NEPAD REGIONAL FISH NODE NEWSLETTER V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 2 A U G U S T , 2 0 1 2

AUGUST, 2012

RECENT EVENTS IN BIOFISA FISH PROJECT

By Msekiwa Matsimbe As the current first phase of BioFISA is coming to an end, the BioFISA Fish was evaluated in order to identify lessons learned and explore options for the future. The

Prof Kaunda with the monitoring team; Dr. Bob Day, Ms. Heli Kuusipalo and Dr. Moola Mutondo

at the Dowa fish ponds

evaluation was conducted by the Finnish Consulting Group Ltd and the team members were; Dr Bob Day, Team Leader (South African), Ms. Heli Kuusipalo, Expert (Finnish) and Dr Moola Mutondo, Expert (Zambian). The team evaluated the Biofisa Fish Project and part of the Biofisa Mush-room project were evaluated from 9th to 12th September 2011. The team was taken through a series of presentations of the current status of the Fish and Mushroom projects, Field visit to the Dowa fish ponds, Linthipe River study site and Fisheries Research station-Monkeybay. Other countries that were earlier visited include South Africa and Zambia. A monitoring visit to Zambian project partners was made from 13-14th De-cember 2011 by the Program Assistant Ms Msekiwa Matsimbe. During the visit, the following was ac-complished; Tour of facilities, identification of rooms for voucher specimen collec-tion, program to develop strategies to maintain voucher specimens, engage-ment of personnel for data collection and collation for the fish database, students progress reporting, revised programs for manuscript preparation and publication for various studies, synthesis of results and development of policy briefs, planning for a possible BioFISA phase II. Room identified for rehabilitation and placement of

Voucher specimen at the University of Zambia (UNZA), Zambia

Dr Cyprian Katongo displaying some of the pre-served fish samples collected in Zambia

P A G E 2

By Msekiwa Matsimbe

The Fish Node staff was trained in website and database management on 2nd September and later on 26th Septem-ber, 2011 at Wamkulu Palace in Lilongwe, Malawi. The training was facilitated by the website and database ex-pert Ms Shalom Ghambi. The fish node staff was equipped with skills in website de-velopment, webpage editing, webfile management, data-base editing (database management) and web security is-sues. This is to enhance quality and timely updates of the websites, webbased databases and online surverys initiated and being run by the BioFISA Fish Project and Afrifishnet for enhanced visibility and publicity of various activities being implemented by the programs.

Fish Node Staff Trained In Website And Database Management

Fish Node staff participating in the website and database management training at Wamkulu

Palace, Lilongwe.

University of Zambia and Bunda College Technicians Trained in Fish Museum Establishment in RSA, 15-25 June 2012

By Msekiwa Matsimbe Under the auspices of BioFISA Fish Project, the NEPAD Regional Fish Node in liaison with South Afri-can Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) organ-ized a training course on “Voucher Specimen Collec-tion and Maintenance” which was held between 15tt

and 25th June, 2012 in Grahamstown, South Africa. The main training facilitator was SAIAB’s Collections Manager, Roger Bills. The objective of the training was to equip partici-pants with knowledge and skills in: Principles of collection and maintenance of fish

specimen; Methods of Field collection including equipment

needed and field sheets design; Techniques used when collecting specimen

(photography, dissections, skeletonisation) Data organization and database management

Strategies in maintenance of the voucher speci-men (museum curation).

The participants of the training were two laboratory technicians Mr Allan Siamwenya and Mr Camerson Ghambi from the University of Zambia and Bunda College respectively. The technicians are expected to facilitate the rehabilitation and setting up rooms for reference fish collections in their respective in-stitutions .

