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Celebrating five years of impact conserving Lake Malawi’s biodiversity
For the past five years, the REFRESH project has been at the forefront of conserving Lake Malawi’s incredible freshwater biodiversity, working tirelessly to restore fisheries productivity and ensure sustainable management practices in the region. From 2019 to 2024, the project, led by Pact and funded by USAID, dedicated its efforts to combating the long-standing challenges of overfishing and habitat destruction in one of the world’s most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems.
This week, Pact held a high-level event in Lilongwe, Malawi, to mark the successful conclusion of the project. The event brought together key stakeholders and partners who played a vital role in driving the project’s objectives forward, including government officials, academia, local communities, Traditional Authorities, conservation enterprises and media.
Joseph Magwira, Principal Secretary for Administration in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, was the event guest of honor. Other notable attendees included USAID Deputy Mission Director Michael Rossman, Dr. Hastings Zidana, Director of Fisheries, and key representatives from Pact, Deputy Regional Director Marianna Balampama and REFRESH Chief of Party Dr. Daniel Jamu.
Pact shared a presentation that highlighted the project’s key achievements. The project's Deputy Chief of Party, Amakhosi Jere, delivered a powerful overview, followed by a 15-minute video that brought to life the project’s impact and legacy. Testimonials from key partners and stakeholders reflected the depth and breadth of REFRESH’s contributions to the fisheries sector.
Some of the key achievements of the project include:
- Approval of the Fisheries Devolution Plan: A major milestone in fisheries governance, decentralizing management to local councils.
- Introduction of e-ticketing: Boosting local revenue for district councils through the provision of e-ticketing gadgets.
- Digitization of Fisheries Data Collection: Through the eCAS mobile app, the project modernized fish catch and effort data collection, improving the accuracy and timeliness of reporting.
- Purchase of Hydroacoustic Equipment: Enabling precise biomass surveys to better monitor fish populations.
- Establishment of Fish Sanctuaries: Crucial for rebuilding Chambo fish populations and promoting biodiversity.
- Strengthening Fisheries Enforcement: Providing engine boats to support enforcement efforts and reduce illegal fishing activities.
- Boat Marking and Registration: A key initiative in controlling illegal fishing practices along Lake Malawi.
- Partnerships with Conservation Enterprises: Promoting alternative income-generating activities to reduce the pressure on fish stocks.
- Championing Fisheries Advocacy: Identifying and empowering local champions to lead the fight against overfishing.
The event highlighted how these interventions have contributed to more sustainable fisheries management, improved governance and better livelihoods for the lakeshore communities.
Dr. Daniel Zidana, Director of Fisheries, expressed his deep appreciation for the REFRESH project’s efforts, emphasizing the Department of Fisheries’ ongoing commitment to protecting Lake Malawi’s valuable resources. He acknowledged the role of local communities and partners in sustaining these efforts and ensuring the future of Malawi’s fisheries remains secure.
The project's legacy will undoubtedly live on, leaving a lasting impact on Lake Malawi’s ecosystems and the communities who depend on them.