Fish farming offers numerous benefits, including a reliable source of high-quality protein, essential nutrients, and a steady supply of food throughout the year. However, many Malawians still prefer wild fish over farmed fish due to common perceptions that farmed fish is of lower quality, has a different taste, and is less nutritious. It doesn’t help that farmed fish even looks darker in colour than its wild relatives.
These negative perceptions however stem from a lack of awareness and understanding of the benefits of farmed fish. Many people believe that wild fish is superior because it is perceived to be more natural and free from artificial additives. Additionally, the taste and texture of farmed fish can sometimes differ from wild fish due to variations in diet and environment. However, these differences do not necessarily mean that farmed fish is of lower quality or less nutritious.
One way to overcome these misconceptions and promote aquaculture as a powerful tool in the fight against food insecurity, is to launch Educational Campaigns to raise awareness about the benefits of farmed fish through community outreach programs, school initiatives, and media campaigns. Highlighting the nutritional value, safety, and economic benefits of farmed fish can help change public perception. Leading the way is Maldeco, which is the single largest commercial fishing company and aquaculture producer of Chambo in Malawi. In addition to marketing and selling fish they have both grown and caught in the open water, Maldeco supports local communities by selling them fish to trade at local markets as well as providing fingerlings for Malawians who operate fish farms of their own. By hiring its workforce locally, Maldeco also facilitates capacity development and knowledge transfer by equipping the workers with vital aquaculture skills.
Key developments
In March 2022, the African Development Bank (AfDB) launched the Program for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors (PROFISHBLUE). This initiative aims to promote sustainable fisheries management and boost the Blue Economy in the SADC region, including Malawi. One of its key components is promoting the consumption of farmed fish, which can significantly improve food security and nutrition for Malawians as well as building resilience and adaptive capacity to deal with climate change and other environmental challenges. Significant progress has been made, for example in July 2024, the SADC, in partnership with WorldFish, handed over fish hatchery equipment to the Government of Malawi to enhance fish production, particularly for Shire tilapia. The SADC Secretariat also provided equipment to the Senga Bay Fisheries Research Station in Salima, Malawi, to enhance fisheries management through stock assessments and monitoring of fishing operations on Lake Malawi.
PROFISHBLUE presents a unique opportunity for Malawi to harness the potential of aquaculture and enhance food security. By embracing farmed fish and addressing common misconceptions, Malawians can enjoy a sustainable, nutritious, and reliable food source that supports both their health and their economy. Especially in recent times when over fishing has adversely impacted caught fish yields from the lake. Different countries all over the world have adopted various strategies to promote farmed fish consumption, ranging from food festivals in Norway to partnerships with restaurants in Japan. The Chinese government supports aquaculture through subsidies, research and development, and public awareness campaign. Each country tailors its approach to fit its cultural context and consumer preferences. Whichever route we opt for doesn’t matter if at the end of the day we reap the nutritional benefits, diversification of food sources and the income and employment opportunities of fish farming. Aquaculture may not be THE KEY to unlock food security in Malawi, but it is certainly a big factor.
