By John Dawes

A French report states that Lake Malawi’s cichlid species are facing serious threats from overfishing, mostly for food purposes, not ornamental ones. (Photo courtesy of John Dawes)

According to a French report (sourced via www.lagrandeepoque.com), the number of fishermen working Lake Malawi, located in the East African Rift valley system, has risen by 124 percent in the past decade, bringing the total number of fishermen and associated industries to a staggering 40,000.

The news makes disturbing reading for the ornamental aquatic sector, which could see a decrease in the range (and numbers) of wild-caught cichlids from Lake Malawi in the future. One of the reasons for this potential decrease is that, despite the rise in the fisherman population, the vast majority are food-fish gatherers, rather than ornamental-fish collectors.

It’s not just the range of species that is likely to be affected, either; the size of specimens could also decrease. The report says, for example, that fish of a decent size and in sufficient quantities could be collected to feed families and for sale, but this is no longer the case. Harvests are insufficient even to cater to families’ needs.

There are about 500 fish species in the lake, 95 percent of which are endemic. Of those 500, no fewer than 345 of the approximate 350 cichlids described to date are also endemic. Loss of any of these would constitute a disaster.

On the bright side, many Lake Malawi cichlids are now bred commercially in many countries and regions, with Florida perhaps being the main center of such activity, along with Asia and the Middle East. The downside is many of these captive-bred species are no longer being produced in their original wild form, but as cultured varieties or morphs. Consequently, the original genotypes of some species and wild-occurring morphs may no longer be available should wild stocks disappear and restocking from cultured fish be deemed desirable or necessary.

Further, there are no signs that this serious matter is being addressed directly at the UNESCO (United Nations ¬Educational, Scientific and ¬Cultural Organization) World Heritage Centre (whc.unesco.org). According to Friday Nyaga, one of the officials of the Ministry of Fisheries of Lake Malombe (the southern extension of Lake Malawi), “The fisheries are a resource, which is open to everyone, and no limit has been imposed with regard to the number of people who can fish in the lake.” <HOME>

John Dawes is an international authority on fish, aquariums and outdoor fishkeeping.