Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted on Malawi’s fishing industry.

For instance, in 2020, Viphya Chambo fish farm produced 500,000 fingerlings, down by half from 1 million fingerlings produced in 2019.

Speaking to YFM, Viphya Chambo’s Manager, Manasseh Mwangonde, attributed the dwindling production to lack of access to essential equipment such as oxygen cylinders due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

“The coming in of Covid-19 has put pressure on the availability of oxygen cylinders on the market which has impacted the survival rate of fingerlings,” said Mwangonde.

“Apart from this it has also affected the workforce since some people have been laid off work due to the pandemic as well which has also impacted production.”