Assessing the Effectiveness of Seasonal Fish Bans and Socioeconomic Impacts on Fishing Communities in the Barotse Floodplain, Zambia

The Barotse Floodplain is one of Zambia’s most ecologically significant wetlands and forms part of the broader Upper Zambezi River basin ecosystem. The floodplain supports a rich diversity of aquatic species and provides critical ecosystem services to surrounding communities. Seasonal flooding patterns sustain fisheries, agriculture, and livestock grazing systems that form the backbone of rural livelihoods across Western Province.



For generations, small-scale fisheries have played a vital role in the local economy, providing food security, employment, and income for thousands of households. Fish from the Barotse Floodplain are also traded widely across Zambia and neighboring countries, contributing to regional food systems.

However, the sustainability of the floodplain’s fisheries resources is increasingly threatened. Climate change has altered rainfall patterns and flood cycles, affecting fish breeding habitats and migration patterns. Reduced flood intensity and changing hydrological regimes have disrupted spawning cycles and reduced fish recruitment rates.