15 October 2019, Kariba, Zimbabwe - Fisheries and aquaculture resources can be developed and well managed for sustainable use and value-chain development initiatives in assistance to improve the livelihoods of people.

Despite this huge potential, in many cases appropriate management actions are seldom implemented for these resources to be exploited in a manner that it may be optimally used and valued.

Zambia and Zimbabwe authorities recently met to evaluate the status of the fisheries of Lake Kariba and the ways of managing these resources. The meeting was under the auspices of the Eighth Technical Consultation on the Development and Management of the Fisheries and Aquaculture of Lake Kariba and Cahora Bassa.

In a speech read on his behalf, Alain Onibon, the Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa (a.i.) it was stated that “The shared resources from these lakes are very important for the communities who are settled around it as well as for the economies of the two countries. In particular, the freshwater sardines and tilapia are important sources of protein and minerals for people.

The lake resources have significant markets and potential for improving livelihoods and income generation, provided that improved management and value-chain approaches are taken. To sustain livelihood and income of the people, a sound management of the fisheries resources is critical, and without well-organized value chains, this will be difficult. Indeed, well-organized value chains will generate enough resources to finance the management of the fishery resources.

There is a great potential to develop the freshwater aquaculture value-chain in Southern Africa, in particular in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Adequate approaches to develop these value-chains are required and would not translate into results unless all the important stakeholders from the public and private sector formally agree and action together,” added Onibon. 

Speaking at the workshop, chairperson and Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality chief environment officer Joseph Shoko said the purpose of the meeting was to make sure there is sustainable fishing in the water bodies.

Some of the major issues which both countries agreed to bring to a joint ministerial level in 2019, to decide on management measures for the Lake Kariba sardine fishery; included a reduction of the number of rigs to 500; the banning of some destructive fishing gears; full-moon or lunar stoppage days for fishing; and the implementation of a joint Vessel Monitoring System. The setting up of a financing mechanism for activities relating to fisheries on the Lake will be proposed.

The two countries also recommended the development and implementation of joint protocols and programs on artisanal and industrial fisheries management and development, and also aquatic animal health and genetics.
This Technical Consultation between Zambia and Zimbabwe provides the forum for discussion and agreement on technical issues of the management and development of the fisheries of Lake Kariba, as envisaged under the bilateral Protocol between Zambia and Zimbabwe on the management and development of the fisheries on Lake Kariba and the transboundary waters of the Zambezi River. 

Government officials from Malawi and Mozambique were also invited by the two riparian countries to attend this initiative to share their experiences on the Management of Cahora Bassa and Lakes in Malawi. 

More about the Technical Consultation on the Development and Management of the Fisheries and Aquaculture of Lake Kariba and Cahora Bassa

Technical Consultation on the Development and Management of the Fisheries and Aquaculture of Lake Kariba and Cahora Bassa is held biennially on the basis of the protocol on Economic and Technical Co-operation between Zambia and Zimbabwe concerning management and development of the fisheries of Lake Kariba and Transboundary waters of the Zambezi River. The protocol was formulated on the basis of SADC Protocol on Fisheries and SADC Protocol on Shared Water courses and was signed in 1999.