The Farming of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in Malawi: Review about History and Policy Research Directions
Keywords:
Common Carp, fish introduction, exotic fish
Abstract
The lack of better performing native fish species for aquaculture led the government of Malawi to import the exotic Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in 1976. Growth trials at Domasi and Kasinthula Experimental Stations had shown that Common Carp grew faster and to a larger size than the indigenous fish species. The government decided to distribute the fish to farmers for grow-out. Barely five years into Common Carp distribution to farmers, the government reversed its policy and banned the use of the fish in aquaculture. The government not only became unpopular but also lost the confidence of the farmers who had begun to see positive impacts of Common Carp to their livelihoods. The farmers are as unconvinced today as they were before with the explanations behind the banning of Common Carp. This paper explores the background to Common Carp farming in Malawi, why the fish was later banned and the impacts of the fish’s ban on the status of Malawi’s aquaculture. We highlight the farmers’ call for a return of Common Carp to Malawi’s aquaculture and the research needed to be undertaken to inform government’s response to the farmers’ call.
References
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[31] NRCM (National Research Council of Malawi). (1999). Malawi agricultural sciences and natural resources research master plan. NRCM Agricultural Sciences Committee. 167 p.
[32] M.V. Kapeleta. (2001). Aquaculture development in Malawi: Tilapia culture. In Promotion of sustainable commercial aquaculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Experiences of selected developing countries, FAO Fisheries circular No 971 FIEP/C971 (Bi).
[33] T.G. Andrew, O.L.F. Weyl, M. Andrew. (2003). Aquaculture master plan development in Malawi: Socioeconomic survey report.
[34] A.O. Maluwa. (2000). The project on aquaculture research and technical development of Malawian indigenous species, 1999/2000 Annual report. National Aquaculture Centre (NAC), Domasi, Malawi.
[35] A.W. Breukelaar, E.H.R.R. Lammens, J.G.P. Klein Breteler, I. Tatrai. (1994). Effects of benthivorous bream (Abramis brama) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) on sediment resuspensions and concentrations of nutrients and chlorophyll a. Freshwater Biol. 32:113–121.
[36] B.A. Costa-Pierce, R.S.V. Pullin. (1989). Stirring ponds as a possible means of increasing aquaculture production. Aquabyte 2, 5–7.
[37] A.O. Maluwa. (2000). The project on aquaculture research and technical development of Malawian indigenous species, 1999/2000 Annual report. National Aquaculture Centre (NAC), Domasi, Malawi.
[38] Environmental Affairs Department. (2006). National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Lilongwe.
[39] D.D. Bandula. (1997). Status of the common carp, (Cyprinus carpio) as a candidate exotic fish for fish farming in Malawi: Report of the Technical Consultation on Species for Small Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture in Southern Africa. Livingstone, Zambia, 7-11 November 1994, FAO, Harare (Zimbabwe), 1997, pp. 33-34, ALCOM report. Harare [Alcom Rep.], no. 19.
[40] SSC (System Science Consultants) Inc. (2005). National Aquaculture Strategic Plan (NASP) (2006–2015). Master Plan Study on Aquaculture Development in Malawi. Main Report. Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tokyo.
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[43] O.V. Msiska. (1984). Annual report. 1981-83 of the Domasi fisheries station. Experimental fish farm and prawn hatchery. Domasi fish farming station. Domasi. Malawi.
[44] J. T. Pitcher. (1995). Thinking the unthinkable: a candidate model for predicting sustainable yields of introduced fish species in African lakes. In: T. J. Pitcher and P. J. B. Hart (eds.). The impact of species Changes in African Lakes. Great Britain. Chapman & Hall. pp 495-525.
[45] J.H. Koekemoer and G.J. Steyn. (2002). Fish community study of Hartbeespoort dam. Final Report. Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Tourism. R.S.A
[2] F. Sanudi, B. Jere, K. Mzengereza, B.B. Chirwa. (2015). Effect of Stocking Density and Feed on Growth of Improved (F5) Mono-Sex Oreochromis Shiranus Reared in Tanks. J Fisheries Livest Prod 3: 148. doi:10.4172/2332-2608.1000148
[3] C. Mahony, H. Clark, M. Bolwel, T. Simcock, R. Potter and J. Meng, (2014). Where Politics Borders Law: The Malawi-Tanzania Boundary Dispute. New Zealand Centre for Human Rights Law, Policy and Practice – Working Paper 21, February 2014.
