FAO collaborates with SADC to enhance fisheries governance and Blue Economy across the 16 countries in Southern Africa
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) launched a Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors in the SADC region (PROFISHBLUE) in Kigoma, United Republic of Tanzania.
The event was officiated by the Kigoma Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), alongside representatives from Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Zambia, Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA), and the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI).
The Kigoma RAS Albert Msovela stated that this partnership marks a significant step towards sustainable development and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems in the region, adding, “By working together with FAO and SADC, we can combine our strengths to implement innovative solutions to drive the development of a thriving blue economy in the SADC region.”
The launch event is part of the component “Joint fisheries assessment in Lake Tanganyika”, presenting activities and strategies for the PROFISHBLUE's implementation on one riparian waterbody. A consultative meeting of fisheries institutions and partners is scheduled for 28 February 2024.
Motseki Hlatshwayo, SADC Technical Advisor for Fisheries, stated that the project would help improve fisheries governance mechanisms, promoting aquatic ecosystems and responsible fishing practices. “The collaborative efforts between governments, fishing communities and industry stakeholders will strengthen our monitoring and enforcement capabilities, while also promoting transparent and participatory decision-making processes.”
Spanning across 16 SADC countries, the PROFISHBLUE will promote sustainable fisheries management, enhance food and nutrition security, facilitate intra-regional trade, and generate employment through fisheries value chain activities.
Dr. Hlatshwayo further added that by promoting regional integration and cooperation, the project can enhance the competitiveness of fishery products and tap into emerging markets, both regionally and globally.
FAO's intervention will prioritize training, mentoring, and capacity building of national institutions in fisheries-related sectors, fostering regional cooperation and exchange. FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, Patrice Talla stated, "As we embark on this collaborative journey, FAO is committed to fostering sustainable fisheries governance and promoting a blue economy that aligns with the principles of environmental stewardship and socio-economic inclusivity."
The PROFISHBLUE project will be implemented in partnership with government focal points in fisheries management authorities, regional organizations, and various stakeholders concerned by the fisheries sector, with a focus on capacity building, skills development, guided by the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries of FAO.
It will address the specific challenges faced by inland fisheries in SADC countries, particularly in landlocked regions with transboundary rivers and lakes, and will complement the ongoing efforts of European Union-funded projects titled Unlocking the Potential of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific (FISH4ACP) and Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Management (LATAFIMA), which are being implemented in Lake Tanganyika.
In 2023, FAO and SADC Secretariat signed a Memorandum of Agreement to implement two components of the PROFISHBLUE in Lake Tanganyika (Output 1: Joint fisheries assessment Lake Tanganyika conducted) and Lake Malawi (Output 2: Blue Economy strategic plan and investment plan developed).
The approach taken in this work aims at real Capacity Development and Sustainability of the initiatives. It will center on supporting experts from fisheries-related institutions in riparian countries involved, represented by the DRC, Tanzania, and Zambia, with Burundi as a riparian country invited to participate in the discussions, and regional organization represented by the Lake Tanganyika Authority.
At the end of the project, it is expected that the riparian countries will have conducted one regional fisheries assessment and will have appreciably increased their capacity for sustainable development and management of the use of their aquatic resources.
For further information, please contact:
Nissiat Monjoin,
FAO Office for Southern Africa (SFS)
Alice Maro,
FAO Representation Office in Tanzania