Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
ZIMBABWE is strengthening environmental safeguards and disease prevention in small-scale fish farming to protect investments, improve productivity and build a resilient aquaculture industry capable of supporting rural employment and national food security.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Mr Simon Masanga said sustainable aquaculture growth depended on balancing increased fish production with the protection of water resources and aquatic ecosystems.
In a speech read on his behal at the launch of the Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Fish Farms in Zimbabwe and the Manual on Biosecurity for Small-Scale Fish Farmers in Zimbabwe, he said the publications would help farmers manage environmental and biological risks that can undermine production and profitability.
“Aquaculture has an important role to play in Zimbabwe’s development aspirations. It provides opportunities to increase fish production, improve household nutrition, diversify rural livelihoods, create employment and stimulate enterprise development, particularly among small-scale producers and rural communities,” he said.
The guidelines come as Zimbabwe seeks to expand aquaculture as a source of income and employment, particularly for rural households, cooperatives, women and young people.
Mr Masanga said production growth alone was insufficient if fish farms compromised the natural resources on which the industry depended.
“An aquaculture enterprise that increases production in the short term but degrades its water source, spreads disease or damages surrounding ecosystems may ultimately undermine its own productivity and profitability,” he said.
He said poorly managed fish farms could contribute to water pollution, excessive nutrient loading, organic waste accumulation and habitat degradation, while the escape of cultured fish and the spread of pathogens could threaten natural ecosystems and other production facilities.
The Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Fish Farms in Zimbabwe seek to promote responsible water use, waste management, appropriate farm siting and the protection of aquatic habitats.
Mr Masanga said environmental considerations should be incorporated throughout a farm’s lifecycle, from site selection and infrastructure development to daily operations and eventual rehabilitation.
“Environmental considerations should not be treated as an afterthought or as an obstacle to investment. They must be integrated into the entire aquaculture development process,” he said.
The second publication addresses biosecurity, which he described as critical to protecting farmers against fish mortality, slower growth, reduced output, higher operating costs and income losses.
“Effective biosecurity therefore makes economic sense. Prevention is generally preferable to responding after a disease outbreak has occurred,” he said.
He urged farmers to source healthy fingerlings from reliable suppliers, maintain good hygiene, monitor fish health, manage stocking densities responsibly and report suspected disease outbreaks to relevant authorities.
However, Mr Masanga cautioned that the guidelines would only deliver results if small-scale farmers could understand and implement the recommended practices.
He called on Government departments, research institutions, farmer associations and development partners to support farmer training, extension services and demonstration facilities.
Climate change also presents risks to the sector, with droughts, rising temperatures and flooding affecting water availability, fish health and production infrastructure.
Mr Masanga urged farmers to improve water-use efficiency, monitor water quality and adopt infrastructure and production systems suited to local environmental conditions.
“The launch of these guidelines is an important milestone, but their real value will be determined by the extent to which they are understood, adopted and implemented,” he said.
He said coordinated implementation, regular monitoring and periodic reviews would be essential to ensure the guidelines remained relevant and delivered measurable improvements in fish health, environmental protection and farm performance.
“If we uphold these principles, Zimbabwe can strengthen its aquaculture sector while protecting the natural resources upon which production depends,” he said.
