Monkey Bay Capture Fisheries Research Centre principal officer Salim M’balaka has commended the Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Watershed Management (SFAD-WM) Project for complementing their efforts to sustain the fisheries sector.
Speaking on Wednesday during a visit to the centre under the Department of Fisheries in Mangochi to appreciate SFAD-WM’s interventions, he said the financial and technical support from the project has enabled them to do thorough fisheries research and development and watershed and management activities.
Said M’balaka: “These are key to policy formation and sustainable practices that protect the environment and benefit communities.
“We did a ndunduma fish monitoring survey that led to the introduction of a closed season for commercial fishers to spur production, including mapping and monitoring of community-owned fish sanctuaries. We also developed fish quality standards currently being used by the Malawi Bureau of Standards.”
The centre’s research officer James Banda said the project has also enhanced their capacity and asset accumulation.
He said: “We conducted a crucial chambo fish stock assessment through shallow water fish biomass survey.
“We recruited six people on internship and bought a research boat and cold-chain facilities such as centrifuge, incubator, -25degrees Celcius refrigerator and ordinary refrigerator.”
The department’s senior deputy director Jacqueline Kazembe said the centre contributes to understanding and conservation of Lake Malawi’s environment for improved incomes of fishers and aquaculture farmers
