Happy New Year 2004 from Kambiri Point in Malawi

The CRLCA is approaching four years of age – with 602 members, and as we move into 2004 a New Year message is surely called for.  Since the Associates’ inception we have seen wild caught fishes from Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika entering Canada on a scale that was never achieved previously.  This alone is no small achievement.    A major and contributory factor that has enabled this to take place is reflected in the care, dedication and application that is due to the progressive and ongoing extensions to the now sophisticated holding facility in Guelph.  We extend the hope that now it is indeed fully up and running maximum use will be made of its future potential.

 Three young Canadians have spent many useful months in Malawi as “interns” and in review each had their own particular bent and features…   Patric Parent’s experience in the assembly of glass tanks was placed to good use in the replacement of an entire rack of antiquated fibreglass tubs – Jody McManus was particularly useful and oriented to the management of fish stocks and feeding and Kyle Rollefstad successfully built and established a moderately sized show section here at the facility with a multi-system of various sized tanks.  Every time we walk around our Kambiri facility we can see our minds’eyes these three Canadians who, for for a period, indeed became our honorary Canadian sons…  Esther and I recall their sojourn here in Malawi with great affection and regard.

 We hope that in the future other CRLCA “interns” will make their way to Malawi to continue this semi-established feature.  2004 looks like a year where emphasis is going to be placed on revamping our two large 36 footer diesel boats (acquired in 2003) and it is certain that these will be welcomed by future safari and other visitors to Malawi.  Travel in these spacious vessels is indeed a new experience and we hope that this will be yet another contributory factor in more CRLCA members making their way out to Malawi for a real authentic in-depth lake experience.

 The visit to Dr Glenn Marshall and Tom Herman out to Malawi in late 2003 was a welcome and happy meet-up; mention also must be made of Larry Johnson’s sterling services in coming out to Malawi yet again (you’re an old Malawi hand, now, Larry) and it gave us great pleasure to see the maple leaf flag flying proud on the jetty/walkway here at Kambiri Point.

 As Honorary Chairman I again attest to the determination and drive of your President Dr Glenn Marshall in his tireless quest to make the CRLCA a live and meaningful organisation; I am certain that the Honorary President Ad Konings (also here in Malawi in late 2003) will endorse and corroborate these sentiments.  May we here in Malawi tender best 2004 wishes to all CRLCA members – we would love to see more of you actually on Malawi soil.  

Stuart M Grant

Honorary Chairman

CRLCA

31 December 2003