Illegal Mosquito Net Fishing Threatens Fish Stocks in Lake Malawi
Stakeholders agree that collaboration between authorities, environmental groups, and communities offers the best hope.
NKHOTAKOTA, Malawi — On the shores of Lake Malawi in Nkhotakota district, where sunsets paint the sky in vibrant hues, a disturbing practise has taken hold- the illegal use of mosquito nets for fishing, writes Fletcher Chiponda.
For generations, fishermen have relied on nets to harvest the abundant fish that sustain their communities. But now some nets are being used to prey on the very resources of the lake.
During visits to fishing docks in the district, there was a heavy presence of illegal mosquito net fishing.
"This is God's creation, and for many years these fishermen have used nets, but we still have a lot of fish," said resident Makswell Dejani.
"Unless something changes, this will continue."
While laws give authorities power to regulate fishing methods and gear, enforcement has been difficult due to limited resources for patrols, according to Nkhotakota District Fisheries Officer Charles Mandala.
Environmental activists have joined local condemnation.
"If this continues unchecked, our development goals and Agenda 2063 on sustainability will be hard to fulfil," said Matthews Malata of Save the Future Foundation.
It is imperative that authorities and environmental groups collaborate to combat illegal net fishing through strengthened enforcement, outreach, and alternative livelihoods — to protect the delicate balance of the lake ecosystem for future generations.
Authorities have acknowledged the challenges of effective enforcement with limited budgets for regular patrols.
"One patrol costs us a whole month's allocation, so it's tough to do them often," said Mandala.
While some blame is placed on hospitals for the availability of mosquito nets, Nkhotakota District Hospital spokesperson Garry Chilinga firmly denied any involvement.
"As a hospital, we have never had reports of our staff taking nets for fishing. What we know is the availability at docks," he said.
Chilinga warned that fewer people using nets for protection could increase malaria cases, which have historically plagued the district.
Indoor spraying campaigns are helping reduce cases, but net usage must continue, he stressed.
Environmental activist Malata fears that, without intervention, overfishing will drive some species to extinction.
"Fishermen now have to go deeper, and they rarely return with more than 400 fish, compared to catches of 3,000 fish in the past," he said.
"This shows the stocks are declining rapidly."
Save the Future's Executive Director, Maloto Chinkombero, agreed that urgent action is needed.
"If the situation remains, we will lose all of our precious fish. The broken systems in the fisheries department are allowing this problem to grow," he warned.
Stakeholders agree that collaboration between authorities, environmental groups, and communities offers the best hope.
But without sufficient political will and resources, the sustainability of Lake Malawi's bountiful resources remains in peril.