What is this I hear you ask ?
Well, it is a group of people that have decided that something needs to be done, in regard to the illegal netting and poaching of Fish in Zimbabwe, especially in Kariba, where our illustrious Tiger Fish are being decimated.
The loss of this Fresh water Game fish will certainly not do our tourism any good, whether it is local or foreign tourism.
Meetings have held with the Minister, and the head of National Parks, and thus far the outlook is very good and the moves have been welcomed by the various bodies involved.
This body of people has been formed directly under the Minister in conjunction with National Parks.

What are you going to do ?
The aim and objectives of the ZCTF is to assist National Parks to carry out their job more effectively, especially in the role of patrols and Anti poaching activities, and report directly to the Minister.
Where possible, and accepted, advice or help will be provided in other areas, in order to try and get their activities in order.

Who is Involved in the ZCTF ?
At the present time the elected committee is made up of individual persons with three automatic positions for the following :-
    a)Department of National Parks and Wildlife
    b)Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and
    c)Environment 2000.
Three other Associations or National Bodies have still to be elected to the Committee, which will form a full complement of 10 persons.
Other Associations or bodies are welcome to become members of the Task Force, and attend general meetings with their proposals for the various projects required and contribute, both technically and financially.

What do you need ?
Well isn't that a leading question?. Anything and everything that will help in our efforts to reduce Fish poaching.
Start with :-
        Information on poaching activities,
        Materials,
        Your time,
        Financial support,
        Technical support,
        Advice and helpful information
We will accept almost anything that will help to go towards making this Task Force the success it deserves to be, in the interests of the Conservation of Zimbabwes fish species and other matters.

General Overview of the proceedings thus far
Up to the current time, things have gone remarkably well since the inception of the idea and the outlook is very positive, from all sides.
The initial meeting was held with the head of National Parks and it was decided that the best way to approach this was through the minister.
This subsequently led to a meeting with the Minister, and the Task force concept was adopted, with direct responsibility to the Minister, and with liaison with National Parks.
A proper Committee was to be formed and a constitution written up and a mission statement formed.
An initial General Meeting was held on the 15th March 2001, with as many interested bodies as possible, to elect a Committee, and set up the initial infrastructure, bank account etc.
This has all been done and a bank account is currently being opened for the placement of funds and donations to the Task Force.
Initial investigations have been made in regard to the state of the National Parks equipment (Boats and motors etc), and also in regard to the poaching activities and problems on the lake (Kariba - Map Page).
These reports can be found on the reports page.

The main impetus normally required over the the breeding season, (during the rains when the rivers are flowing) for this season (2000/2001) has been missed, but some fish are still trying to spawn and these stocks are being decimated prior to them being able to spawn, thus potentially destroying the next years young fish (2001/2002).