“…Results also showed that degraded rivers with reduced river discharge on the Malawi side were devoid of Labeo mesops, while the Mnembo River, which has significantly higher river discharge and a relatively undisturbed catchment, has higher fish biodiversity, including Labeo mesops. Recent studies (Jamu et al, 2003;Delaney et al, 2006;Macuiane et al, 2009) support results of earlier work (Furse et al, 1979b;Kalk et al, 1979) which showed that marshes serve a critical function as breeding and nursery areas and swamps as de facto closed areas or sanctuaries. However, burning of marshes, siltation and conversion of these marshes to rice fields threaten the sustainability of the fishery.…”