Larry, a few Q's on the ANDs and plant transplanting status

[emartin]

Larry how successful are the ANDs in catching nets and keeping fishermen out of the fish nursery shallows (in other words, are the areas where they are located seeing improvements yet or is that something that will take time for the fish to return to those areas?)? And any idea how the aquatic plant transplanting is doing there? I remember hearing that some areas are completely devoid of plants now when they used to be packed, and that the plants are vital since they are used as nurseries for fry...

And to forum lurkers who aren't familiar with the ANDs, check out this website:http://www.cichlidpress.com/smgfund/index.html

~Ed

[Larry Johnson]

Larry how successful are the ANDs in catching nets and keeping fishermen out of the fish nursery shallows (in other words, are the areas where they are located seeing improvements yet or is that something that will take time for the fish to return to those areas?)?
The above link is a great "read" with video that I took back in 2006.It gives you an idea of how big these nets are and how the fisherman use them.

First off,these National Park Territories extend 100 meters from the shoreline.As some of you know (from Pam or I during our chat night) the fisherman never throw anything back,they eat everything!
Policing of this vast area is non-existant.
So the Government has handed the Maleris Islands over to a group of people to look after.
I would guess there was many nights of talking about over collection, amoungst other things,the collection for eating purposes. With the Government sanction, to hand over the Islands, came with it a responsibility to protect them.
The 'Ands' device itself was developed by Allan Pitman but engineered by Nigel (can't remember his last name!) He tried and tested the device and found very quickly that it in fact worked very well.
Now Ad and I heard of this way back in 2006 and stopped by Nancoma Island on our way back at the end of out trip that year to speak with Nigel and get some pics of the actual unit.
Unfortunetly Nigel was not on the Island that day.
The next year while I was in Malawi diving,Stuart passed away,,,Ad and I talked with Nigel and I stopped by yet again and he was not at the island,,,Ad had asked me to go there and get some pics.
Ad caught up to him the following year and in January and learned more about the device.Getting some "OK" pics of the unit in action,but the better pics were taken last year (2008) while leading a group from the U.S. while on Safaris.
The "Ands" device is quite simple but truley works great. There is a floating device made to snag the nets as they are dragged through the water.It does not cut them,it holds them!
This device is anchored to a heavily anchored item,something large and heavy enough that 2-4 men cannot pick up,even while in their small boats or dugout canoes,from above.
The device cannot be seen from the surface as it is suspended over the bottom,but under the surface,so as to have a stealth mode!
In doing so the net is lost! Yes the whole 'rig'.
Presently this is keeping the fisherman away!
To you and me,this would be nothing (losing a net),to them its like us losing our car,and even more.This is a MAJOR LOSS!
So how successful is it? VERY!
In the beginning there was the thought of ,,,How do we service all these 'Ands" ? The devices were getting so thick with netting that it was rendering them almost useless (pers.comm with Nigel),,,and there were some that were serviced,,,but now the fisherman know they are there and are either using hook and line (not a good solution) or staying away from the shores of the Malaris.
IMO the area's where I have been diving for years seem to have more fish (Nakentenga Island, is one of the Maleris group) and in this location I found 4 'Ands'.

As far as transplanting the plants,I am not aware of anything like this that will be done,,,,I had heard it mentioned that the plants will likely come back on their own,,,as these often drift into these shallows from other parts of the lake.
As well,not all fish use weed beds to spawn in or fry to grow in,but this is a vital part of the habitat to help sustain what is there.
There is no doubt that when the weed beds re-establish,,,those fish will start to thrive again.
I have visited the Chembe Village area at Cape McClear and in front of the Fisheries office the plant beds are doing well,,,,there are thousands of fish there now! The obvious deterent here is that this area is out front,or close to,the fisheries!
Seeing the shallows plant beds coming back will take some time for me to really access because I only go once a year.If I was there full time I would (and still may,,,,I have two months!) add some plants there myself this year!

Whew,did I cover that?:shocked:
You guys here on this site ask some great question!

Cheers,Larry

[emartin]

This is where I found out about the plant transplanting: http://www.cichlidpress.com/smgfund/smgfund06.html

Anyway are there particular numbers you could estimate, or species, or just examples for example of fish reappearing that weren't seen there for years for example? For example are there particular species or variants that were almost wiped out by the overfishing bouncing back significantly yet?

Thanks for taking the time to answer that question...I saw on your profile that you started replying at 12:11am and was waiting for you to eventually hit submit :lol:....

