The Demand for Fish Products in Malawi: An Almost Ideal Demand System Estimation

The study analyzed the demand for fish products and the factors that affect the consumption of various fish products in Malawi. Considering four fish products, namely dried fish, smoked fish, fresh fish and tinned fish, the study employed a multivariate probit model and an Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) model to analyze factors affecting consumption and demand for fish products respectively. Results indicate that consumption of various fish products in Malawi is affected by age, education, gender, marital status, area of residence (Urban versus rural), distance to nearest market, household annual expenditure and occupation of the household head. With regard to demand for fish products, the study found that the demand for dried fish, smoked fish, fresh fish and tinned fish is inelastic and the various fish products were found to be substitutes. It was also noticed that households would increase their expenditure on fish products if their income increases. The results are an important step in designing policies that will increase fish production and ultimately increase fish consumption. The results also show the importance of value chain development by, among others, building the capacity of the fish processors in order to help them better respond to the market and consumer needs. Keywords: Multivariate probit, Fish, Consumption, AIDS model, Deman

The biophysical dynamics of the Lower Shire River Floodplain fisheries in Malawi

Fishes of African floodplains typically comprise populations having short life cycles, relatively few age groups, more generalised feeding behaviour, and which experience spawning success that is strongly influenced by abiotic factors such as hydrological regime of the river, climatic seasonality and habitat characteristics. In addition, African river-floodplain ecosystems do not have appropriate predictive models for estimating yield in these ecosystems. While most predictive models developed to date for floodplain fisheries have taken into account morpho-edaphic factors, they have generally excluded climatic factors as a mega-determinant of the variability of floodplain fisheries. The principle aim of this thesis has been to develop a predictive management model that incorporates data on essential biological aspects of the target species, characteristics of the habitat as well as overall climatic factors, and thus allow for adaptive management of the fisheries in a continuously fluctuating floodplain environment. Lower Shire Floodplain (34 ⁰ 45’ – 35 ⁰ E and 16 ⁰ 00’-17 ⁰ 15’ S) in Malawi, one of the major rivers-floodplains in the Zambezi Basin, was used to test this type of model. The major hypothesis tested in this study was that “the dynamics of the fishery of Lower Shire Floodplain are driven by and adapted to the seasonal, but predictable, hydro-climatic regime of the floodplain”. The specific objectives were: to describe the floodplain’s climate and hydrological pattern; to develop a quantitative characterisation of the major habitats of the Lower Shire Floodplain; to assess the fishery in terms of size, gear utilisation, gear selectivity and yield; to assess the biological parameters of the target species, necessary for the management of the fishery; to analyse how water fluctuation in the floodplain affects the recruitment and life history of the two target species; and to develop of a predictive hydro-climatic model to benefit the management of the fisheries. The climate of the floodplain was characterised by low (765 ± 198 mm) and fairly variable (Cv = 27%) rainfall, which largely occurred between December and January. The area was generally humid (mean RH 68%), with mild to hot (25- 33ºC) and variable monthly mean diurnal (12ºC) temperature. Four quarterly hydro-climatic seasons were identified and comprised: Quarter 1 (Jul-Sep) characterised by hot, dry weather with a low flood regime; Quarter 2 (Oct-Dec) hot, windy, wet weather with low-but-rising flood regime; Quarter 3 (Jan-Mar) hot humid, wet weather with the flood regime at peak; and Quarter 4 (Apr-Jun) humid and cool weather with receding flood regime. The annual hydrograph of the floodplain was represented by four categories of flood regime as: low (Jul-Sept), low-but-rising (Oct-Dec), peak (Jan- Mar), and falling (Apr-Jun). The floodplain experienced a water deficit of 95.1 mm.year⁻¹, and it was hypothesised that ground water recharge maintained water in the floodplain the rest of the year. Three major habitats were identified in the floodplain. The river-floodplain, characterised by deep fast-flowing water, sandy substrate and little emergent vegetation; the permanently connected lagoons, were shallow (≤ 2 m) with sandymud bottom and slow flowing water; and the seasonally connected lagoons had slowflowing stagnant water, with comparatively more emergent and floating vegetation. Physicochemical characteristics of the habitats varied significantly with hydroclimatic seasons (one-way ANOVA, p ≤ 0.05), indicating the influence of flood regime, which joined the habitats in a non-equilibrial spatial distribution. Consequently, during receding and low flood regimes river-floodplain and permanently connected lagoons exhibited similar characteristics while all three habitats had similar characteristics during the rising and peak flood regimes. It was, therefore, concluded that in floodplains, habitats shift horizontally and vertically according to the water level. Gill nets, cast nets, long line, and fish traps accounted for 99% of the total count of gears, and hence considered the major fishing sectors. Two principal species in the floodplain were the catfish Clarias gariepinus and the cichlid Oreochromis mossambicus. Length-at-maximum-selectivity (ø) and length-at-50%-sexual-maturity (Lm₅₀) for each of the two species showed that although they were selected into the four fishing sectors at lengths above maturity, maximum selectivity into the long line occurred at a length before maturity for O. mossambicus. In addition, the width of the gamma selectivity function (σ) indicated that a considerable proportion of juveniles of the two species were also selected. Therefore, it was decided that management for the floodplain be centred on controlling over-fishing and preserving the spawner stock, by banning seine and mosquito nets, and closing river-floodplain and permanently connected lagoons to fishing during the low flood regime. There were significant seasonal variations in CPUE, lowest in the low flood, and highest during the peak flood regime. Sectioned otoliths were used to determine the age and growth of the two principal species in the floodplain. Marginal zone analysis revealed that annulus formation in all the species occurred during the period of low air and water temperatures, high evaporation and receding water levels, hence a high rate of desiccation and negative water budget. For O. mossambicus, maximum age reached was 6 years while in C. gariepinus it was 9 years. The 3-parameter von Bertalanffy growth model adequately described growth as lt = 177.6(1-e⁻·⁴⁴⁽t ⁺ ¹·⁴³⁾) mm TL for O. mossambicus and lt = 502.9(1-e⁻°·³¹⁽t ⁺ ¹·⁹²⁾) mm TL for C. gariepinus. Female O. mossambicus reached 50%-sexual-maturity at 109 mm SL, while males matured at 105 mm, and both male and female C. gariepinus reached Lm₅₀ at 249 mm SL. The breeding seasons of both O. mossambicus and Clarias gariepinus were between September and March, with modal peaks in January and November, respectively. The annual total mortality rates (Z) were 0.62 ± 0.18 yr⁻¹ for O. mossambicus and 0.93 ± 0.47 yr⁻¹ for C. gariepinus. The mean empirical estimates of natural mortality (M) were 0.46 yr⁻¹ for O. mossambicus and 0.50 year⁻¹ for C. gariepinus, and fishing mortality (F) was calculated as 0.16 yr⁻¹ for O. mossambicus and 0.43 yr⁻¹ for C. gariepinus. The overall exploitation level (Z/K) was 1.41 for O. mossambicus and 3.01 for C. gariepinus. Given that the Z/K ratio was >1, it was asserted that both O. mossambicus and C. gariepinus were mortality-dominated and fairly heavily exploited. However, potential for sustainable exploitation existed since both species showed signs of resilience due short longevity and high rate of natural mortality. Given the limitation of simple exponential models of fish mortality and growth under the situation of seasonal fluctuation of water levels, a simple predictive hydroclimatic- fisheries model was developed. The model predicted the life-history and production parameters fairly accurately (0.53 ≤ r² ≥ 0.98, p ≤ 0.05), and showed that environmental and biological events in the floodplain significantly (0.43 ≤ r² ≥ 0.91, p ≤ 0.05) followed the periodic function of time (day-of-the-year), hence, strongly seasonal. In addition, the flood-pulse preceded all the major biological events, with predicted phase lags established at 55.6º for peak flood, 157.2º, 260.1º, 334.6º and 341.4º for condition factor for O. mossambicus, recruitment, spawning period for O. mossambicus and C. gariepinus, respectively. Therefore, it was recommended that water obstruction on the Shire River must ensure sufficient water flow during the peak flood and spawning period to allow flooding and inundation of the floodplain in order to create habitat favourable for spawning and feeding as well as improve recruitment

