Story by Tamuka Charakupa
THE Government has concluded stakeholder consultations on the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill which is earmarked to transform the performance of the sector.
Various stakeholders in the fisheries sector are optimistic that the Bill will address the fragmented approach to fish production, which has discouraged new players due to multiple levies.
“We welcome this Bill because it has the potential to revive the blue economy particularly crocodile farming which has hit its hardest fall due to increased production cost, multiple levies, and operational licenses. The bill will categorically state the responsible minister and in this way, we avoid inconveniences caused by conflicting mandatory authority,” Crocodiles Farmers Association, Chairperson, Mr Jimmyson Kazangarare said.
“We look forward to the establishment of the fisheries and aquaculture fund, which we believe is critical in the preservation of water bodies and development of the sector, particularly small-scale producers. We need the issue of levies to be addressed because as it is, sector growth is crippled,” Chivero Fisheries Union Secretary-General, Mr Luke Kanhimbe added.
The Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Milton Makumba said the draft bill aims to standardise fish production and handling methods.
“We acknowledge the challenges that the sector has faced due to fragmented laws from different ministries overseeing fisheries and aquaculture. This has led to regulatory overlaps, inconsistencies, and bureaucratic hurdles that have hindered smooth operations and industry growth.
“Additionally, the high cost of compliance has placed an undue burden on fish farmers, restricting their ability to expand and invest in sustainable practices. This Bill seeks to address these challenges by consolidating all aquaculture and fisheries-related regulations into a single, coherent legal framework. By doing so, we aim to create a more enabling environment that fosters sector growth, reduces unnecessary regulatory costs, and enhances the ease of doing business for fish farmers and investors,” Mr Makumba said.
The Bill also proposes the establishment of a directorate to ensure the appropriate development of standards for the management, sustainable use, development, and protection of all fisheries and aquaculture resources.
To ensure the suitability of the sector, the Bill advocates for the creation of a Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, which, through an Act of Parliament, will accelerate fisheries and aquaculture development through research initiatives.
Meanwhile, the country is already implementing the FISH4ACP programme, an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States to support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development.
