Lessons from Lake Malawi: Fisheries Governance in the Colonial Era
At this event, in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, Mzuzu University and the Scottish Fisheries Museum, the SMP participated in the launch of a new pop-up exhibition exploring the hidden history and complex legacies of colonial-era fisheries in Lake Malawi. Chaired by Prof Tracy Morse, the roundtable compared two mid-20th century fisheries management systems: the colonial government-led regime and the traditional Mbenji Island system under Senior Chief Makanjira.
Tracy explained the importance of the lake’s biodiversity and to livelihoods with 50,000 Fishers, half a million people employed in the industry and one and a half million Malawians depending on fish for nutrition.Dr David Wilson gave an introduction to the research, outlining how archival records, oral histories, and environmental sampling formed the backbone of the study. Prof Bryson Nkhoma then traced the history of Mbenji Island’s fisheries, from their origins in the 1950s to the present-day regime rooted in strong leadership, strict regulations, and traditional beliefs.
Dr Charles Knapp shared the scientific findings: Mbenji’s fish stocks were significantly healthier than those in nearby government-controlled waters — not due to water quality, but to management practices such as longer closed seasons, total bans during these periods, and rigorous enforcement.
Dr Wellman Kondowe highlighted related studies and the role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable fisheries management, while Dr Wilson closed with recommendations to strengthen community-led governance, support enforcement, and the importance of acknowledging the historical influences still shaping fisheries policy today.
The team enjoyed a tour of the Fisheries Museum
Speakers
Mzuzu University (Malawi):
Prof Bryson Nkhoma is a Professor of Environmental and Agricultural History as well as the departmental coordinator for postgraduate studies in History and Heritage Studies with expertise in precolonial, colonial, and postcolonial interventions related to agriculture, irrigation, food security, and Indigenous knowledge.
Dr. Wellman Kondowe is a senior lecturer in African Languages & Linguistics. He is also the current Lead Author in the National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) project focusing on the Indigenous & Local Knowledge Systems (ILK) for Terrestrial, Wetlands and Aquatic Ecosystems.
University of Strathclyde (Scotland):
Prof Tracy Morse is a Professor of Environmental Health who was previously based in Malawi for 20 years where she led an interdisciplinary team addressing the determinants of health.
Dr Charles Knapp is a Reader in Environmental Science and a water-quality environmental scientist with expertise in ecology and genetic analyses to explain trends in a historical context.
Dr David Wilson is a Senior Lecturer in History who was Principal Investigator of the “Lessons of Lake Malawi” project and who curated the exhibition. His expertise centres on histories of colonialism, law, environmental science, and maritime activities from the early modern to the modern period.
Recorded Video
Missed the event? Please find the recording and the time stamps below:
00:00 Welcome remarks, Stuart Brown - SMP CEO
00:50 Opening remarks, Prof Tracy Morse - University of Strathclyde
08:32 Introduction, Dr David Wilson - University of Strathclyde
16:35 Mbenjie Island history, Prof Bryson Nkhoma - Mzuzu University
25:10 Research findings, Dr Charles Knapp - Mzuzu University
34:00 Related study, Dr Wellman Kondowe - Mzuzu University
43:59 Further recommendations, Dr David Wilson - University of Strathclyde
51:16 Q & A
1:18:45 Closing remarks
