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Ashton Mutyavaviri
ZIMBABWE launched the improving fisheries governance and blue economy trade corridors in the SADC region (PROFISHBLUE) project aimed at supporting the sustainable management of fisheries resources and best practices for transboundary resource control in interior land-locked regions.
The PROFISHBLUE project was launched in Kariba last week focussing on developing a blue economy strategy and investment plan for the riparian water body.
The component related to blue economy strategic plan and investment plan developed will be implemented in collaboration with Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Production Department (FARD) in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
The inland fisheries sector in Southern Africa plays a crucial role in providing food and nutrition security, particularly for poorer segments of the population, sustaining livelihoods and driving economic development.
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) sub-regional coordinator for Southern Africa, Mr Patrice Talla said PROFISHBLUE seeks to promote sustainable management of fisheries resources within the blue economy.
The blue economy generally refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.
The meeting also focused on ways of supporting Zambia and Zimbabwe to further develop their capacities for sustainable management and use of aquatic resources in the two riparian countries guided by the under-arching approaches of the FAO blue transformation strategy.
“The collaboration between the two countries for more sustainable systems is progressing each year and I am confident that this new project will succeed. This programme will set the tone for more blue economy sectors’ sustainable economic growth in the SADC region,” said Mr Talla
In 2023, FAO and the SADC secretariat signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to implement two components of the PROFISHBLUE programme, that is, a joint fisheries assessment in Lake Tanganyika, and the blue economy strategy and investment plan for Lake Kariba.
The programme is funded by the African Development Bank (ADB) to the tune of US$1 million for the two components implemented by FAO and US$9 million for the whole programme implemented in the 16 SADC countries.
PROFISHBLUE project coordinator under the directorate of Food Agriculture and Natural Resources in the SADC secretariat, Mr Alexander Kefi said the programme aligned very well with the SADC fisheries protocol, which came into force in 2001.
He urged stakeholders to view the programme as an opportunity beyond the confinement of their countries but for regional integration within the blue economy context in line with the SADC vision.
The PROFISHBLUE programme stakeholders agreed and developed a work-plan, which will be co-owned and co-implemented by the two riparian countries.
The work-plan will be implemented until mid-2025.
Online Reporter