Allan and Camerson being tained in fish collection and field sheets design by SAIAB personel (Roger Bills)

Allan and Camerson (right) being trained in fish identifica-tion by Roger Bills and Paul Skelton (left)

BioFISA Fish Project

P A G E 3

Celebrating Four Years of BioFISA Phase I

BioFISA Fish Project

By Msekiwa Matsimbe BioFISA Programme will hold Closure Conference, under the theme, “Celebrating Four Years of BioFISA Programme” at Irene Country Lodge, Centu-rion from September 3-5, 2012. The purpose of this conference is to present the BioFISA programme outcomes, challenges and lessons. The outcome of the evaluation of BioFISA I has con-firmed the commitment of parties towards SANBio and the need for continuing Finnish support into the 2nd Phase of the programme from 2013-2016. There-fore, the outcomes and recommendations of this con-ference will inform the planning process for BioFISA Phase II. In addition, the Conference will provide an opportunity for sharing experiences with other biosci-ences based networks as models for networking. A wide array of keynote papers will be presented in-cluding the following: The role and relevance of networks in STI in Af-

rica

Case studies from “Bioinnovate” and “Research for Health (R4H) in Africa” on how to form dy-namic networks of biosciences across different countries

The status of collaborative research in biosci-ences in Southern Africa

The Southern Africa Innovation Systems (SAIS)

A Model for a successful commercial edible and medicinal mushroom business in Africa

Value-added strategies for cultivation of mush-room in Western Kenya

Innovation and commercialization of biotech pro-jects: A case of TIA, South Africa

Why communication is important within and out-side of a network, program or project

Financing STI BioFISA project results will also be presented by the various established nodes; Namibia (Mushroom), Mau-ritius (Bioinformatics), South Africa (IKS), Zambia (Livestock & Plant Genetic Resources) and Malawi (Fisheries). The Fish Node will present the outcomes of the Fish Biodiversity project which include: Increased access to and generation of biodiversity, biological and eco-logical information on riverine fisheries and aquacul-ture production technologies (www.nepadsanbiofishnode.org); capacity building in fish biology and biodiversity research of riverine fishes and Increased public awareness of the impor-tance of conserving fish biodiversity. The inter-governmental agreement on BioFISA be-tween the Government of South Africa-Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Finnish Minis-try for Foreign Affairs was signed in December 2008 and the first Phase of the programme was launched in the beginning of 2009. The programme ends in Sep-tember, 2012. The BioFISA budget is in total approxi-mately 3.9 million euros, with Finland contributing 3 million euros and South Africa 9 million ZAR. In addi-tion, the programme has benefitted from in-kind funding from the participating countries and institu-tions, most notably the CSIR.

Petri Karppinen (Finish Telemetry Expert) and Titus Phiri (Fisheries staff) viewing boat in a Mpasa Telemetry Feasi-

bility Study, Sangabay-Salima

Bunda College Staff and Dr Olaf Weyl of South Africa Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) in one of the Fish diversity

surveys in Bua River, Nkhotakota

Ian Bbole-Zambia MSc Student John Stima– Tanzania MSc Student Msekiwa Matsimbe – Malawi MSc Student

P A G E 4

AWG/Afri-FishNET— Achievements (Program of NEPAD Partnership for African Fisheries (PAF))

By John Kamanga

The Aquaculture Policy Working Group (AWG) was approved in May 2010 with the overall purpose that at a strategic re-gional level, established via the PAF through a sectoral framework, aquaculture development is guided by practical ap-proaches based on realistic perspectives on markets, technologies, and resource, social and financial impacts, thereby

guiding better policy and permitting sound investment tar-geting at all levels. Since its establishment, AWG has man-aged to register a number of achievements and outputs which include: Participation in the development of the post-CAADP

Compact National Fisheries Investment Plans for Ghana (October 2010) and Malawi (July 2011). The Plan in Ghana has formed the basis for the World Bank funding for the Fisheries Development Program; while in Malawi the review is expected to improve the returns on in-vestments in large-scale aquaculture investments.

Preparation of a paper (The role of African fisheries

and aquaculture in the CAADP) which was presented to the Conference of African Ministers of Fisheries & Aquaculture (CAMFA) in Banjul, Gambia in September 2010. This raised the profile of Aquaculture Policy Working Group and Afri-FishNet activities.

Hosting the Africa study tour for the Africa-Britain-

China (ABC) Trilateral relationship delegates, 17-24th January 2011.

AWG has also facilitated a number of case studies; Review of trade, markets, value chain develop-

ment, strategic investment and innovative public-private partnership in aquaculture in Africa.

Needs Analysis of the Aquaculture Sector in Malawi.

