Biomass Survey Seeks to Beat Fishing Season Opening
The Department of Fisheries-led assessment started on October 28th jointly with Mozambique's Oceanographic Institute.
Nkhotakota, Malawi-Malawi fisheries authorities are racing to complete this year's Lake Malawi biomass survey before the annual fishing season begins on on December 1st, writes Hope Nyondo.
The Department of Fisheries-led assessment started on October 28th jointly with Mozambique's Oceanographic Institute.
It supplements trawling with hydroacoustic scanning to gauge fish stocks and water quality across seven districts.
Principal Fisheries Officer Salim M'balaka, survey team leader, said Wednesday the data informs policymaking and stock restoration efforts. Officials allocate fishing licenses based on surveyed biomass levels.
"The survey is targeting Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Metangula, Salima, Dedza and Mangochi districts," M'balaka said from the Monkey Bay research station.
He added that it's unique for incorporating regional partners.
With the season's opening weeks away, M'balaka vowed to ensure completion by November 30th despite fuel shortages hampering operations.
The collaborative endeavour assembles experts from the Fisheries and Oceanography departments at Malawi University of Science and Technology and elsewhere.
It examines species distribution and abundance alongside capturing key metrics on water quality and temperature.
As Malawians depend heavily on the lake for nutrition and livelihood, periodic assessments are crucial for managing stocks and production sustainability.
M'balaka applauded beach committees across the shoreline for embracing survey teams and facilitating access. Their participation enables accurate, up-to-date data.
Multiple donors back the initiative, including USAID, the UK-based University of Cambridge and Malawi's Department for International Development watershed project.
Local nonprofit Refresh assists too, technician Elijah Katantha said, because "we are interested in protecting aquatic species."
Katantha noted Lake Malawi's exceptional biodiversity -- more fish species than any freshwater body globally -- deserves strong safeguarding.
Officials plan to identify actions to rehabilitate declining catches by analyzing survey findings on tilapia, chambo, mangongo and other critical food sources.
With the lake's outsize economic role, the biomass survey provides an annual health check enabling authorities to balance productivity and conservation.
M'balaka said the joint effort also strengthens regional ties and exchanges with Mozambique to better manage shared waters.
Additionally, the survey facilitates monitoring ecosystem changes related to climate and human activity. Detecting any warning signs allows quicker intervention.
As the season's opening nears, survey crews are working intensely to deliver insights that determine 2023's sustainable catch limits across Lake Malawi.
Local livelihoods hinge on completing their essential task on time.