According to Beach Village Committees (BVCs) in Mangochi, some commercial fishers are occupying restricted fishing areas with illegal fishing gear.

The misfortune arrives amidst a struggling fisheries sector which has seen dwindling amounts in fish, while off-season fishing has been rampant. On the other hand, the scarcity of fish in Lake Malawi saw prices being hiked, while Chambo fish was reported to be facing extinction.

According to Mangochi district fisheries officer Neverson Msusa, there are fines imposed on offenders, a measure that has seen a decrease in illegal fishing. Earlier in March this year, a project aimed at restoring the fisheries industry was launched, known as Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Livelihoods in Lake Malawi (Refresh), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).