Aquaculture in Ghana; It’s potential to be a signifi-cant contributor to national fish supplies.

Technical reviews on environmental capacity and management, climate change response/adaptation, and aquatic system health – at regional and conti-nental level.

Strategic review on Aquaculture feeds and feed supply in Africa.

Strategic review on African aquaculture markets and export potential.

Strategic review on aquaculture seed supply in Af-rica.

Facilitated the establishment of African Fisheries Ex-perts Network (Afri-Fishnet) as a CAADP Expert Pool of Fisheries (see www.afri-fishnet.com); The members of the Network have been involved in the review of the CAADP Compacts in countries which have signed their Compacts and identified fisheries as one of the key drivers of the 6% annual growth in agriculture.

AWG through Afri-Fishnet evaluated the Uganda Fisher-ies Project and produced a project completion report in May 2011.

Production of PAF-AWG-Afri-Fishnet Newsletters (see www.afri-fishnet.com).

AWG through Afri-Fishnet Conducted a collaborative Afri-Fishnet and ANAFE online study on tertiary fisher-ies training and experiential learning in June 2011.

The AWG/Afr-FishNet secretariat has been at the heart of planning and coordinating the 10th biannual Confer-ence of the Aquaculture Association for Southern Af-rica (AASA) conference which was held from 13 to 16 September 2011, at San and Sand Holiday Resort in Salima District, Malawi, Central Africa.

AWG organized and coordinated a NEPAD- PAF Side Event for Supported Fish Farmers at the 10th AASA Biannual Conference. The farmers were drawn from COREP / ECCAS Region, Mozambique, Kenya, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Uganda, Ghana, and Tan-zania.

AWG supported two of its members to represent it at the International Aquaculture Business Conference, in Mozambique between 9 and 10th November, 2011, organized by Ministry of Fisheries of Mozambique

AWG coordinated an AWG-ANAF harmonization meet-ing which took place in Jinja , Uganda between 23-25 November 2011

AWG thru Afri-Fisnet in collaboration with ANAFE con-ducted Sensitization Conference for Engaging French Speaking Sub Saharan African Tertiary Agricultural Education Institutions into the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) from 28 to 30 November 2011 at the Sembene Ousmane Con-ference Hall of Azalai Hotel, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

AWG Coordinated the PaCFA fisheries and aquaculture day in the African Pavilion during COP-17 which took place in Durban, from 28th November to 9th December 2011 on behalf of the NEPAD Agency. The side event was scheduled for December 2011.

To enhance implementation of PAF project, RFN hired a Program Assistant in April 2011.

Africa-Britain-China deligates on one of the Aquaculture Facilities in Malawi, Southern Africa (January 2011)

AWG/AFRI-FISHNET ISSUES

P A G E 5

Progress on Ruforum Community Action Research Program (CARP)-Fish Project

By Edward Kabaghe

The Community Action Research Programme (CARP)-Fish project which aims at Enhancing Fish Production and Marketing for Food Security and Rural Incomes of Small-scale Producers in Malawi has clocked one year in De-cember 2011 in Dowa and Mchinji with a total of 68 framers. Since its inception the following has been achieved; sensitization meetings with the District Assemblies and later carried out a stakeholder analysis to identify the key

Farmers attending training in book and record keeping

Getting ready for business. Pond Construction at peak

Farmers after receiving the inputs

stakeholders that are already working on the ground in imple-menting fish farming programmes. The aim of this was to en-sure ownership and collaboration with interested parties to help identify best practices and co-design the pilot experien-tial models of value chain and specifically for them to assure the functionality of the CARP in the area. An exploratory sur-vey was then conducted which was followed by an inception meeting where the work plan was formulated together with farmers and partners.

The fish farmers are now in five farmer groups; four in Mchinji and one in dowa district. The fish farmers have been trained according to their needs in terms of knowledge. The training included pond construction and management, book and record keeping and Marketing. “This project has a different ap-proach, it is taking us step by step up the ladder of success and we being involved in most of the activities hence making us feel that it is our thing” said one of the farmers in Mchinji. Farmers are now increasing the number of their ponds so that they should have least 1000m2 as a total pond surface area in preparation for high volume in terms of fish harvest. To facili-tate the ponds expansion activities, farmers were given a small loan of inputs to use in pond construction.

