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Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

Introduction

The fisheries department was officially established in 2006 with an aim of providing and overseeing undergraduate training and research in fisheries science. The department recognizes the important and largely unfulfilled role fisheries and fish stocks play in contributing to the well-being of fishers and consumers and towards economic development of the country.

Partnerships

The fisheries department has been involved in several partnerships as follows:

  • The MOU with the Ministry of Agriculture-Fisheries Department
    • The Department of Fisheries of the Mzuzu University has prepared a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture (Malawi Government). This MOU is aimed at strengthening areas of deficiency in the two organisations, so that there is mutual benefit and reliance.
  • Partnership with Stirling University (Institute of Aquaculture)
  • The Institute of Aquaculture of Stirling University has provided material and financial support to the department.
  • Collaboration with Development Partnership for Higher Education (DELPHE)
  • Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Aquatic Resources for Poverty Reduction through Education and Training
    • This was done to empower local communities (in Chikwina, Mpamba, Kavuzi and Chintheche areas) with relevant and practical knowledge to manage and utilize their aquatic resources in a sustainable manner in an effort to improving their well-being
  • A Study of Fisheries of Lake Kazuni
    • This mainly involved the assessment of fish fauna diversity of Lake Kazuni and assessment of Lake Kazuni ecosystem health.
  • An assessment of Status of Aquaculture in the Northern Region of Malawi
    • This was done to asses the level of aquaculture in the northern region of Malawi in terms of number of fish farmers and level of aquaculture production. The study made a compilation of the findings and the report for which the report is yet to be produced.
  • An Assessment of Fish Fauna Diversity at Chilundu Point in Nkhata-Bay
    • This is ongoing and it is mainly done to asses the level of translocation of the cliched species.

Mission


The department’s mission is to strengthen fisheries sector by concentrating on capture fisheries in Lake Malawi, other major lakes  and rivers by  emphasizing hands-on-experience so that its graduands are  not only relying on employment but can also set up their own fisheries businesses, with a minor focus on aquaculture.  The department hopes to achieve its mission by focusing on
(1) capacity building for the fisheries sector through training;
(2) promoting innovation and integration within the players in the fisheries sector to support research that is aligned with the emergent needs in the area of fisheries, and
(3) value-addition to fisheries training and research through building, rationalizing and sharing capacities and resources.