Zim signs Sadc Fisheries Charter
AGRICULTURE REPORTER
The Government of Zimbabwe has signed the Sadc Fisheries Charter to establish the fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC).
This expresses the Government’s commitment to addressing the growing challenges of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region.
In his address during the signing ceremony on Thursday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka highlighted the pressing issue of overexploitation of fisheries resources, particularly in Lake Kariba.
“The Zimbabwean Government is aware of the challenges bedevilling this sector, especially our main fishery, Lake Kariba.
“We are faced with overexploitation of fishery resources with so many unregistered vessels on our waters,” said Dr Masuka.
He said fish catches and the size of fish in Lake Kariba and some of the country’s major inland dams had been declining over the years and called for action to address the trend.
He said the regional framework will go a long way in improving sustainable management of vital fisheries.
“Interventions by Government and development partners will see the upgrading of national Monitoring, Control and Surveillance to effectively feed into the regional network.
“It is indeed gratifying to note that action is already taking place, with equipment, including vessel monitoring devices being procured for monitoring fishing activities on Lake Kariba through collaborative engagement between my Government, Sadc and World Fund for Nature (WWF) under the PROFISHBLUE Projects,” he said.
He said this will go a long way in reducing the negative impact of illegal fishing activities in Lake Kariba for the benefit of both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“By appending signatures to the Charter, we express our full commitment to the sustainable development of the fisheries industry for the benefit of present and future generations,” said Minister Masuka.
The signing event, he said, was more significant for Zimbabwe as it coincided with commemorations of the International Fisheries Day.
Sadc Executive Secretary Mr Elias Mpedi Magosi, represented by Technical Advisor for Fisheries at the bloc’s Secretariat Motseki Hlatshwayo, said illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is costing the region financially.
Fisheries in Sadc countries generate a variety of benefits towards nutrition and food security, livelihoods, employment, national revenue, exports, and foreign currency.
“However, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which is estimated to cost the Sadc region around USD$400 million per year threatens the health of fish stocks, distorts markets, undermines governance, and undermines the wellbeing and livelihoods of rural and lakeshore communities,” he said.
He applauded Zimbabwe for signing the MCSCC Charter.
“The signing of the Charter by the Honourable Minister today is a demonstration of this commitment by the Government of Zimbabwe, and a clear intention towards strengthening cooperation in stopping illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” he said.