The project recruited two masters students (Ms Priscilla Longwe and Ms Lisungu Banda) and 1 PhD Student (Mr Dalo Njera) who are engaging fish farmers in research on best bet technologies for aquaculture production, effective fish mar-keting strategies and critical success factors in fish farmer organisations. Currently, Ms Priscilla longwe has stocked fish in 24 farmers ponds in dowa district on 3rd February 2012 to test the combined effect of feeding, feeding trays and plastic sheeting on fish growth in earthen ponds. While Lisungu is analysing data and Dalo is working on his research proposal. CARP Fish project has developed links with Jomo Kenyata Uni-versity of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) through a Mas-ters student who was studying research methods there and is working in CARP project at NEPAD SANBio office. CARP has is also building capacity at Mzuzu University by training its mem-ber of staff to a PhD level.

The CARP project is funded by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). The project is coordinated by NEPAD Regional Fish Node and has the follow-ing partners: Bunda College, National Aquaculture Centre (Government Department of Fisheries), World Fish Center, Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), Trustees in Agriculture Pro-motion Programme (TAPP), Green Belt Initiative, Initiative for Development and Equity in African Agriculture (IDEAA), DFIDs Research Into Use, Commission of Science and Technology and Kawjo Foundation.

RUFORUM CARP FISH PROJECT

P A G E 6

RUFORUM CARP FISH PROJECT LAUNCHED IN DOWA DISTRICT

In a bid to increase fish production levels from 750kg/ha/yr to 1500kg/ha/yr, a Community Action Research Project (CARP) is working with 68 farmers in Dowa and Mchinji Districts. The launch was organized together with the farmers to increase awareness of the project activities and link fish farmers with different actors in the fish value chain. The representative of Dowa Dis-trict Commissioner officially launched harvesting of fish from the fish ponds. More than 150 participants which including fish farmers from Lilongwe and Mchinji districts, Dowa district as-sembly staff, Bunda College staff (Faculty of Environ-mental studies and aquaculture department staff), rep-resentative from different institutions acting in aqua-culture value chain such as MALDECO, Total Land Care, WALA, Press Trust, Innovative Fish Farmers Network Trust (IFFNT) and media. The function was also at-tended by 5 CARP partners; IDEEA, Research Into Use (RIU), Kawjo Foundation, World Vision International (WVI), National Aquaculture Center (NAC) and CARP students Supervisors. At a dramatic event at the launch, , 30 kgs of fish were

sold for MK70,000 though a bidding exercise where prices ranges from Mk800-4000/kg. Subsequently, other sales were made at the Dowa District Market and in Lilongwe where the demand was good enough for the supply. A total Harvest of 497.63 kilograms and a total sales of about MK342,080 was made and which was dis-tributed amongst the 8 farmers depending on their indi-vidual harvests. This was the first harvest from the first fish farmer group in Dowa District. From the experience it was noted that If the fish farm-ers were to get established in the fish farming business, they require to become self reliance in terms of proper transportation to access other markers by themselves; there is also need for regulation on input prices such as that of fingerlings by the government to avoid high cost of production and exploitation by input suppliers. The farmers also require proper storage facilities (cold rooms) at district markets and access to cooler boxes. Further farmers have to be trained in value addition practices such as processing of fish into different form. Anchor firms such as MALDECO, can provide improved delivery services and capacity building to these farm-ers.

RUFORUM CARP FISH PROJECT

Fish Farmers removing clear plastic pond cover for fish harvest during the Launch

Mrs Mala Zimba (Dowa District Commissioner Representative) in a brief meeting with the Prof E. Kaunda (CARP Coordinator)

during the Launch

Part of the fish harvest

Fish sales through bidding by CARP PhD student (Dalo Njera) during the launch

P A G E 7

Why is the Establishment of Fish Farmer Organisations With Well Articulated Institutional Arrangements Essential for Fish Farming?

