Lake Malombe

Lake Malombe is one of Malawi's substantial lakes, with an area of about 450km². It was probably once part of Lake Malawi, as it lies in a depression that is, in geological terms, nearby.

Malombe is very shallow, and large portions of it evaporate in the dry season to expose tracts of fertile land, which the locals use to grow sugar cane and maize. When they're not farming the locals are fishing, laying out the millions of little chambo they catch on reed tables in the sun to dry.

In fact Malombe (like Malawi's other lakes) is in serious danger of being overfished.[/b] In 2003/4 the Malawian government implemented a plan to combat the depletion of its fish resources, which are a local staple. The aim was that by 2010 chambo stocks should return to their 1990 levels. It remains to be seen whether the plan meets with success.

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