Fish Research & Monitoring

They may not be as captivating as gorillas or as majestic as lions, but fish are wildlife too. And, in the massive Zambezi River system, fish are not only vital to the ecosystem but also a staple in the diet of millions of people. For the people who live along the river, the fish resources of the Zambezi contribute a significant part of their diet.

A growing population and poor agricultural conditions have caused increasing pressure on the fish stocks. Local people have responded by reverting to the use of inappropriate and unsustainable fishing techniques.

In hopes of ensuring that these fish stocks will continue to be around for many years to come, AWF has embarked on extensive research and monitoring efforts in the Zambezi River, its tributaries and related reservoirs.

To better understand the fishery dynamics, AWF and other stakeholders conducted several aquatic biodiversity surveys from 2003 to 2007 along the entire length of the Upper and Middle Zambezi. A total of 210 sites were sampled and all but five species previously known from the Upper Zambezi were recorded.

Field observations made during the surveys confirmed a system that is under such pressure that it is impacting negatively on the fishery and the biodiversity of the fishes of the Zambezi River.

For the first time in history, real data became available on the effect of the human population on the Zambezi River network - on the use of incompatible fishing methods (like small-mesh nets which capture juvenile fish before they’ve had a chance to mature and create offspring), incompatible land uses (like deforestation, which leads to erosion and massive deposits of silt in the river), and the over-fishing that springs from Africa’s growing appetite for protein.

All this research continues to help AWF and its partners guide fisheries’ policy and legislation and help local communities create fishing strategies that are not just profitable, but truly sustainable.

It has been said that teaching a man to fish is important. AWF believes that teaching humankind to conserve fish stocks for the future is even more important. And, gaining a greater understanding of this species is the first step in doing so.

AWF is committed to establishing sound management practices through local community engagement for the conservation and sustainable use of shared fisheries resources along the Zambezi River. AWF is determining the impact of current uncontrolled fishing practices on the conservation of biodiversity and threatened fish species.

This research is expected to improve the livelihoods of the local communities that highly depend on fishery for their food security – by proposing management practices (sustainable practices) that will allow the population to continue to fish. Key management practices, such as the protection of breeding areas, can quickly result in improved fish stocks and provide higher fishing returns. The zoning of non-fishing breeding and nursery areas has already been piloted in the lower Zambezi areas covering Mbire in Zimbabwe and the Magoe and Zumbu districts in Mozambique with a view to roll this out further upstream. AWF’s Zambezi River fisheries research and conservation will also help to ensure the viability of sport fishing camps along the river, which provide a source of income for the local population.