Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:59:37 +0000
By Sandra Machima
THE delay in the finalisation of a national policy on fisheries is hampering the sustainable exploitation of the fishery resources and stifling the growth of the fisheries sector in Zambia, the Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) executive director Lilian Kiefer has said.
Ms Kiefer said considering that the last three national development plans had prioritised fisheries development, the absence of a fisheries policy was to some extent unprogressive.
“The 7 National Development Plan (NDP) rightly points out that fisheries “offer great potential for diversification, gainful employment and poverty reduction,” but without a National Fisheries Policy, it is difficult to realise this potential,” she said.
She said the policy provides a framework for implementing the development plans in relation to fisheries, adding that pronouncements by senior government officials, including the Republican President had been heard on the need to develop the fisheries sector.
Ms Kiefer said her institute was concerned the policy that had been in a draft form for almost a decade, when the National Fisheries Policy was part of key requirements that needed to be put in place for the fisheries sector to grow.
She said the policy provided a good starting point for making the fisheries sector sustainable and influencing improved management of capture fisheries.
“It is our hope, and that of the fishing communities across Zambia, government will finalise the policy and start developing programmes based on it.”
Ms Kiefer said having a policy in place would accelerate the realisation of the progressive provisions of the Fisheries Act in addressing challenges the fisheries sector was facing such as fish depletion and achieving a robust and sustainable fisheries sector.
“The policy would create an environment where community members actively participate in the development of the sector, and drive the national economy.
The need for a National Fisheries Policy is very evident in places like Sinazongwe and Kazungula where we are working with communities to mitigate the effects of fish depletion.
Community members in Kazungula and Sinazongwe have complained that the absence of a fisheries policy was slowing down the adoption of fish farming.
She said although the policy might not solve all the problems in the fisheries sector, but still it provides a good starting point, a strong foundation for sustainable management of fisheries.