By Dalo Njera

In a bid to promote effective fish farming as viable invest-ment for local communities, CARP used a people-centred approach in the establishment of the fish farmer organisa-tions in Dowa and Mchinji district. People-centred approach is the approach where local communities take a leading role in decision-making in any initiative using some of their re-sources. The rationale for this approach was to promote involvement of local communities in all phases of the pro-ject implementation, beginning with participatory planning exercises that identified local needs and adapt the project design to local circumstances. This mode of approach was vital as it provided a much greater understanding of the local social and economic issues which influence participa-tion of local communities in fish farming activities. The creation of fish farmer organisations was one of the main strategies for ensuring community mobilization and promoting cohesion amongst fish farmers. These organisa-tions established institutional arrangements to promote effi-ciency among the members of these institutions. This entails that the members of the institutions follow particular rules and norms to accomplish specified goals in undertaking fish farming activities. The institutional arrangements play significant roles in fish farmer organisations through guaranteeing expected behav-

iour of members of the organisations. The rules and regulations impose sanctions for breaking rules and give rewards for behaving in a prescribed manner; hence they ensure collective identity of the members which is an important element for effective and sus-tainable fish farmer organisations. To this effect, the local fish farmer organisations imply a group of people within the society who follow particular rules and norms for sustainable management and utilisation of fisheries resources within their local communities. The main functions undertaken by the members of the CARP fish farmer organisations include setting strate-gic goals and building consensus amongst communities for effective fish farming activities through identifica-tion of their needs, priorities and opportunities for fish farming. They are also involved in negotiating roles, responsibilities, accountability, benefit sharing and conflict resolution mechanisms for the implementation of fish farming activities. Thus, local fish farmer insti-tutions provide an organisational structure that pro-vides opportunities for mobilization of local communi-ties to engage in effective and sustainable fish farming activities hence the need for well articulated institu-tional arrangements for their effective performance and undertake fish farming as a robust and viable in-vestment.

Some members of Khumbireni fish farmer organisation in Dowa during focus group discussions

RUFORUM CARP PFISHROJECT

P A G E 8

The ‘magnetic force’ of Community Action Research Programme in promoting adoption of fish farming in Mchinji and Dowa Districts

By Dalo Njera

The Community Action Research Programme (CARP) has now clocked a year since its inception in March 2011. The programme aims to increase fish production of 60 fish farmers in Dowa and Mchinji from 750kg per ha per year to at least 1500kg per ha per year. To achieve this target, several strategies were formu-lated. Two of the major strategies include implemen-tation of best bet practices and technologies in pond management and establishment of local level fish farmer institutions. These local fish farmer institu-tions or organisations have an important bearing on the promotion of fish farming in the project sites within the two districts. The significance of the fish farmer organisations is evidenced through collective efforts in undertaking fish farming activities. The effectiveness of the fish farmers’ collectivism is accomplished through formulation of institutional ar-rangements that were put in place during the estab-lishment of the organisations with facilitation from CARP staff. The institutional arrangements within the farmer organisations have an overriding influence on enhancing cohesion and solidarity amongst members of the farmer organisations in carrying out fish farm-ing activities. Some of the institutional arrangements include payment of membership fees, participation in monthly meetings and monitoring of pond manage-ment activities. In addition, some members of the organisations take up an important role of advising their fellow fish farmers on the technical aspects of fish farming. Notwithstanding these collective efforts shown by the CARP fish farmers, it has also been re-vealed that members of the local fish farmer institu-tions have better opportunities and are more amena-ble to access extension services as compared to other fish farmers who undertake fish farming activities on an individual basis in the area. Through these collective efforts of CARP fish farmer organisations, a lot is being achieved in promoting fish farming. For instance, according to preliminary results of the CARP baseline study which was carried out in January 2012, there has been an estimated 2 percent increase in the number of people engaged in fish farming in the project sites in both Dowa and Mchinji . The number and sizes of ponds in these areas have also increased significantly largely due to the fact that new members or groups of fish farmers are emerging as a direct influence of the CARP project and through modeling and instrumental conditioning from the members of CARP.

