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On the shores of Lake Malawi, a crowd is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a white and yellow cedar wooden boat carrying its cargo.
The six crew members deliver a single fillet of chambo, sardine and tiny Usipa fish from the boat, one of 72 ships that land their catch every day on the beach of Senga Bay.
But overfishing and climate change have had negative consequences.
Hundreds of local traders gather every morning and every afternoon in Senga to find that fish populations are dwindling in Lake Malawi, Africa's third largest freshwater basin.
"We were hoping to catch a full half-boat or maybe a quarter of a boat … but I'm afraid the fish are outnumbered," Port Manager Alfred Banda told AFP. staring at the little hold while she was dragged into the sand.
"Before, we caught a full boat but now we are fighting," he said, adding that a full boat would bring about $ 300 to a team of six to twelve fishermen.
Bordering three countries – Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique – Lake Malawi stretches over 29,000 km 2 and is home to more than 1,000 species of fish.
The 14,000 inhabitants of Senga Bay depend on the lake to feed themselves and earn a living.
"Seven years ago, there were many more fish than today, and in 2019 it's different, there are no fish in the water." ", told AFP Katrina Male, a 40-year-old 40-year-old mother, while she was tracking the nets in the fish looking for the best offer.
"Fish are now more expensive because they are becoming scarce," Male said. "Some children have stopped going to school because their parents do not find money."
"No alternative to fishing"
For residents and climate experts, the decline in fish numbers reflects a combination of environmental change and overfishing that bodes ill for the future.
The World Bank ranks Malawi among the top 10 African countries most vulnerable to climate change, with cyclones and floods being the main threats.
Senga community leader John White Said said gale force winds and torrential rains have made things harder for fishermen on the lake.
"Our men can not catch fish because of the wind, which is much stronger than before," he said, adding that the rains are increasingly unpredictable on the lake.
"Before, the rain would not destroy houses and nature, but now it is full of energy, destroying everything and also affecting the water."
According to USAID, the number of rainfall-related incidents in the aid-dependent country is likely to decrease – but each rain will be more intense, which will result in droughts and floods.
The threat was highlighted in March when Malawi was hit by the torrential rains of Hurricane Idai, killing 59 people. The storm also swept Mozambique and Zimbabwe, killing nearly 1,000 people.
In addition to the environmental impact, the number of fishermen in Senga has doubled in the last 10 years due to the absence of other jobs, Said said.
"There is no alternative to fishing."
One of the few to benefit is the 38-year-old Salim Jackson boat owner, who rents her two ships.
"I started fishing 13 years ago because I had no other choice.I have never been to school.But this has brought me back. a lot of money, "he said.
"Unsustainable fishing practices"
At sunset, fishing net balls were laid on the beach and buyers and fishermen negotiated prices.
The traders carry their purchases in buckets to improvised reed tables to dry, smoke, fry or boil them for marketing.
"The decline in fish catches is mainly due to unsustainable fishing practices," said Sosten Chiotha, a professor of environmental science from Malawi, who works for the Leadership Action Group for Waters. Environment and development (LEAD).
"Overfishing is a problem in Lake Malawi (but) there are efforts for co-management and closure of seasons to ensure the resumption of fishing."
Chiotha added that climate change is hitting Malawi with "increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in key ecosystems, including lakes".
This leaves Malawi's economy heavily focused on climate-vulnerable agriculture, and entrenched poverty increases pressure on the environment.
Dressed in a black silk thawb dress and cap in white koufi, Said stands proudly on Senga Beach, watching the scene around him.
"I'm worried," he says. "In Malawi, most people depend on fishing financially and as a source of cheap food.
"Men have to throw their nets further and further away from the beach."
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