Unforced control of fishing activities as a result of coexistence with underwater protected areas in Lake Malawi National Park, East Africa

Abstract

We made a detailed study of fishing activities by artisanal fishermen using gill nets and ecology of their target catfishes in 2000 and 2001 in Lake Malawi National Park in east Africa, where fishing activities seemed to coexist with the regulations of underwater protected areas (PAs) and fish stocks seemed to be maintained well. The overall ratio of the illegal nets in the PAs was 26%. Even though there was no effective law enforcement activity by the national park authority, fishermen tended to avoid setting nets near the boarder of PAs in the areas directly visible from the village, and they tended to use small cryptic buoys when they set nets inside the PAs. A large coastal area was relatively less exploited as a result of this unforced control, probably resulting in current good stock status of catfishes. We discuss the reasons of this unforced control in the light of acceptance of, and coexistence with the national park, interaction with external scientists, and local leadership.