Fisheries resources play a very important role in Malawi’s national economy, in terms of food and nutritional security of the population.  It contributes about 60-70% of annual animal protein supply of the nation. In fact, fish is the readily available source of animal proteins consumed in small amounts among Malawian daily meals, thereby nutritionally supplementing essential amino acids in their diet. Fisheries sector provides source of employment to over 300,000 people through fishing and its associated activities. The sector contributes about 4% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with a beach value of about US$15 million on an annual basis. In addition, fisheries resources provide a source of livelihood to about 1 million people (about 10% of nation’s population) in the lakeshore districts.

Although the first introductions of rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) into the cold water of the Mulunguzi Stream on the Zomba Plateau took place in 1906, colonial Nyasaland received relatively little development on aquaculture during the first half of the 20th century. Indeed, throughout Malawi’s history, the majority of fish consumed has come from capture fisheries, and even prior to the arrival of colonialism, there are records of some inland communities maintaining close trading relationships with lakeshore communities to exchange staple foods and labour for fish. The main species currently farmed in both small-holder and commercial aquaculture operations in Malawi are the three tilapia species - Tilapia rendalli, Oreochromis shiranus, O. karongae - and the catfish Clarias gariepinus. The three tilapia species account for 93% of the production, catfish for 5%, and exotic species such as common carp, black bass (Micropterus sp.) and trout 2%. Extension services have promoted a fingerling stocking density of 2-3 fish per m² to accommodate the inferior nutritional content of the commonly used farm by-products in Malawi, principally maize bran and green manure.  In 2002, NAC estimated total aquaculture activity in the country to produce 800 T of fish, with varying yields, depending on the level of intensification, from around 500 kg/ha/year to 2,316 kg/ha/year. The most recent government statistics report the existence of 7,000-8,000 fishponds covering an estimated total area of 208 ha.