VULNERABILITY OF MANGOCHI’S FISHING INDUSTRY TO IMPACTS OF PROSPECTIVE PETROLEUM EXPLORATION IN LAKE MALAWI

The fishing industry in Malawi is crucial to both its people and its economy. For many individuals, it is a source of affordable proteins, forex, and jobs.
Notwithstanding the advantages of petroleum exploration, prospective petroleum exploitation on Lake Malawi poses a danger to this reliable fishing sector. This study's primary goal is to determine how susceptible the fishing business is to potential oil development on Lake Malawi. The majority of the fishing is done in Mangochi, where this study was conducted.
According to research, over 84% of the residents of Mangochi rely on agriculture and fishing for a living. This study has confirmed that the reason why the population relies on the lake for survival is probably due to low literacy rates.
Mangochi has more fish because of the area's shallow waters. Nonetheless, the study made note of the fact that Mangochi's shallow waters put fish at danger of heightened toxicity in the event of any unintentional or deliberate discharge of oil into the lake during exploratory drilling. It has also been determined that more than half of Mangochi's waters are used for significant fishing operations, and that any alteration to this area will result in fishermen losing access to their fishing grounds to petroleum exploration. Also, it has been determined that if the fishing
industry has been harmed by the exploratory activities, more than 563,000 jobs will be lost.
In order to reduce the likelihood of oil leaks and sea grabbing by the petroleum sector, it is advised that the government implement rigorous rules when it comes to petroleum exploration. This will guarantee that the resources in Lake Malawi are used to the benefit of both the fishing business and the petroleum industry.

Nonetheless, the study made note of the fact that Mangochi's shallow waters put fish at danger of heightened toxicity in the event of any unintentional or deliberate discharge of oil into the lake during exploratory drilling. It has also been determined that more than half of Mangochi's waters are used for significant fishing operations, and that any alteration to this area will result in fishermen losing access to their fishing grounds to petroleum exploration. Also, it has been determined that if the fishing
industry has been harmed by the exploratory activities, more than 563,000 jobs will be lost. In order to reduce the likelihood of oil leaks and sea grabbing by the petroleum sector, it is advised that the government implement rigorous rules when it comes to petroleum exploration.

The study was conducted in Mangochi district which is located in southern region of Malawi. According to population and housing census, Mangochi district contributes 6.5 percent of the population of Malawi (1,148,611 persons). Lake Malawi, located in the eastern part of the district, is the third-largest freshwater lake in Africa and is home to over 1,000 species of fish, many of which are unique to the lake.

Traditional authority: Lake Malawi

District: Mangochi

Coordinates: -13.95085, 35.017