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The previous article mentioned the worrying situation in the Kamandi-Lac fishery, in North Kivu, where twenty-six fishing canoes have already been seized by the eco-guards of the Virunga National Park. This seizure of canoes and the fines imposed on fishermen aroused the indignation of local civil society.
According to the president of Kamandi-Lac civil society, Samy Saakumi, the eco-guards of Virunga National Park stop the canoes and demand fines of up to 350,000 Congolese francs per fisherman to release them. This situation is all the more worrying as these fines are imposed even on legal fishermen who are not involved in illegal fishing.
Samy Saakumi also denounces the behavior of eco-guards from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), saying that they seize canoes, arrest fishermen and farmers, and destroy fields. He accuses the ICCN of wanting the local population to suffer while bringing the land boundary conflict between the park and the community into the exploitation of the lake.
ICCN’s reaction to these accusations has not yet been obtained, but it is important to emphasize the importance of preserving natural resources while respecting the rights of local communities. It is essential to find a balance between the conservation of biodiversity and support for the economic activities of local populations.
It is therefore essential that the government intervenes in this situation to find a fair and lasting solution for all parties concerned. Environmental protection should not come at the expense of local people’s livelihoods, but rather by promoting sustainable fishing practices and involving communities in the management of natural resources.
In conclusion, the seizure of fishing canoes in the Kamandi-Lac fishery raises concerns about respect for the rights of fishermen and the management of natural resources. It is necessary for the relevant authorities to take measures to resolve this conflict and explore solutions that promote harmonious coexistence between biodiversity conservation and the economic activities of local communities.