[4] Olaf L. F. Weyl, Anthony J. Ribbink, and Denis, Tweddle. 2010. 'Lake Malawi: fishes, fisheries, biodiversity, health and habitat', Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 13: 3, 241 — 254 DOI: 10.1080/14634988.2010.504695
[5] GoM (Government of Malawi). 2011. Annual Economic Report, Malawi: Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation, Lilongwe.
[6] IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute). 2012. Food security portal Malawi. Available from: http://www.foodsecurityportal.org/malawi.
[7] J. Nagoli, E.M. Phiri, E. Kambewa, and D. Jamu. (2009). Adapting Agriculture Aquaculture for HIV and AIDS – Affected Households: The case of Malawi. The WorldFish Center Working Paper 1957. The WorldFish center, Penang, Malaysia.
[8] A.J.M. Russell, P.A. Grötz, S.K. Kriesemer, and D.E. Pemsl. (2008). Recommendation Domains for Pond Aquaculture. Country Case Study: Development and Status of Freshwater Aquaculture in Malawi. WorldFish Center Studies and Reviews No. 1869. The WorldFish Center, Penang, Malaysia. 52 p.
[9] GoM (Government of Malawi). 2012. National Fisheries Policy 2012-2017. 2nd edn. Department of Fisheries, Lilongwe.
[10] Y. Pruginin. (1976). Fish fanning in Malawi. FI: DP/MLW/71/516/8. FAO. Rome.
[11] J.D. Balarin, (1987). National reviews for Aquaculture Development in Africa. Malawi. FAO Fisheries Circular, No. 770.12. 83 p.
[12] ICLARM/GTZ. (1990). The context of small-scale integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems in Africa: a case study of Malawi. ICLARM Stud. Rev., No.18. 302 p.
[13] C.K. Betram, H.J. Borley, and E. Trewavas. (1942). Report on fish and fisheries of Lake Nyasa. Crown Agents for the Colonies on behalf of the Government of Nyasaland, London, England. 91 p.
[14] R. L. Welcomme. (1988). International Introductions of Inland Aquatic Species. FAO, U.N.
[15] J.-P. Vanden Bossche and G.M. Bernacsek. (1990). Source book for the inland fishery resources of Africa: 1. CIFA Technical Paper. No. 18.1. Rome, FAO. 240p.
[16] O.V. Msiska and B.A. Costa-Pierce, Editors. (1993). History, Status and Future of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as an exotic species in Malawi. WorldFish Center—ICLARM, Manila.
[17] O.V. Msiska. (1993). Status and Performance of Common Carp on Estates in Malawi. In: O.V. Msiska & B.A. Costa-Pierce (Eds) History, Status and Future of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as an exotic species in Malawi. WorldFish Center—ICLARM, Manila.
[18] M. M’balaka. D. Kassam and B. Rusuwa. (2012). The effect of stocking density on the growth and survival of improved and unimproved strains of Oreochromis shiranus. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research, 38, 205-211.
[19] B.J. Mkoko and J.T. Mutambo. (1993). Formulation and Status of Government Policy on Common Carp. In: Msiska, O.V. & B.A. Costa-Pierce (Eds) History, Status and Future of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as an exotic species in Malawi. WorldFish Center—ICLARM, Manila.
[20] J. Moreau and B. Cost-Pierce. (1997). Introduction and present status of exotic carp in Africa. Aquaculture Research 28:717-732
[21] V.S. Kirpitchnikov. (1999): Genetics and breeding of common carp. Paris: INRA, p97.
[22] E. K. Balon. (1995): The common carp, Cyprinus carpio: its wild origin, domestication in aquaculture, and selection as colour nishikigoi. Guelph Ichthyology Reviews, 3, 1–55.
[23] C.B.M. Alves, V. Vono and F. Vieira. (1999). Presence of the walking catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) (Silurifomes, Clariidae) in Minas Gerais state hydrographic basins, Brazil. Revta bras. Zool. 16 (1):259-263
[24] C. M. V. Casal (2006): Global documentation of fish introductions: the growing crisis and recommendations for action. Biological invasions, 8, 1, 3-11.
[25] J.F. Zhou, Q.J. Wu, Y.Z. Ye, J.G. Tong. (2003). Genetic divergence between Cyprinus carpio carpio and Cyprinus carpio haematopterus as assessed by mitochondrial DNA analysis, with emphasis on origin of European domestic carp. Genetica 119:93–97
[26] ISSG (Invasive Species Specialist Group). (2000). IUCN guideline for the prevention of biodiversity loss caused by alien invasive species. IUCN, Gland.
