Kariba Bureau
THE fishing industry here is teetering on the brink of collapse, with some players contemplating pulling out because of low catches, price instability and high operating costs.

Compounded by unreliable fuel supplies and other challenges, the prices of kapenta and tilapia fish have gone up with fishermen demanding United States dollars only.

The US dollar prices continue to rise, a development attributed to increased demand for fish.

A kilogramme of fish is now being sold for US$1,50 at the fishing camps and for anything between US$2 and $5 on the market depending on distance and related operating costs.

The price at fishing camps such as Ndomo, Gache Gache and Nyaodza was around US$0,50 a kg at the beginning of 2019 before going up to between US$0,70 and US$1 early this year.

Gache Gache Fishers Association chairperson Mr Tichaona Manzungu attributed the increase in fish prices to inflation.

“The price of fish here is now US$1,50 per kg. This is because of the increase in prices elsewhere and also the weakening local currency.

“It is very difficult to catch the fish these days because we are now in winter but the challenge has been with us for some time,” said Mr Manzungu.

He said buyers from as far as Harare were placing higher bids for fish, driving prices up.

Kapenta fishermen have not been spared.

Mr Eddie Chirayi, who operates kapenta rigs, said catches were low and the new prices of kapenta at around US$5 per kg would prove unsustainable in the long run.

“Catches are very low. Erratic supplies of diesel are affecting us as well and people are forced to buy the fuel in Chirundu or Karoi,” he  said.

Mr Chirayi said he was now selling some of his rigs.