~Ed

[Larry Johnson]

Thanks,I remember reading that,,,but was more interested in the"Ands" part,,,so I guess it didn't sink in.
I did ask Ad about Metriclima xanstomachus,I had never observed it at the islands before,,,it seems to have popped up from no where. It was probably there all along but in such few numbers I probably missed it.Larger Haps seem to be back at larger sizes,,,there were always smaller ones there,but now they seem to have gotten bigger.
I have only been going to these islands for the last 10 years so I'm not sure what was there before I started going,but as I dive there more and more ,if I had missed some species then they will re-appear as their numbers reach higher levels.
I would doubt,due to the rocky bottom that whole species would have been wiped out,their fry are to small and evasive for capture.(we're hoping)
Over all,during last years dives around Nakentenga and Nancoma,,the numbers seemed that they were up,IMO.
I saw on your profile that you started replying at 12:11am and was waiting for you to eventually hit submit ....
I guess you were waiting a long time!:lookaround:

Cheers,Larry

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

Great input Larry!

[fischfan13]

I'm not sure if I am going too far off topic, but...

How much resistance are AND's met with by the locals?
I am sure, just like other countries, there are opposing groups to every little thing that is being done.
You must have those trying to survive by eating any fish they can catch.
You must have those trying to survive by fishing for the "hobbyists".
I would assume that there is a chance that foreigners would be met with some resistance, especially by those trying to fish for a meal.

[Larry Johnson]

No these questions all apply,but you have to understand they have NO concept of conservation,they think,like we once did.
How much resistance are AND's met with by the locals?
'Ands 'are a steath tactic,they know only that the nets are gone and learn quickly in that respect not to fish there.
They know they are NOT suposed to be fishing there, so what can they really say?
I would think that the word may be getting around,so they choose to fish else where.Losing a net is a BIG deterrent.
I am sure, just like other countries, there are opposing groups to every little thing that is being done.
Malawi is a bit different,there are no such groups,they have their 'Chief',and he might voice an opinion,but they have not,after all they know they are not to fish there.
"Opposing groups" is not something they would understand.This is not the nature of Malawians.
You must have those trying to survive by fishing for the "hobbyists".
Those who may want to work for the exporter have to be hired. Collecting fish for export is not something everyone,or even a few do.They catch fish to eat.The average Malawian that is out fishing is either fishing for himself,his village or is a private bussiness fisherman,,,he would sell fish to eat and make money.
The average fisherman has no idea about selling fish to us,unless it is to eat.
Not everyone who gets hired at the exporters actually catch fish! There are mechanics,boat builders,cooks,cleaners,servers,,,there's much more here.
There is no one that walks into the exporter and sells fish live,,,what would you expect them to sell? Would they have the knowledge of what you and I want?
His men know,,,exactly,what to catch,,,,there are no others around that develop this knowledge.
The manager of the fish house has the most knowledge and he sends the men out with a list of locations and what to collect,,,,there's no bringing back random fish that nobody will buy.
I would assume that there is a chance that foreigners would be met with some resistance, especially by those trying to fish for a meal.
How do they fight something that they cannot see!
Lets see,the Lake is 365 miles long,52 miles at the widest point,there are 12 rivers running into the lake.You CAN'T FISH within 100 meters of the Park shoreline,,,fish somewhere else!
I guess habits are hard to brreak,,,,except after the fish are gone,,,,then eveyone is outta luck!
At least the Government is listening! hmmm:shocked:

You are all invited to go next year!

Cheers,Larry

[emartin]

Are their any plans on placing them in other areas of the lake eventually, such as in areas where certain species are most threatened?

Or possibly in areas like those that are being replanted with Vallisneria and other aquatic plants to prevent nets from uprooting them?

By the way Larry I know what you mean about the locals. I was watching a travel show that took place in Malawi for that episode for a show called Globe Trekkers I think, and besides showing off the snorkel/scuba opportunities it showed a few of the islands including Chizumulu I believe and Likoma, including the chiefs and their roles with the locals...which I thought was very interesting...especially how they get torrented with gifts during certain events from local businessman and officials...

~Ed

[Larry Johnson]

Are their any plans on placing them in other areas of the lake eventually, such as in areas where certain species are most threatened?
Initally the Maleris are going to be first in line,then other area's of the park are going to be done,,,its a big job!
There may be a couple that stray into another area where we dive that is very good:shocked:
Or possibly in areas like those that are being replanted with Vallisneria and other aquatic plants to prevent nets from uprooting them?
These are the area's that are being done now around the Maleris Islands.

Cheers,Larry

[emartin]

Nice! Also let us know when you are there how the plants are doing in repopulating the shallow areas...

Anyway, what months are you going to be in Malawi?

[Larry Johnson]

Anyway, what months are you going to be in Malawi?
At this point it looks like the last week of August to November 1st.
Prime time to be there!
The weather at the start will be on the cool side there might be a bit of rain,but around the middle of September it will start to warm up,by October it will be very hot and the rainy season starts on November 4th.

