Attaining fisheries sustainability: lessons from a traditional fisheries management scheme at Mbenji Island, Lake Malawi

Length-weight relationships (LWRs) were used to evaluate the sustainability of the utaka (Copadichromis spp) fishery in two parallel management schemes in Lake Malawi. A total of 462 fish samples were collected from fishermen at government-controlled areas (Nkhotakota south, Domira Bay, Senga Bay) and Mbenji Island traditional fisheries in September 2022. Each fish was measured and weighed for its total length (L) and body weight (W) using a measuring board and a digital scale, respectively. The LWRs were computed using the exponential equation: . Data on key water quality parameters were also collected. The LWR parameter ‘b’ ranged 2.3 -3.5, with highest values recorded at Mbenji Island, indicating positive allometric growth. Water quality did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the fishing strata. This shows that fish stocks at Mbenji Island were healthier than at government-controlled areas, suggesting a more sustainable management scheme where communities take greater roles in conservation.