The FAO-GEF project “Building climate change resilience in the fisheries sector in Malawi” (FiRM) invests into building resilience in the fisheries sector of southern Lake Malawi and Lake Malombe. Lake Malombe, south of Lake Malawi and connected through the Upper Shire River, is considered a heavily overfished ecosystem. With the additional pressures that climate change poses on local communities, addressing fisheries related issues in and around Lake Malombe is crucial. Recognizing the importance of fish in the diet of the people of Malawi and for the Malawian economy as well as the decrease in fish stocks due to non-sustainable fishing practices and climate change, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DoF) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development is implementing FiRM, a USD 5.4 million project funded through the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

FiRM aims to build resilience of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Malawi to climate change. A key Outcome under this goal is the restoration of fish stocks and habitats in Lake Malombe. This will be achieved by improved fishery management and enhancement activities, and potentially by pilot-scale restocking. Our lab provides essential technical and capacity building assistance to the project. Capacity building in fisheries enhancement will be provided to Department of Fisheries, in particular the Monkey Bay and Senga Bay Fisheries Research Units (FRU), Malawi College of Fisheries (MCF) and National Aquaculture Centre (NAC).

The Key Outputs of this project will include:

A comprehensive fisheries system analysis of Lake Malombe that will inform the GEF Project “Building climate change resilience in the fisheries sector in Malawi”.

Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the potential for fisheries enhancement to contribute to sustainable development of the Lake Malombe fishery

Engagement of stakeholders and development of a decision-making process for fisheries enhancement.

Support for the design of specific fisheries enhancement activities (pilot restocking of Lake Malombe with tilapiine spp. and/or natural/artificial structures for habitat enhancement and/or prevention of destructive fishing, e.g. artificial reefs, expanded fish sanctuaries etc.).