:30 UK — Africa,Marine Wildlife

The economic situation in Zimbabwe is forcing people to turn to poaching to support themselves, a new report has warned.

Local newspaper the Zimbabwe Guardian reported that poaching for fish is rife in the Binga district of the country.

It said that fishermen were responding to demand created by the unfeasibly high price of meat and illegally killing rare fish such as breams, kapenta, bottlefish and tigerfish.

The newspaper explained that people from as far away as Bulawayo were travelling to the area to buy the illegal catch and then resell it in the cities for a profit.

Fishmonger Jane Rambu explained to the paper that the country's economic situation was fuelling the demand for the poached fish.

"Fish meat is selling like hot cakes in Bulawayo. Right now I have orders from hotels, schools and individuals. My problem is transport. Transport here is a big problem," she explained.

Binga rural district councillor Titus Moyo blamed foreigners for the problem.

"Poaching by foreigners is very prevalent, especially during holidays. It is very difficult to monitor the poachers because there is a ready market for the fish. If you go to the river right now, you will see lots of people who want to buy the fish," he told the paper.

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