REPORT OF THE 35 TH MEETING OF THE SADC TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES

Transcription

1 SADC Fisheries Report No. 2016/01 REPORT OF THE 35 TH MEETING OF THE SADC TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES GRAND PALM HOTEL, GABORONE, BOTSWANA, JUNE 2016 Supported by:

2 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION PARTICIPATION OPENING SESSION OUTCOMES OF THE MEETING Progress Report on the Implementation of the SADC Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme Status of the Fisheries Resources in the SADC Region Report of the 4 th Meeting of the SADC Working Group on Aquaculture, Maputo, Mozambique, February Report of the 4 th Meeting of the SADC Task Force on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, Maputo, Mozambique, May Policy documents for consideration and adoption by the FTC Technical reports for consideration and adoption by the FTC Domestication of the SADC Protocol on Fisheries in the Member States AfDB/SADC cooperation in sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development SADC FISHERIES PUBLICATION CLOSING OF THE MEETING

3 1. INTRODUCTION The SADC Technical Committee on Fisheries (FTC) was established in terms of Article 19 of the SADC Protocol on Fisheries (2001) to oversee the implementation of the Protocol, mainly strategies, plans and programmes developed towards domestication of this Protocol. The FTC meets annually to direct and review the SADC Programme of Work on Fisheries and Aquaculture. Over and above the FTC is a platform to network and share information and experiences, and has become an important institution to solicit support and propose cooperation with different partners. The meetings of the FTC are thus attended by partners including Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs), and other regional and international development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector and International Cooperating Partners (ICPs). The 2016 SADC Technical Committee on Fisheries aim was to clear strategic documents for approval by the SADC Committee of Ministers of Environment and Natural Resources Management to take place later in the year. The meeting was also to review key SADC policy and technical documents, and to share information and decisions from the SADC Committee of Ministers of Environment and Natural Resources Management and the SADC Council of Ministers. Over and above the meeting provided a platform for popularization of the SADC Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap and the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP) and its draft Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (RAIP). Also, updates on continental work towards implementation of the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) were discussed, mainly for the purpose of alignment between continental, regional and national approaches in the management and development of fisheries and aquaculture. This meeting was also dedicated as a platform to commemorate the four SADC countries, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa, which have ratified the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PMSA), which entered into force on the 5 th of June 2016, after reaching and surpassing the threshold of activation (25 countries). 3

4 2. PARTICIPATION The meeting of the SADC Technical Committee on Fisheries (FTC) was attended by 12 SADC Member States; Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Lesotho, Madagascar, Namibia and United Republic of Tanzania, didn t respond to the invitation to participate at this meeting. The following development partners were represented: African Development Bank (AfDB), AU-IBAR, Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA), NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency (NPCA), South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), Stop Illegal Fishing (SIF), World Fish Center (WFC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM). Also in attendance were experts and consultants from Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, and officials from the SADC Secretariat. 3. OPENING SESSION The delegates were welcomed by Ms. Deborah Kahatano, Senior Programme Officer: Natural Resources Management at the SADC Secretariat, who also outlined the objectives of the meeting. Her welcome remarks were followed by statements of support from the representative of AU- IBAR, Mr. Linus Chata, the representative of WFC, Dr. Sloans Chimatiro, the representative of FAO, Mr. Aubrey Harris, and Dr. Hamady Diop representing NPCA. The Representative of the Chair of SADC from the Government of Botswana, Dr Cyril Taolo, Deputy Director in the Department of Wildlife and Parks, of the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, officially opened the meeting, and noted that the fisheries and aquaculture sector has made significant strides as evidenced by their growing contribution to economies of the SADC region in terms of revenue generation and employment creation. He also noted that it is heartening to learn that the overall fisheries production, underpinned by impressive performance of the aquaculture sub-sector, is growing at 13% per annum, but there was more that remains to be done to boost the productivity and competitiveness of the sector. 4

