A Workshop on the Promotion of Sustainable Commercial Aquaculture in Zambia and Zimbabwe was organized in Lusaka, Zambia, from 2 to 4 October 2002 in recognition of the potential role of commercial aquaculture to achieve poverty alleviation and food security through economic growth and employment creation in the region. The main recommendations from the workshop to the Governments of both countries included the need for preparing clear national policies for commercial aquaculture development, promoting start-up aquaculture and allied industries, defining clear models for economic and financial viability assessments to be applied by funding institutions, facilitating borrowing for commercial operations, disseminating research findings to farmers and information sharing at all levels of aquaculture development, as well as awareness-raising among customers on aquaculture products to increase demand for fish. The role and support of FAO in facilitating the development of commercial aquaculture was solicited for assisting the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe in strengthening national fish farmers’ associations and regional networks, increasing awareness on the potential of aquaculture for economic growth, establishing national training and information resource centres and identifying the necessary attributes for Zambia and Zimbabwe to export aquaculture products to the European Union. FAO was also requested to urgently document funding sources and mechanisms in place throughout sub-Saharan Africa and monitor commercial aquaculture development to contribute to the dissemination of information and lessons learned from all commercial aquaculture initiatives.
