Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe is set to double fish production to over 70 000 metric tons per annum in coming years as a government-led programme to build up fish stocks countrywide begins to bear fruit, a cabinet minister has said.
Currently, the country produces 35 000 metric tonnes of fish, which the government has said was far below Zimbabwe’s capacity.
In a bid to increase production, the government has been re-stocking old and new dams with fish countrywide to boast stocks, and in the process economically empower communities.
In the latest move in this regard, it has ratified a protocol providing for the establishment of Southern Africa Development Coordination Committee (SADC) Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre, a regional marine body.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka said cabinet approved the ratification of the SADC protocol as part of the country’s endeavour to expand its fishing industry. He said illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing was one of the main causes of over-fishing and a barrier to achieving sustainable management of fish stocks in the SADC region.
“In fact, Zimbabwe only counts 35 000 metric tons of fish produced annually,” said Masuka.
He said government, under a presidential community fisheries programmes, aims to establish at least two fish ponds in 35 000 villages across the country, and another two each for 9 600 schools. Government fisheries development plans also include establishing two fish ponds for 4 800 youth business units in all wards.
Masuka said some 44 vocational training centre business units will also host fish ponds, focusing on tilapia production. “This vision by the President will provide an additional nutrition for a healthy and prosperous society to anchor that vision 2030,” he said.
“So it is in this context ladies and gentlemen that Zimbabwe joins the other member states that have ratified this very important charter for the establishment of fisheries monitoring control and surveillance coordination centre.”
Masuka said fish catches in Lake Kariba, and other major inland dams have been declining over the years, and so is the size of fish being caught. He called for measures to arrest the trend, adding that effective coordination within the regional framework will go a long way in improving sustainable management of the resource.
“By appending our signatures to this Charter we express our full commitment to the agreements of the SADC regional block towards sustainable development of the fisheries industry for the benefit of present and future generations.
“The signing event is more significant for the Republic of Zimbabwe as it coincides with commemorations of the International Fisheries Day, which we will be celebrating at the Harare Botanical Gardens,” said Masuka.
Speaking at the same event, an official standing in for SADC executive secretary, Elias Magosi said the region was losing fish stocks worth an estimated US$400 million annually to illegal and unregulated fishing. This, he said, threatened the health of fish stocks, distorted markets, undermined governance and the well-being and livelihoods of rural and lake shore communities.
“Today is a very important day for the regional fisheries sector, firstly, the Country of the Chair of SADC, Zimbabwe, accedes to the MCSCC Charter, making it the 13th State Party to the Charter, and secondly, we are commemorating the World Fisheries Day. Honourable Minister, ladies, and gentlemen, today we are reminded of the need to promote sustainable fishing practices, eliminate IUU fishing, and protect human rights, especially for small-scale fishing communities,” said Magosi.
New Ziana