5 He further noted that challenges affecting fisheries sector include illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, fish diseases, degradation of aquatic environments, capacity constraints and climate change. He however noted that in response to these challenges, the region had developed a number of programmes, strategies and initiatives to facilitate the development of the sector and that several of these are to be considered during the course of the meeting. In conclusion, the Chair commended the Secretariat for working closely with key partners in the implementation of the SADC Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme, and noted that the agenda for the two days promised to be busy but he was confident that the FTC will apply itself diligently to the task at hand. He welcomed all delegates to Gaborone and wished them productive two days. 4. OUTCOMES OF THE MEETING Following the adoption of the Record of the 34 th Meeting of FTC held in Johannesburg, South Africa in April 2015, and the adoption of the draft Agenda and Programme, the meeting focused on the substantive agenda items as outlined below: 4.1 Progress Report on the Implementation of the SADC Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme The FTC reviewed progress report presented by the SADC Secretariat and adopted the report, together with the proposed activities planned for Furthermore the FTC reviewed and adopted the proposed project titled Strengthening capacity of SADC Secretariat in implementing the SADC Fisheries and Aquaculture Porgramme under the Technical Cooperation Programme with the FAO. 4.2 Status of the Fisheries Resources in the SADC Region Fisheries in the SADC region are one of the trans-boundary natural resources, whose management requires collaboration among Member States. The importance of sustainable management and use of natural resources is enshrined in the SADC Treaty. 5

6 Angola Botswana DRC Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Swaziland Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe Volume (tonnes) Value (US$x000) In line with the Treaty, the SADC Protocol on Fisheries (2001) calls for State Parties to work together in the overall management and development of fisheries resources including in law enforcement, in management of shared resources and in protection of aquatic environments. The fisheries and aquaculture are of importance to the economies of SADC countries, in terms of income generation and employment. In most of the SADC countries fish is the only affordable source of dietary animal protein and therefore of overwhelming importance for food and nutrition security. It is thus imperative for SADC to support sustainable management of fisheries resources and development of sustainable aquaculture in the region in order to increase the production, productivity and competitiveness of the sector. The current status show a steady increase in overall fisheries production in the region as a result of increases in aquaculture production in some of the member states Volume (tonnes) Value ($x000) The sub-sector has generated an annual average growth rate of about 13%. Total aquaculture production was about metric tonnes with an estimated value of US$330 million in 2014, up from metric tonnes with estimated value of US$200 million in 2012 (FAO, 2015), while the overall capture fisheries production trends indicate that the region produces only 2.6 million tonnes of the 91.3 million tonnes of global captured fisheries, which had more or less stagnated (FAO, 2015). The challenges with fish diseases continue to affect the growth of aquaculture in the region. In addition, fish stocks continued to dwindle due to challenges with Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, degradation of aquatic environments, climate change and lack of capacity to effectively manage fish stocks. However, the region was working on mechanisms to address these challenges through promotion of aquaculture, implementation of the SADC Ministerial Statement of Commitment to combat IUU fishing through the SADC Action Plan to combat IUU fishing, co-management of shared fisheries resources and protection of aquatic environments. 0

7 4.3 Report of the 4 th Meeting of the SADC Working Group on Aquaculture, Maputo, Mozambique, February 2016 The meeting of the SADC Working Group on Aquaculture and the consultative workshop on Aquaculture Environmental Management for the Southern Africa Region was organised by SADC Secretariat in partnership with the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) with support from the European Union. The overall focus of this meeting was to embark upon the development of appropriate regional frameworks on environmental management for sustainable aquaculture development that shall provide the basis for sectoral policy and management. The specific objectives of this workshop therefore were to (i) inform and enable participants to apply the principles of ecosystems approach to aquaculture (EAA) at the sectoral level; (ii) identify key components to develop and implement appropriate mechanisms for specific regional and national environmental management of aquatic animal production systems; (iii) formulate draft regional frameworks for environmental management for commercial aquaculture development and zonation for Southern African - region; and (iv) to validate the draft SADC Regional Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan that incorporates and promotes EAA approaches. The meeting was attended by 10 SADC countries which include Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland and 7

8 Zimbabwe. Also in attendance were participants from Comoros, FAO, Research and Academic Institutions in Southern Africa and the Private Sector. The meeting was officially opened by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries of the Government of Mozambique, Dr Narci Nuro de Premegi on behalf of the Minister of State for Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Honourable Agostinho Salvador Mondlane on the 25th February, Welcome messages and statements of support were also made by AU-IBAR, Mr. Obinna Anozie on behalf of the Director, Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalhi, SADC, Dr. Motseki Hlatshwayo on behalf of the Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, and South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) and FAO represented by Mr. Aubrey Harris. The opening session was followed by presentations on the continental Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture and the SADC Protocol on Fisheries. Status of aquaculture in Southern Africa was also discussed, based on the SWOT analysis which was made during the development of the draft SADC Regional Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan. Several other presentations setting the scene were made; outlining the nature of nature in terms of resources use, inputs and outputs as well as impacts; stauts of natural resources and effects of climate change on prospects for aquaculture development in the Region; Ecosystem approach to aquaculture and implications for planning sustainable aquaculture development. Private sector and researchers were also given a chance to share experiences on progressive environmental changes and effects on operations, production and returns. 8