Women’s engagement in and outcomes from small-scale fisheries value chains in Malawi: Effects of social relations

Women play an important role within small-scale fishing communities in sub-Saharan Africa through engaging in fish value chain activities and contributing to household food security and income. There is, however, little empirical information about the nature of women’s engagement in small-scale fishery value chains and the outcomes of that engagement especially in Malawi, our study country. This study addresses the gap by examining (1) the ways in which women participate in fish value chains; (2) the outcomes of their participation at individual, household, and community level; and (3) how social relations influence the participation and the outcomes obtained. The study adopted a case study approach and draws upon qualitative data from the two small-scale fisheries in Msaka on Lake Malawi and Kachulu on Lake Chilwa. The research applies a social relations approach in the line of Kabeer, in examining women’s participation and outcomes of participation within the small-scale fisheries. Our study reveals that women provide significant social and economic benefits to their families and the broader community as they participate as processors and traders with a few participating at the production node as gear owners. The study also finds that women encounter challenges that may have potential to negatively affect their engagement in the small-scale value chains including gender-based discrimination as some women are restricted by their husbands to engage in the intermediary role especially at Kachulu; the few women who join the crew fishing face social exclusions, poor working conditions, care burden that limits women’s time to actively participate in value chain activities. The study highlights the social norms associated with hierarchical husband-wife relationships have negative effects on women’s participation and the outcomes derived in the value chain activities. This research adds to the body of work that examines issues of social relations and their impacts on the well-being and roles of women in small-scale fisheries

Women’s participation in fish value chains and value chain governance in Malawi: A case of Msaka (Lake Malawi) and Kachulu (Lake Chilwa)

