The paper outlines the production system on the eastern floodplains in the Caprivi paying special attention to the fishing activities. Although there are already some indications that the resource may be overfished, this paper suggests that the situation could become much worse if the current trends continue ? continued weakening of the influence of the traditional management systems; increasing availability of fishing inputs; market demand and prices for fish remain strong; and worsening problems in the agricultural sector (e.g. withdrawal of government subsidies for certain inputs, increasing incidence of wildlife/human conflicts, marketing problems). This paper calls for, among other things, further work to investigate the options and feasibility of developing some type of co-management regime (involving fisherfolk, government and other stakeholders in the management of the fishery) to ensure that the fishery is managed sustainably and continues to play an important role in the floodplain livelihood system.