Sundaymail Editor
Milton Makumbe
THE Government has taken a groundbreaking step towards unlocking the potential of the fisheries and aquaculture sector by introducing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill.
To ensure the Bill addresses the sector’s challenges, nationwide stakeholder consultations have been held, bringing together fish farmers, processors, traders and Government officials.
The consultations have highlighted several key issues that need to be addressed to unlock the sector’s potential.
One major concern is the lack of comprehensive legislation, with the current regulatory framework being fragmented and overlapping.
This has resulted in high production and compliance costs, with excessive water usage fees and high licensing fees creating a challenging business environment.
Fish farmers have also raised concerns over limited access to aquaculture inputs, poor seed quality and limited capital.
Climate change-induced water shortages have exacerbated the sector’s vulnerabilities, while illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing threatens the sustainability of fish stocks.
To address these challenges, stakeholders have emphasised the need for clarification on the Bill’s scope, streamlining of regulations, empowering of local committees and the fostering of public-private partnerships.
There have also been calls for the inclusion of mechanisms for loss control and risk management, predictable and justifiable licensing, and the establishment of a fair and transparent licensing framework.
The consultations have also highlighted the need for increased public awareness, particularly among crocodile farmers and the general public.
Concerns have been raised on the need for quality regulations in the kapenta processing industry, and the development of special fishing areas and designated landing sites to ensure hygienic practices are followed.
As Zimbabwe moves forward with the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, it is clear that addressing the sector’s challenges will require a collaborative effort from all stakeholders.
By working together, Zimbabwe can unlock the potential of its fisheries and aquaculture sector, promoting sustainable growth, improving food security and contributing significantly to the country’s economic development.
The Bill’s success will depend on its ability to address the sector’s challenges, promote sustainability and ensure the long-term viability of fisheries and aquaculture resources.
As stakeholders continue to engage with the Bill, it is essential that their concerns and recommendations are taken into account, ensuring that the final product is inclusive, effective and beneficial to all.
During the consultations, stakeholders identified several challenges affecting the sector across the country.
These include:
Lack of comprehensive legislation: The current regulatory framework is fragmented, with overlapping laws and regulations that hinder growth and investment.
High production and compliance costs: Excessive water usage fees (US$30/megalitre) compared to other agricultural farmers (US$1/ML) and high licensing fees create a challenging business environment.
Limited access to aquaculture inputs: Fish farmers face difficulties in accessing quality fingerlings and fish feed.
Poor seed quality and limited capital: These challenges constrain the sector’s growth and development.
Climate change-induced water shortages: These exacerbate the sector’s vulnerabilities.
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing: This threatens the sustainability of fish stocks.
To address these challenges, stakeholders emphasised the need for the following interventions:
Clarification on the Bill’s scope: Ensuring the Bill covers all aquaculture species, including oysters and other seafood.
Streamlining regulations: Clarifying the relationship between the Bill and existing regulations.
Empowering local committees: Defining the role of local committees in monitoring and ensuring the sector’s success.
Public-private partnerships: Fostering collaborations to promote fish production, value addition and marketing.
Loss control and risk management: Incorporating mechanisms to mitigate risks and losses.
Predictable and justifiable licensing: Establishing a fair and transparent licensing framework.
Key issues raised during stakeholder consultations in Nyanga
Inclusivity of aquaculture species: Stakeholders expressed concern that certain aquaculture species, such as oysters and other seafood, were not included in the memorandum of principles. They emphasised the importance of considering all aquaculture and fisheries produce in the national strategy. The response was that the proposed principles were not exhaustive, and the national strategy must cater for all aquaculture and fisheries sub-sectors.
Food security and nutrition: Stakeholders stressed the need to include a component of food security and nutrition in the Bill to drive the industry forward.
They suggested that the Bill should promote a certain percentage of export and domestic consumption to ensure food security and nutrition.
Enforcement and penalties: Stakeholders sought clarity on the use of enforcement, particularly regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. They asked whether the Bill would apply to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and penalties, as well as enforcement and mandatory sentences. The response was that the Bill would address these concerns and provide a framework for enforcement and penalties.
Statistics and data: Stakeholders emphasised the importance of using statistics as the basis for principles. They sought clarity on the addition of statistics to the Bill and how it would be implemented. The response was that statistics would be used to inform decision-making and that the Bill would provide a framework for data collection and analysis.
Regulation of fish farming services: Stakeholders called for the regulation of fish farming services, including advertising of reputable suppliers and penalisation of bogus suppliers. They emphasised the need to protect farmers from unscrupulous suppliers.
Permitting and licensing: Stakeholders raised concerns about the slow processing of council permits and the fragmentation of permits for fish farming associations. They suggested streamlining the permitting process and reducing the number of permits required.
Loss control and risk management: Stakeholders emphasised the need for a component of loss control and risk management in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. They suggested that the ministry should provide guidance on risk management and loss control to farmers.
Awareness campaigns: Stakeholders suggested increasing awareness campaigns to ensure farmers are aware of reputable suppliers and best practices. They emphasised the need to educate farmers on the importance of using quality inputs and adopting sustainable practices.
Centralisation of export permits: Stakeholders suggested centralising export permits in one office, with clear timelines. They emphasised the need to streamline the export process and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
Definition of breeder and hatchery management: Stakeholders sought clarity on the definition of a breeder and hatchery management guidelines. They asked whether the breeder licence would be moved from the current legislation to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill.
Fisheries management areas: Stakeholders suggested having memoranda of understanding with different partners to regulate and safeguard the interests of managed areas. They underscored the need to rethink the composition of local committees and ensure they are representative and effective.
Special fishing areas and commercial fishing areas: Stakeholders sought clarity on the regulation and management of special fishing areas and commercial fishing areas. They said there was need to ensure sustainable fishing practices and protection of the environment.
Milton Makumbe is the director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Production Department.
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