The Challenges and Potential of Fisheries Co-management in Malawi: Case of Lake Malombe Participatory Fisheries Management Programme
By Friday Njaya
ABSTRACT
Fish resource management system in Malawi has undergone changes since late 1880s after the British colonial rule. The conventional centralised system of fisheries management was introduced by the state through a mandated Fisheries Department, taking over the whole responsibility of controlling the fisheries resources from the traditional powers. The major focus at that time was on fisheries development whereby technologies on fishing methods, fishing gears and craft were introduced to exploit the fisheries resources. However, some changes have been noted such as increase in the population of the country, environmental degradation, inadequate resources for the enforcement of fisheries regulations and declining in catch levels of Oreochromis spp. in the southern Lake Malawi, Upper Shire River and Lake Malombe. Consequently the decline in fish landings of Oreochromis spp and Haplochromis spp. in
Lake Malombe necessitated an introduction of a system that would facilitate rehabilitation of the collapsed fisheries and where possible sustain a level of catches realised around 1980s. A pilot fisheries management programme was proposed and has been implemented since 1993. This is a 'co-management' arrangement whereby fishers and the Fisheries Department are considered key partners and jointly make decisions after consultations. However, there are some uncertainties especially as both partners have different expectations. This paper therefore highlights the challenges experienced by the PFMP and proposes a way forward for further improvement.
KEYWORDS: Co-management; Malawi; Fisheries; Participatory; Traditional System, Centralised System
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