2026/07/01 by Mwamad Salim M'balaka, Mwamad S. M’balaka, Cecilia Ligomeka-Mvula +8
Environmental Science · #Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity #Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics #Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
paper · doi:10.1002/aqc.70429
openalex publication_date 2026/07/01 · openalex created_date 2026/07/28 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
ABSTRACT Lake Malombe has been under severe fishing pressure despite its continued provision of significant ecosystem services to the surrounding communities. Despite several research interests, there is limited updated knowledge on the status of fish stocks; hence, a study was conducted to address that. The study specifically determined catch rates, density, fish species diversity and biomass. It hypothesised that fish catch rates, densities, fish species diversity and biomass were the same between the 2017 and 2025 surveys. Multiple data analysis tools were used in conducting statistical analyses for both 2017 and 2025 data. The current survey results registered a significant decline in fish catches ( p = 0.048), catch rates ( p = 0.0007) and densities ( p = 0.008) between the 2017 and 2025 surveys. Fish catch rates and density significantly varied across the blocks ( p = 0.022) and ( p = 0.0323), respectively. There was a significant decline in fish biomass of key fish species between the survey periods and across blocks. Both surveys revealed relatively low fish diversity and evenness with no differences between the periods ( p = 0.085) and across the blocks ( p = 0.066). Across the two surveys, the 54 identified fish species belonged to various conservation statuses. Changes in fish populations, including the decline of historically dominant species and the rise of smaller haplochromines, may reflect the impacts of overfishing and habitat damage to the ecosystem. Interventions that promote resource users are strongly recommended, such as better regulation enforcement, a community‐based co‐management approach and habitat rehabilitation, so that the long‐term restoration and conservation of fisheries resources in Lake Malombe can be achieved.