Fish production can spur economic growth in Malawi – Experts

Pundits of fishery have observed that increase in fish production can boost the socio-economic status of the country if the citizenry can abide to principles of the fishing.

Dr Sloans Chimatiro, Programme Manager of World Fish, said this recently in Mangochi during a three-day long conference Great Lakes of the World (GLOW) organized.

The gathering saw fishing experts from Malawi and outside the country brainstorming on pertinent issues fishing contributes to economic status of the country.

“If a country increases fish production, there is likelihood of improved variety of fish which will aid Malawians having a variety in their business setting. That is one way of generating economic platform for its entrepreneurs and the country as a whole. That said, fish has high value of protein which is beneficial to human bodies,” said Chimatiro.

“Inevitably, fishermen are bound to gain substantial-economic benefits from the adoption of this improved variety,” he added.

Chimatiro, however, bemoaned the dwindling level in high fish stocks due to over-fishing as well as effects of climate change saying they cripple the country from having prominent species such as Chambo and Kampango.

In his remarks, Director of Fishery in the Department of Fisheries, Alexander Bulirani concurred with Chimatiro saying increased fish production has potential to the economy of the country as it creates employment within the expanded aquaculture sector and possible exchange earnings in the long term.

Glow is an annual conference where representatives of countries of major lakes of the world convene to showcase and discuss experiences and challenges fishing experts from these countries face in a quest to improve high value stocks of fish.

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