Refresh brings hope to fisheries

As Malawi grapples with the unprecedented rise of its largest lake, the nation is reminded that the natural assets have to be managed carefully.

This also applies to what is in the lakes, including the fish that nourishes the economy and people of Malawi.

Fish is an important source of protein and essential nutrients for many people in Malawi.

The fisheries sector also contributes significantly to the country’s economy, providing employment opportunities, income and livelihoods for a large portion of the country’s population, particularly in lakeshore communities.

But only through sustainable fisheries can the long-term viability of these economic activities benefit both individuals and the nation.

Sustainable fisheries play a crucial role in achieving long-term socioeconomic and environmental goals.

Good fisheries management is also essential for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems and the biodiversity they support.

Healthy fish populations and habitats not only support fisheries but also contribute to ecosystem services such as water purification and flood control.

In short, sustainable fisheries management helps to ensure the availability of fish for current and future generations, contributing to food security and improved nutrition in the country.

At a time when climate change poses challenges to fisheries worldwide, sustainable fisheries management practices can help build resilience to climate change impacts by promoting adaptive strategies, biodiversity conservation and sustainable fishing practices that reduce pressure on fish stocks and habitats.

Until recently, fisheries have largely been managed independent of the ecosystems where  they exist.

There has been little or no integration into the country’s development planning, limited resource allocation and weak compliance and enforcement. 

As the population grows, increasing demands for fish have resulted in rising prices, declining catches and decreasing food security, with negative impacts on fisheries-dependent populations.

The arrival about five years ago of Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Livelihoods in Lake Malawi (Refresh) marked a significant turning point, helping to change the outlook for sustainable fishing practices.

Refresh is a USaid-funded project whose implementation started on October 1 2019 and will continue to September 30 2024.

Its mission is to conserve the freshwater biodiversity of Lake Malawi by restoring the natural fisheries productivity in the lakeshore districts of Karonga, Rumphi, Likoma, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Salima, Dedza and Mangochi.

Since its inception, Refresh interventions have centred on enhancing fisheries regulatory frameworks, integration of science, decentralisation, sustainable financing, partnerships and alliances to scale up ecosystem-based fisheries management and effective alternative livelihoods for fisheries- dependent communities.

Refresh works in partnership with the US-based Private Agencies Cooperating Together (Pact), which seeks to coordinate its members to better serve the world’s most disadvantaged people by building their self-help capacity.

In Malawi, Pact co- implements Refresh interventions with the Department of Fisheries through district fisheries offices to ensure cost-effectiveness and reinforce local ownership.

Regarding regulatory frameworks, one of Refresh’s strategic approach leads, Dr Dick Kachilonda says there is progress made so far.

“Strategic approach one involves the strengthening of fisheries governance policies,” he says. “On this, we work with other stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Justice and the relevant parliamentary committee.”

Kachilonda said the drafting of a national fisheries policy had already been completed and expressed the hope that the parliamentary committee would speed up the legislative process.

While concurring, Refresh chief of party Dr Daniel Jamu laments the delays in the legislative process.

“We’ve made good progress in some areas, but in others things are moving too slowly,” he observes.

Jamu further cites technical and managerial capacity challenges at the Department of Fisheries which he says were affecting the department’s ability to engage with the Ministry of Finance. and Economic Affairs