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Government has announced that it would lift the annual fishing ban on Lake Tanganyika effective June 25, 2026, to allow the second round of the Catch Assessment Survey and kick off a review of the ban program after three years of implementation.
According to an internal memo from the Director, Department of Fisheries, dated 23rd June 2026, the Catch Assessment Survey is fishery-dependent and can only be successfully conducted when fishers are actively operating.
The decision was communicated in a confidential letter dated June, 22, 2026 written by Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary, Dr. Max Choombe, and addressed to Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa.
The lifting of the ban marks the start of a program review process that would assess the effectiveness of the ban in supporting fish stock recovery, compliance levels among fishing communities, socio-economic impacts on households, and opportunities for strengthening monitoring, control and surveillance.
In his letter to Cabinet, Choombe confirmed the effective date of the change, stating that the upcoming CAS was scheduled for July 2026 during the cold-dry season.
“The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock is officially lifting the annual fishing ban on Lake Tanganyika effective June 25, 2026,” he wrote.
Choombe said the Department of Fisheries would administer a data collection tool during the CAS, targeting riparian fishing communities.
Read More: Zambia enforces annual fishing ban to protect aquatic resources
He said stakeholder consultations with fishing communities, local authorities, civil society organizations, and community members were planned during the review period.
“All fishers will be required to operate with valid licenses and permits, adhere to gear restrictions and size limits, avoid illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices, and cooperate with monitoring teams during inspections,” Choombe stated.
He indicated that the Ministry would publish a review report with recommendations for future fishing closures on Lake Tanganyika, enforcement measures, and community support programs.
“Fishing activities may now resume in accordance with existing regulations and licensing requirements,” Choombe stated.
The Permanent Secretary’s letter was copied to the Acting PS, Provincial Administration Northern Province, District Commissioners and Council Secretaries for Mpulungu and Nsama Districts, and the Director of Fisheries, Chilanga district.
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