[27] FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). (2007). Fishstat Plus (v. 2.30). FAO, Rome, Italy
[28] (FAO) Food and Agriculture Organization. (2015). FishStat database. FAO, Rome, Italy
[29] R.P. Noble. (1993). Status and Performance of Common Carp on smallholder Farms in Zomba District, Malawi. In: Msiska, O.V. & B.A. Costa-Pierce (Eds) History, Status and Future of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as an exotic species in Malawi. WorldFish Center—ICLARM, Manila.
[30] B.J. Mkoko and J.T. Mutambo. (1993). Formulation and Status of Government Policy on Common Carp. In: Msiska, O.V. & B.A. Costa-Pierce (Eds) History, Status and Future of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as an exotic species in Malawi. WorldFish Center—ICLARM, Manila.
[31] NRCM (National Research Council of Malawi). (1999). Malawi agricultural sciences and natural resources research master plan. NRCM Agricultural Sciences Committee. 167 p.
[32] M.V. Kapeleta. (2001). Aquaculture development in Malawi: Tilapia culture. In Promotion of sustainable commercial aquaculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Experiences of selected developing countries, FAO Fisheries circular No 971 FIEP/C971 (Bi).
[33] T.G. Andrew, O.L.F. Weyl, M. Andrew. (2003). Aquaculture master plan development in Malawi: Socioeconomic survey report.
[34] A.O. Maluwa. (2000). The project on aquaculture research and technical development of Malawian indigenous species, 1999/2000 Annual report. National Aquaculture Centre (NAC), Domasi, Malawi.
[35] A.W. Breukelaar, E.H.R.R. Lammens, J.G.P. Klein Breteler, I. Tatrai. (1994). Effects of benthivorous bream (Abramis brama) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) on sediment resuspensions and concentrations of nutrients and chlorophyll a. Freshwater Biol. 32:113–121.
[36] B.A. Costa-Pierce, R.S.V. Pullin. (1989). Stirring ponds as a possible means of increasing aquaculture production. Aquabyte 2, 5–7.
[37] A.O. Maluwa. (2000). The project on aquaculture research and technical development of Malawian indigenous species, 1999/2000 Annual report. National Aquaculture Centre (NAC), Domasi, Malawi.
[38] Environmental Affairs Department. (2006). National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Lilongwe.
[39] D.D. Bandula. (1997). Status of the common carp, (Cyprinus carpio) as a candidate exotic fish for fish farming in Malawi: Report of the Technical Consultation on Species for Small Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture in Southern Africa. Livingstone, Zambia, 7-11 November 1994, FAO, Harare (Zimbabwe), 1997, pp. 33-34, ALCOM report. Harare [Alcom Rep.], no. 19.
[40] SSC (System Science Consultants) Inc. (2005). National Aquaculture Strategic Plan (NASP) (2006–2015). Master Plan Study on Aquaculture Development in Malawi. Main Report. Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tokyo.
[41] J.Z. Jackson, M.C. Quist, J.A. Downing and J.G. Larscheid. (2010). Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), sport fishes, and water quality: Ecological thresholds in agriculturally eutrophic lakes, Lake and Reservoir Management, 26:1, 14-22, DOI: 10.1080/0743814090350058
[42] M.J. Weber and M.L. Brown. (2009). Effects of common carp on aquatic ecosystems 80 years after ‘Carp as a dominant’; Ecological insights for fisheries management. Reviews in Fisheries Science 17: 524–537.
[43] O.V. Msiska. (1984). Annual report. 1981-83 of the Domasi fisheries station. Experimental fish farm and prawn hatchery. Domasi fish farming station. Domasi. Malawi.
[44] J. T. Pitcher. (1995). Thinking the unthinkable: a candidate model for predicting sustainable yields of introduced fish species in African lakes. In: T. J. Pitcher and P. J. B. Hart (eds.). The impact of species Changes in African Lakes. Great Britain. Chapman & Hall. pp 495-525.
[45] J.H. Koekemoer and G.J. Steyn. (2002). Fish community study of Hartbeespoort dam. Final Report. Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Tourism. R.S.A
Published
2019-07-13
How to Cite
Chirwa , E. R., Kassam , D., & Jere , W. L. (2019). The Farming of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in Malawi: Review about History and Policy Research Directions. International Journal of Social Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends, 1(1), 56-69. Retrieved from https://ijsscfrtjournal.isrra.org/index.php/Social_Science_Journal/article/view/5
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