No doubt you will have seen the term BVC in relation to our fish conservation project but what do the letters stand for?
BVC is a Beach Village Committee, groups of 11 people who volunteer to educate their local community on how to fish more sustainably and protect fish breeding areas to improve fish stocks in their part of Lake Malawi.
Peter Muyaya and Elifa Mpeyama are the Chair and Secretary at Chitontho breeding area on Chitipi beach.
Peter said, “We are very proud of what we do as a team. We have confiscated seven large mosquito nets and chased away others fishing illegally in the fish breeding area. They have not returned.”
Elifa continued, “Fish stocks have been affected because of fishermen using the wrong type of nets but we are working with the community to overcome this problem. As a BVC there is always someone on patrol and although we still have a few problems with some fishermen, we know the fish stocks are slowly beginning to improve.”