This paper helps to fill an important gap that exists in gender responsive fish value chains by analysing the factors that influence women’s participation in fish value chains and value chain governance in Malawi. The study was based on the premise that there is limited information on how fish trade contributes to the livelihoods of specific groups within communities dependent on fisheries. In trying to assess the situation on the ground a value chain analysis framework was adopted and focus group interviews, key informant interviews and gender transformative approaches were used to analyse (a) value chain participation by men and women; (b) institutional arrangements in the value chain; and (c) perceptions and experiences of men and women in the value chain processes. In addition, relevant documents were reviewed to determine to which extent gender is considered in fish value chains and their governance. The study findings show that women are relatively integrated in all the nodes and activities of the value chain, even though their participation in leadership positions is limited because men dominate leadership and decision-making positions. From a governance point of view, the patterns of interactions identified are characterised by special proximity and family ties. The study also identified an intermediary node of auxiliary actors who play a critical role of brokering trade at the production and processing levels. It found that this role is not adequately recognised by external support and government as there are no support services targeted for such actors. The study contributed to a deeper understanding of women-specific issues in the fisheries sector in Malawi, hence providing further opportunities for gaining support for women’s empowerment in the fisheries sector

Putting Fisheries and Aquaculture on Nepad Agenda

Capture fisheries is a primary employment for inhabitants of coastal and inland aquatic ecosystems globally. However, historically, aquaculture has been well documented as an economic activity in Southeast Asia. Coastal marine fisheries and freshwater inland waters provided employment for inhabitants of these ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Aquaculture was started in Africa over four decades ago. Yet, the activities have not substantially contributed to domestic fish production, hence, the need for the hosting of the NEPAD Fish for All Summit by President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria in Abuja, August 2005. The Summit ended with a unanimously adopted Abuja Declaration. This is a positive strategy for putting fisheries and aquaculture on NEPAD's Future Actions in the process of developing Agriculture in all 53 SSA countries. This paper examined the issues that will enhance the objectives of putting fisheries and aquaculture on the future agenda of NEPAD. Nigeria's fisheries and aquaculture was used as an example for the implementation of the Abuja Declaration as a follow-up action. The Private and Public Sector contributions to a successful action plan are extensively discussed. Recommendations hinge on the issues inhibiting farming Nigeria’s waters for economic growth as a nation and as a unique market for fisheries and aquaculture in West and Central Africa

Trade and investment in fish and fish products between South Africa and the rest of SADC: Implications for food and nutrition security

This paper looks at the dynamics of intra-regional trade and investment in fish and fish products between South Africa and the rest of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region, and the implications of this trade for food and nutrition security. It is based on key informant interviews with people in the food industry in South Africa and Africa regional economic bodies. Imports and exports of fish in South Africa are driven by import substitution, shortfalls in local production, and meeting growing local and regional demand. Most South African fish and food processors prefer to export, rather than establish plants in other African countries, mainly due to factors of economic efficiency and the challenges of doing business in these countries. Currently, however, increasing volumes of fish are being imported into South Africa to meet demand from the African migrant community. While self-sufficiency and food sovereignty are acknowledged priorities for the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), imports to meet local shortfalls and specific demand ought to be acceptable options for ensuring fish food availability and affordability. The reduction or removal of tariffs, through regional free trade agreements, promotes increased intra-regional trade. Overall, imports and exports provide for demand-led exchange of fish between SADC states, which promotes increased availability and affordability of fish; thereby contributing towards food and nutrition security. However, despite regional free trade agreements that have stipulated the removal of both technical and non-technical barriers, most small-scale traders still experience problems in conducting cross-border trade. The majority of people in both South Africa and the SADC still rely heavily on the informal sector for conduct business and buying food provisions. This includes cross-border fish trade, which is dominated by small scale-traders, the majority of whom are women. The informal sector ensures that food reaches most people in an acceptable state, form and price. In order to promote and facilitate improved and efficient fish trade delivery systems and positive benefits for food security and livelihoods, governance of crossborder trade ought to be based on flexible regulations and improved implementation of these

An International Instrument for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines): Implementation Strategies

In 2011 the FAO Committee on Fisheries tasked FAO with the development of an international instrument in the form of guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries (SSF Guidelines). The SSF Guidelines will facilitate the empowerment and mobilization of stakeholders to promote change towards sustainable small-scale fisheries and hence facilitate the realisation of the sector’s potential to contribute to poverty alleviation, food and nutrition security, and economic growth. This process needs strong catalysts and follow-up to stimulate lasting and efficient change and there is a need to build bridges between different stakeholder visions, within the fisheries sector as well as outside, to ensure coherence and build political will. The session discussed modalities of engagement of different stakeholders to facilitate the future implementation of the SSF Guidelines, in particular with regard to information and research, capacity development, institutional arrangements and incentive structures

Improving access to aquatic foods

Food systems must transform to provide undernourished people with greater access to nutrient-rich foods. While there has been a push to increase volumes of food production, too little attention has been paid to the factors that enable access to nutritious aquatic foods