The fish farmer organisations are therefore known to provide individual farmers with a legitimate social space to foster a sense of solidarity and collective action. This is critical to building more effective ways of organizing farmers and promote their capacity to innovate, facili-tate the sharing of experiences, knowledge and skills and strengthening their human and social capital, hence re-vealing the ‘magnetic force’ of Community Action Re-search in promoting adoption of fish farming in Mchinji and Dowa Districts.

A farmer who recently adopted fish farming through social learning from CARP fish farmers in Guwende village in tradi-

tional authority Mamvere in Mchinji district.

One of the fish ponds in traditional authority Mkanda in Mchinji which justify the positive impact of CARP

RUFORUM CARP FISH PROJECT

P A G E 9

Bunda College and its Stakeholders Participate in Experiential Learning Training Workshop (30th July-3rd August, 2012)

By Chimwemwe German

RUFORUM CARP FISH PROJECT

A 5-day workshop was organized for staff members of Bunda College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (formerly University of Malawi) and their partners at the Korea Garden Lodge, Lilongwe, as an integral activity of the ACP-S&T funded “From Out-reach to Engagement” Project. It was the first of a planned cycle of 3 workshops, implemented parallel to a similar cycle for two other African Partner Universi-ties in the Project, i.e. Makerere, College of Agricul-ture and Environmental Sciences in Uganda and Moi Univesity, Chepkoilel College in Kenya. The workshop was facilitated by Dr Conny Almel-kinders from Wagengen University in the Netherlands and Prossy Isubikalu from Makerere University, Uganda. The main focus of the workshop was on the concepts and practice of experiential learning, and was intended to lead to concrete actions of applying

experiential learning to a targeted number of aca-demic courses and/or programmes. The workshop was officially opened by Principal of Bunda College, Professor Moses Kwapata. In his speech the Principal endorsed the objectives and pointed the need to share this project and process more widely with other staff in the University. Twenty five (25) participants attended the opening session which was covered in the national news on Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC-TV) and Zodiak Broadcasting radio Station (ZBS). From the workshop, Opportunities to incorporate Ex-periential Learning in four postgraduate and under-graduate programmes/courses were identified and action plans to improve specific teaching programmes were formulated.

Principal of Bunda College, Prof MB Kwapata officially opening the Experiential Learning Workshop in Lilongwe

Bunda College staff and partners participating in the Experien-tial Learning Workshop

Participants of the Experiential Learning Workshop at Korea Garden, Lilongwe, 30th July-3rd August, 2012

P A G E 1 0

Communication Made Simple With Blackberry Messenger at the NEPAD Regional Fish Node

By Lisungu Banda As a strategy to get communi-cation on board, almost every-one in the Regional Fish Node was encouraged to access a Blackberry smart phone for instant messaging with col-legues and other friends. The smart phone does not only give instant feedback on emails, it has a unique facility called Blackberry Messenger (BBM) for

instant individual and group messaging. The BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) is a big part of the lives of many BlackBerry Smartphone users today, including those from the NEPAD Regional Fish Node (RFN) in Malawi. Some things are better and easily shared! BBM is a great way to collaborate, and it easily gets everyone up to speed not only on the latest tools that the Smartphone offers but also on instant messages from office colleagues. The Blackberry cell phone offers a number of services, with the new BBM 6, it’s now easier to share office documents and items with colleagues and friends in contacts. A black-berry subscriber can also share calendar items, voice notes, locations, pictures, files and music as shown below despite the location, when one travels one is able to get instant feedback.

For example, if I’ve changed the location of a meeting that I’m hosting or I’ve decided to meet up with some-one elsewhere, it’s easy for me to let my contacts know instantly by sending an updated invite on my current location. Sharing both files and links has become easier, I don’t have to search for an internet Café, it is instant! With my Regional Fish Node Group on BBM, I get to com-municate and cut costs on calling fish node staff when I want to talk. For sure life has been made easy. Get sub-scribed to blackberry as an office and see how manage-ment is made simple!

A number of social networks have instant messaging which can be accessed on Blackberries including the professional Net-work linkedIn, social networks such as Facebook (Fish Node and Afri-Fishnet) and on twitter (@fishnode) which the fishNode is on. Follow us!! In Malawi, Blackberry subscrip-tion is being provided by Airtel Malawi and Telecom Networks Malawi (TNM). Blackberry has improved work efficiency in the Node! Thanks to Research into Motion!!

