Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, or  Lake Niassa, or Lago Niassa in Mozambique has been officially declared a reserve by the Government of Mozambique today, protecting the species and natural habitats of one of the largest and the most bio-diverse, freshwater lakes in the world. The Government of Mozambique has also approved the proposal for the designation of Lake Niassa as a Ramsar site, including not only the reserve, but surrounding wetlands and watershed. This wetland will be the second Ramsar site for Mozambique after the declaration of Marromeu Complex in 2003.

Lake Niassa, spanning 1,363,700 hectares and 700 meters deep is Mozambique’s part of the third largest and the second deepest lake in Africa (referred to as “Lake Malawi” in Malawi, and as “Lake Nyasa” in Tanzania, which are the other two countries that share it). The lake’s tropical waters and shores are home to an estimated 1,000 species of cichlids, with only 5 percent found elsewhere. The region is also home to significant and diverse bird populations, mammals and reptiles.

Local communities were instrumental in achieving success by making several concessions in order to protect their main source of food and income by agreeing to the closure of all fishing rivers during the annual spawning runs for lake salmon and other species, and the total protection of the Chambo (Tilapia sp.) spawning beds during breeding season. Additionally they created a team of community rangers responsible to district administration and cooperating with the Navy to enforce existing laws surrounding illegal fishing, timber cutting, illegal migration, mining and piracy.

Wildlife that is found in and around Lake include crocodiles, hippopotamus, monkeys and a significant population of African Fish Eagle that feed off fish from the lake.