An Urgent Call for Application of Output Controls alongside Current Input Controls in Commercial Fisheries Management System of Inland Lakes: Case Study of Malawi

Fisheries resources continue to decline globally and in Malawi amidst ever increasing human population. This study was conducted to assess catch composi+tion, species composition and catch per unit effort (CPUE) among commercial fishers. Secondary catch data (2000 to 2021) obtained from Department of Fisheries was used. Trend of fish species composition over the 21-year period was initially dominated by Lethrinops species and Utaka (Copadichromis species) until 2002 when Ndunduma (Diplotaxodon species) started to become prominent. Pattern of Utaka appears to be more cyclic as three- or four-year peaks were followed by about four years troughs. Dominance of Ndunduma which in most years was above 50% demonstrates economic importance of the fishery in commercial trawl industry. Dominance of Pelagic Utaka and Ndunduma is attributed to the increased adoption of midwater trawl nets by the fishery with very few units operating bottom trawl nets. In 2021, the pair trawlers contributed 52% of landings than stern trawlers. Scramble for fishing by commercial fishers may lead to tragedy of commons. It is recommended to allocate to individual fishers catch quotas (output control). By employing input controls and this output control, commercial fishers will be prudently managed in a very sustainable way. Keywords: commercial fishery, largescale fishery, food security, Malawi.