One of the BBM conversations between Msekiwa and Lisungu on Fish Node office issues

RFN group conversations on BBM

FISH NODE UPDATES

P A G E 1 1

Capacity Building at The Fish Node - Lest we forget

The Fish Node and Students Research: PART 1 By Lisungu Banda Post–graduate education constitutes a particular investment – whether personal or national – it is a source of human capital. Being a center of excellence for the coordinating and facilitating the state of the art in re-search, the fish Node has it at heart capacity building of Africans scientists. The need for postgraduate re-search training seems obvious but has not been realized structurally in many African Countries. Postgraduate research is of utmost importance as it helps researchers contribute to society through innovative discoveries and new understandings. Ever since its designation in 2006, the Fish Node has engaged a number of postgradu-ate students in different projects to enhance fisheries and aquaculture research under the supervision of Pro-fessor Emmanuel Kaunda.

Ms Matsimbe defended her project title “Fish Diversity Of Two Major Inlet Rivers Of Lake Malawi: Spatial And Temporal Changes In Relation To Land Cover” in December 2011, while Mr. John Stima is currently doing his research work on “Genetic Diversity and Structure of Patamodronous Fresh water Mpasa(O. Microlepis) Gunther 1984 in Lake Malawi” in col-laboration with the Chancellor College Biology department. Mr Boole is currently at the University of Zambia focusing on “the relationship between fish anthropogenic activities and fish Biodiversity in the Kafue River” The Node is currently imple-menting the Community Action Research Programm (CARP) which has 1 PhD student Mr Dalo Njera and two MSc stu-dents, Ms Priscilla Longwe, focusing on “Combined Effects Of Feed, Feed Trays And Clear Plastic Sheetings On Growth, Survival, Water Quality Of Profitability Of Culture Of O.Shirunas In Earthen Ponds In Dowa District” and Ms Lisungu Banda from Agricultural and Applied Economics department focusing on the “Analysis Of The Performance Of The Aqua-culture Marketing System Along the Value Chain”.

With funds from RUFORUM in 2006, Mr. Moses Limuwa and Mr. Stanley Mvula were engaged in working on their MSc studies on “Age and Growth Of Opsaridium Microlepis (Mpasa) and the Influence Of Water Quality Pa-rameters On Opsaridium Microlepis Catches in the Linthipe River in Cen-tral Malawi” and “Factors Influencing Choice of Fishing Location Among Chilimira and Gillnet Artisanal Fishers On Lake Malawi” respectively. Mr. Limuwa is currently working with the University of Malawi, Bunda College as the Acting Programmes Coordinator while Mr. Mvula is currently in Man-gochi District with the ministry of Ag-riculture and Food Security, Depart-ment of Fisheries.

In addition, Mrs. Annie Zidana was also engaged and did her MSc research on “Factors Influencing Cultivation Of The Lilongwe And Linthipe River Banks In Malawi: A Case Study Of Salima District” The paper on her study is available online at http://adsabs.harvard.edu//abs/2007JApSc...7.3334Z

Ms Chimwemwe Salima, who did her MSc in Research Methods at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology also benefitted from the Node by doing her research attach-ments with the Fish farmers in Dowa District from December 2010 - Decem-ber 2011. Her research topic was on “The Effect Of Clear Plastic Sheeting On Fish Growth And Pond Productiv-

ity”. Ms Salima is currently coordinating the CARP fish pro-ject at the Fish Node.

The fish biodiversity project funded by the South African and Finnish governments (BioFISA) through the Fish Node also supported three masters students; Ms Msekiwa Mat-simbe (Malawian) and two international Students, Mr. John Stima (Tanzania) and Mr. Ian Boole (Zambia).

Moses Limuwa

Stanley Mvula

Chimwemwe Salima

Msekiwa Matsimbe

Lisungu Banda

Priscilla Longwe

John Stima

FISH NODE UPDATES

THE NEPAD REGIONAL FISH NODE

A center of excellence for coordinating and facilitating the state of art of research and dissemination on

fisheries and aquaculture in Africa

www.nepadsanbiofishnode.org