Fish species are dwindling in Lake Malawi due to unprofessional and illegal fishing practices.

Meanwhile, experts and traditional leaders in Nkhotakota have agreed to take punitive measures against fishermen using outlawed methods.

Chief Fisheries Extension Officer Urban Pulaizi said the government was worried with the continued extinction of fish species in the lake.

It is believed there were over 800 fish species in Lake Malawi.

“The extinction of the fish species is due to the use of outlawed fishing methods which include the use of mosquito nets,” said Pulaizi.

He called on organizations to help fight the extinction of some fish stocks and bring back into the lake the extinct fish species.

Pulaizi, however, said Malawi flagship fish, Chambo is not under extinction although its stocks might be dwindling in the lake.

Traditional leaders in Nkhotakota have since pledged to improve local bylaws in a bid to take to book fishermen using illegal methods.