Utaka is a collective term for several species of cichlid fish, primarily in the genera Copadichromis and Mchenga, found in Lake Malawi, which borders Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. These fish are an important part of the region’s fisheries, prized for their mild flavor and popularity as a local food source. The utaka fishery is dominated by Malawi, which has the largest share of Lake Malawi’s shoreline and the most developed fishing industry targeting utaka, particularly in the southern and central parts of the lake. Mozambique and Tanzania also harvest utaka from their portions of the lake, though on a smaller scale. The utaka fishery is crucial for food security and livelihoods in these countries, with artisanal and small-scale fishers using traditional gear such as seine nets and dugout canoes. However, overfishing and environmental pressures have raised concerns about the sustainability of utaka stocks, prompting regional efforts to manage and conserve this vital fishery resource.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malawi | 20,052 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.