Lake Malawi, which is renowned for its 900 unique species of fish,
is on the verge of losing the Chambo due to overfishing.
(This is an update of an article published by the same author in ANB-BIA 15/2/2000, number 384)
http://www.peacelink.it/anb-bia/nr384.htmlFish provides the main source of protein consumption, but fisheries experts say the chambo (tilapia), which comprises two-thirds of the 700 species, can no longer be found in Lake Malombe, south of Lake Malawi, which has long been associated with large catches of the Chambo.
A programme known as «Save the Chambo Awareness Campaign» has been launched at Mpemba fishing beach in Chief Mponda’s area, Mangochi District. Under the «Save the Chambo Campaign», 1,500 fingerlings were released into Lake Malawi and 5,000 others reintroduced into Lake Malombe. These were raised at the National Aquaculture Centre at Domasi in Zomba. The campaign targets all main Chambo catchment areas along the major landing shores in Mangochi, in the south, Salima and Nkhotakota in the central region and Nkhata Bay in the north.
According to official figures, catches of Chambo started dwindling from 1993 onwards.
Estimated production for Lake Malombe (malombe.html)
Why are the fish disappearing? — Although the officials attribute the reduction in Chambo catches to overfishing, the use of wrong fishing gear and flouting of restricted fish breeding areas, they admit that natural factors also play a part in the decline. Four years ago, an ecological disaster threatened the extinction of the rare fish species on the lake. Large numbers of fish had been dying mysteriously that year.
Two factors were identified: The first being an accumulation of toxic compounds in the lake; the second was described as «the natural process».
Scientists had been working around the clock together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs, to look for possible answers to the reasons why the Chambo is fast disappearing. Efforts are also being made through the Southern Africa Development Community/Global Environment Facility
(SADC/GEF), Malawi Nyassa Biodiversity Conservation Project, to conserve the lake, which was designated as an international marine life conservation centre by UNESCO in view of the unique fish species which, according to the officials, do not exist anywhere else in the world. Most of the work of the biodiversity conservation efforts is being conducted at Cape Maclear.Malawi, as a member of the 14-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) is responsible for coordinating inland fisheries plus forestry and wildlife. The principal aim of the SADC/GEF project is to improve the ecosystems of Lake Malawi and the other African great lakes, including Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria.
According to Dr Tonny Ribbink who pioneered the research programme, priority is given to the food species which are of vital importance in ensuring the local population have sufficient food. It is necessary to strike a balance between human population growth and conservation efforts. Of equal importance to the conservationists are the ornamental Mbuna, a rare species that comes in different colours and breeds around the 13 islands that form the Lake Malawi National Park. The 13 islands together cover 94 square kilometres.
The SADC/GEF Lake Malawi/Nyassa Biodiversity project started in 1995. Dr Ribbink says: «We aim to educate the communities in the fish conservation zones. While it is customary to catch big fish, the best way we can preserve our heritage is to conserve the treasured lake».
- Hamilton Vokhiwa, Malawi, August 2003 — © Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment