Fishing in Malawi. Image credit originaltravel.co.uk

ZIMSEC O Level Geography Notes: Natural Resources: Fishing: Fishing in Malawi

  • Malawi is one of the most important inland fish producers in the SADC region.
  • Malawi has been given the responsibility to co-ordinate inland fisheries, forestry and wildlife within the SADC region.
  • Malawi’s fisheries include Lake Malawi, Malombe, Chilwa and Chiuta.

Fishing grounds

  • Major fishing grounds lie on the western shores of Lake Malawi stretching from near Livingstonia to Nkota Kota, Likoma island, the southern part of Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe, Lake Chilwa, Lake Mangochi and the swamps of Lake Chiuta.
  • Much of Malawi’s commercial catch comes from these areas.
  • Salima and the lower reaches of the Shire River in the swamps around Nsanje are also important fishing grounds, the latter sustaining an important subsistence fishing sector.

Types of fish

  • Main species of fish caught in Malawi are the bream (chambo), nchila, catfish (mlamba), utaka and usipa.
  • Chambo (bream), the main commercial breed is mainly found in the shallow waters of southern Lake Malawi, as well as the swamps of Lake Chiuta, Malombe and Chilwa.
  • Lake Chilwa is also popular for its mlamba and matemba (sardines).

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page