Some effects of demersal trawling in Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa) from 1968 to 1974

Exploratory trawl data were used to define demersal fish stocks of Lake Malawi in terms of abundance by depth and area. The mean weight of the catch generally declined with increasing depth. A comparison of initial standing stock estimates and the yield from a commercial fishery over a 7 year period suggests a potential yield of less than half of the initial stock. Over 160 species of fish have been identified in the trawl catch of which over 80% by weight were cichlids. Some of the commonest species of cichlids are listed. The composition of the catch in the heavily exploited southern end of the lake has changed from one dominated by large species of Haplochromis sp. and Lethrinops sp. to one dominated by smaller species.