Assessment of catch, effort and species changes in the pair‐trawl fishery of southern Lake Malawi, Malawi, Africa

Catch per unit effort (CPUE) and species composition in the pair‐trawl fishery in commercial Area A of southern Lake Malawi were assessed from 1991 to 2001. CPUE declined from 1.7 t day−1 in 1995 to 0.5 t day−1 in 2001 and the fishery is considered depleted. In 2000/2002, catch composition differed significantly from a 1991 survey, and was dominated by haplochromine cichlids (92% by weight). Of 98 haplochromine cichlid taxa identified in the catch, 18 contributed ≥1% by weight. The artisanal fishery targeted similar species of a similar size. It was recommended that: (1) renewed investment and increased effort in the pair‐trawl fishery is not advisable; (2) there was a need for effort limitation in Area A and (3) the pair‐trawl fishery should not be managed in isolation of the artisanal fishery.