Shurugwi Town Council (Fishing) By-laws 2025

These by-laws control fishing in any dam or water source in the Shurugwi Town Council area.

Written council permission is required, applied for separately for each dam. Permission may be refused where more permits would deplete the fish population, where the council doubts the applicant will avoid disturbing the peace or the local flora and fauna, or where the applicant has previously breached the by-laws — with reasons given on request and a right of appeal to the council. Permission may be revoked after notice and an opportunity to be heard.

The council may fix closed seasons by newspaper notice, generally or by species, after consulting National Parks where the water is controlled under the Parks and Wildlife Act.

Tackle is restricted to a rod or hand-line with at most three single hooks, or one lure with at most three single, double or treble hooks, no more than two rods at a time, and no nets exceeding 2 000 metres. Commercial aquaculture requires registration with the council. A police officer, council employee or authorised agent may require a person near a dam to identify themselves, prove permission and produce fish and tackle for inspection.

Fees are US$10 to apply, US$50 a quarter for the permit and US$36,44 to register aquaculture activities. Penalties are US$50 for fishing without a permit and for unregistered aquaculture, US$30 for fishing in a closed season, and US$10 each for prohibited tackle and failing to produce documents or fish to an authorised officer.

Shurugwi's quarterly permit at US$50 is five times the City of Masvingo's US$10 for the same period.