Fish stock in Lake Nyasa is estimated at 168,000 tonnes, an amount suitable for setting of large fish processing investment in the area.

The Deputy Minister for Livestock Development and Fishery, Dr James Wanyancha said yesterday that 100 tonnes of fish daily or equivalent to 36,000 tonnes per year was prerequisite for a large fish processing investment.

Dr Wanyancha told the Parliament in Dodoma yesterday that available statistics shows that the number of fish in Lake Nyasa has decreased from 8,500 tonnes in 2005 to 4,353 tonnes last year.

However, responding to MPs questions on behalf of the minister for Trade, Industry and Marketing, Dr Wanyancha said the government will continue encouraging investors for small and medium scale investment in fish processing industry around Lake Nyasa.

Dr Wanyancha was responding to question by Mbinga West and Mbeya Urban MPs Captain John Komba and Benson Mpesya tespectively, who challenged the government over investment in fish processing industry around Lake Nyasa as such investment is already being carried out in the other two neighbouring countries of Malawi and Mozambique.

He said the government will continue improving infrastructure along the Mtwara Development Corridor, including roads, harbour and electricity in order to attract investment in the southern and southern highland zone.