DELICAY REBOUND - Mangochi residents thrilled by Chambo resurgence
Previous chambo strategy focused on focusing sanctuaries or protected areas to be established to preserve important Chambo breeding and nursery grounds.
MANGOCHI, Malawi (Planet Defence) - Authorities in the lakeshore district of Mangochi are thrilled by the news that chambo fish, once a rare species in Lake Malawi, can now be found in abundance writes Elijah Katantha.
This exciting development was revealed at Malembo Beach, where representatives from the District Fisheries Office, REFRESH Project, Beach Village Committee (BVC), traditional leaders including Senior Chief Namkumba, gathered to celebrate the positive outcome of chambo fish recovery. They also discussed strategies for sustainably managing fisheries resources in the lake.
During a meeting focused on the production of a Chambo recovery documentary, Senior Chief Namkumba, also a Champion for Fisheries Conservation, credited the resurgence of chambo fish to the efforts of BVCs in enforcing fisheries laws and regulations. This collaboration with chiefs and local structures such as Village Development Committee (VDC), community police forums, and fishermen has played a crucial role in conserving fisheries biodiversity in the area. Senior Chief Namkumba remarked, "As you travel on the Mangochi-Golomoti Road, you can see a lot of chambo fish being sold by fish traders, which indicates the successful recovery of chambo fish."
He commended the BVC members and the Department of Fisheries for their exemplary work. He also expressed gratitude to the REFRESH Project, implemented by Pact Malawi and the Community Initiative for Self-Reliance (CISER), for empowering the committee through capacity building in fisheries conservation.
Neverson Msusa, the District Fisheries Officer (DFO) for Mangochi, extended his appreciation to the members for their diligent efforts in managing the fish sanctuary. He highlighted activities such as conducting patrols and confiscating illegal fishing gears, which he attributed to the significant recovery of chambo fish.
The revival of chambo fish population is supported by the results of the 2023 Biomas Trawl Survey, which estimates the number of fish species in Lake Malawi, their abundance, and distribution. This success is credited to the establishment and management of community-led fish sanctuaries and ongoing enforcement activities by BVCs.
The REFRESH Project, funded by USAID and implemented by Pact Malawi, is executed by CISER in Mangochi district.