Introduction of new fish species for improved aquaculture production in Malawi: policy implications for fish biodiversity preservation and management

Abstract

Malawi - a country in southern Africa is endowed with vast natural resources. Among these, is Lake Malawi, the 8th and 3rd largest lake in the world and Africa respectively. It is by far the only lake in the world with highest fish species biodiversity - around a thousand. The country's policy therefore prohibits introduction of exotic species to protect the endemic species. However, fish catches in Lake Malawi have tremendously declined due to increasing and unabated fishing pressure resulting into inadequate availability of fish on the market. Aquaculture now appears to be a viable alternative to supplement fish to the capture fishery. Development of aquaculture nevertheless has many challenges chiefly the slow growing and small size indigenous species. Research efforts to improve its growth appear far from convincing and farmers are frustrated. Ironically, exotic fish species are grown in all countries that make the catchment of Lake Malawi - Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. This paper therefore attempts to solicit views from experts, fisheries scientists etc in Brisbane by posing questions like: Is it worth banning introduction of exotic fish species when the same is raised in the catchment of the lake? Are there any environmentally friendly aquaculture species that can be allowed into Malawi without posing a potential threat to the fish species biodiversity?