Cheers,Larry

[Larry Johnson]

If you guys have any more questions on Lake Malawi,,,just mention my name in the subject line to draw my attention and I will hopefully see it.(or PM me)

Great questions so far.

Cheers,Larry

[bovsbaitboxes]

can I come with you LOL

[Larry Johnson]

Start saving for next year! Anyone can come,and I'm always looking for others to go!
This past year there were only 4 of us! Needless to say there was plenty of room on a 32 foot boat!

Cheers,Larry

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

Wow for anyone who's ever dreamed of going but thought that there's too many intangable's , what better way to do it than go with someone with intimate knowledge of the player's involved and drop you right over the fish and that could give you good accurate answer's to all your question's. Nice Offer Larry.

[Larry Johnson]

what better way to do it than go with someone with intimate knowledge of the player's involved
Exactly,I did this with Ad the first couple of years then hosted at Stuart Grants request my first Safaris in 2002.
I think last year was my 4 th or 5th one (Safaris Leader),sometimes Ad and I split a group,he lead the first week and I did the second.
Really you all can go,I let everyone know on all the sites that I visit/participate in.
All it takes is a bit of ingenuity and self dicicpline (and a seperate bank account!)
Putting $150 a month away could put you in Malawi every other,or every 3rd year!You really have to take this offer serious as its a once in a life time trip!
(Which I told my wife the first year I went)

There will be no Safaris this year,but I probably do one again next year,this 9 week Vacation work trip this year,is for me, a once in a life time event.
Here's what Stuart and I wrote up for previous trips,,,might detect an air of British in it!
http://home.cogeco.ca/~ductapediver2/Larry%20Johnson,MalawiSafaris2008Itinerary.htm

Next year might fill faster as I think the Brit's are coming!

Cheers,Larry

[emartin]

Any updates on the ANDs? Are they going to be deployed in other places other than the national park or for now just there? Are plants growing back yet?

Has anybody tried removing them or gave you guys any problems when installing them?

[Larry Johnson]

Sorry but no updates this year, we all went in another direction.
The owner of the 25 year lease on the Maleris Islands is selling out, he is taking a turn in his life and right now installing additional "ANDS" is up in the air. They are sitting there and its only a matter of getting them into the water,,,there are enoguh to complete the 3 islands,possibly a job for the new owner.
I am sure Ad will be in contact with the new owner when the time is right.
I had sent a message while making travel arrangements and I got no reply.
Ad is looking at working with another group to place "ANDS" around some other Islands in the Park in Malawi, but I have not heard back on that as yet.
It would have been nice to check back there this year but I had no way of getting to the island to see what was up and since there was no reply I did not make extra time for an adventure there.
The plan to install "ANDS" around the islands is supported by the Parks/Fisheries people,,,there is no hassle as the native people have no rights to claim an area of water that is not theirs to hassle anyone over.
On the other hand being supported by the Fisheries to protect the Island fish within 100 meters with gear that takes their nets should be concern enough not to fish there.
The "jungle telephone" is almost as fast as the internet! (The word gets around very fast!)

Cheers,Larry

[triscuit]

Nice read- thank you very much! I didn't know anything about this before.

The ANDs seem to be an elegant solution for a limited area, but I wonder how tangible it is as a long-term biodiversity conservation plan. While my background is environmental chemistry, I sat through enough wildlife ecology classes in grad school to think that the patchiness of any underwater deterrent operation would not be sufficient to salvage very many species. By effectively "fencing off" one area, subsistence fishing will only increase in an adjacent area.

Are any of the cichlid conservation groups working with the local folks to set up a new food source or cash crop? I am completely ignorant of the local socioeconomic conditions- but my instinct says that a land-based approach encouraging sustainable, entrepreneurial agriculture could go a long ways towards easing the pressure on fish stocks, and would be a natural accompaniment to the ANDs project.

[emartin]

Larry; are those extra ANDs going to be deployed eventually though, no matter what?

Please tell me the guy isn't selling the islands to some resort company!

[dogofwar]

Great points, Triscuit.

Matt

Nice read- thank you very much! I didn't know anything about this before.

The ANDs seem to be an elegant solution for a limited area, but I wonder how tangible it is as a long-term biodiversity conservation plan. While my background is environmental chemistry, I sat through enough wildlife ecology classes in grad school to think that the patchiness of any underwater deterrent operation would not be sufficient to salvage very many species. By effectively "fencing off" one area, subsistence fishing will only increase in an adjacent area.

Are any of the cichlid conservation groups working with the local folks to set up a new food source or cash crop? I am completely ignorant of the local socioeconomic conditions- but my instinct says that a land-based approach encouraging sustainable, entrepreneurial agriculture could go a long ways towards easing the pressure on fish stocks, and would be a natural accompaniment to the ANDs project.