Fisheries authorities in Phalombe District are yet to recover a patrol boat that sank in Lake Chilwa following Cyclone-induced floods in 2023, a situation that continues to cripple law enforcement efforts on the lake.

Principal Fisheries Officer for Phalombe, Chimwemwe Tembo, told Zodiak Online on Wednesday that the absence of the boat has severely affected the department’s operations, including patrols and enforcement of fishing regulations.

Tembo said the department has been temporarily hiring boats from local fishers, but the vessels are unreliable and expose officers to serious safety risks.

“We are failing to effectively enforce fishing laws, especially on islands such as Njalo,” said Tembo.

He added that the department is in discussions with potential partners to secure a replacement boat to strengthen law enforcement activities on the lake.

Meanwhile, fisheries expert Professor Jeremiah Kang’ombe has called for urgent intervention to replace the missing boat, warning that the lack of enforcement is contributing to rapid fish depletion in Lake Chilwa.

“I am appealing to the Department of Fisheries to act swiftly to reverse the current trend,” said Kang’ombe.

Across the country, fisheries law enforcement continues to face multiple challenges, including inadequate equipment and shortage of personnel, further weakening efforts to protect Malawi’s fish stock.