9 AU-IBAR and SADC Secretariat also provided an overview of international and regional policies and regulations on environmental management for aquaculture. This was followed by presentation of national environmental management strategies and their status of implementation in the Southern African countries. There were also dedicated discussions on environmental impact assessment (EIA) in aquaculture, looking at its components and processes, including issues of site selection and estimation of carrying capacities. Through group discussions priority components to develop and implement appropriate mechanisms looking at ecosystem and bio-security and socio-economic issues were identified and will be used as framework for developing the regional guideline for aquaculture environmental management, which is also in line with the PFRS and SADC Protocol on Fisheries. Following the extensive discussions and provision of inputs, the meeting validated draft SADC Regional Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan, and identified the development of the regional framework for environmental management for commercial aquaculture development and zonation in Southern Africa as one of the regional programmes to be implemented in the Region. The meeting was informed of the upcoming World Aquaculture Conference to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, June 2017, under the theme Sustainable Aquaculture- New Frontiers for Economic Growth. More information is available on the following web link: 17WA_capetown/WA17Reg Bro8-4.pdf. The SADC Secretariat and FAO indicated that they will host a joint site event at this meeting and encouraged AU-IBAR to also consider doing the same. The meeting recommended that AU-IBAR in partnership with SADC Secretariat should ensure that the draft SADC Regional Aquaculture Environmental Management Framework is finalized for approval at the next SADC Technical Committee on Fisheries meeting to be supported by AU-IBAR proposed for June 2016 in Gaborone, Botswana. The meeting also recommended that a consultative workshop should be organized towards the development of regional guideline for aquaculture best management practices and other outputs or products identified in the draft SADC Regional Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan that will enhance harmonization and ultimately domestication of the SADC Protocol on Fisheries. The meeting further recommended 9

10 that proceedings of this workshop should be prepared and published so that the publication can be used as reference material. Members recognized and commended both AU-IBAR and SADC Secretariat for the workshop, and encouraged better coordination of this kind of work continentally and regionally, in order to ensure that countries benefit fully from this kind of interventions and supported accordingly in order to ensure domestication of continental and regional instruments in respective Member States. AU-IBAR and SADC Secretariat thanked everyone for making time to participate in this important workshop, and also thanked development partners present, FAO and World Fish Center (WFC) for their continued support. 4.4 Report of the 4 th Meeting of the SADC Task Force on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, Maputo, Mozambique, May 2016 The consultative workshop for the East Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (EA- SA-IO) region and the 4 th Meeting of the SADC Task Force on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing was held on the 09-11, May, 2016 at the Hotel Cardoso in Maputo in the Republic of Mozambique. The meeting was organized by SADC Secretariat in collaboration with the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Secretariat, and the Government of the Republic of Mozambique with the support of the European Union (EU), the World Bank (WB) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). 10

11 The overall objective of the meeting was to develop a regional and sub-regional collaborative mechanism for effective management of shared fisheries resources in the EA-SA-IO region and to validate the draft Charter for the establishment of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCS) in Southern Africa. The meeting was attended by government representatives from the Republics of Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Djibouti, DR Congo, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Also in attendance were staff members from the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), European Union (EU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA), East Africa Community/Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (EAC/LVFO), Nile Basin Initiative/Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NBI/NELSAP), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Stop Illegal Fishing (SIF), South Western Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), The World Bank, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM). Also in attendance were the AU-IBAR consultants and representative from the Interpol Regional Bureau of Harare. The meeting was officially opened by Dr. Narci Nuro de Premegi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries in Mozambique. He reiterated the commitment of the Government of Mozambique in supporting the initiative of combating IUU through a collective and regional approach. He commended SADC and IOC for providing leadership in the regions and the AU-IBAR for the continental leadership. Madam Claudia Tomas, Director General of Fisheries Administration in Mozambique, Dr. Motseki Hlatshwayo, Technical Advisor-Fisheries, SADC Secretariat, Mr Raj Mohabeer, IOC Secretariat, Dr. Mohamed Seisay, Senior Fisheries Officer, AU-IBAR, and Mr. David Schorr, Senior Fisheries Manager of WWF also made their opening remarks. The opening session was followed by presentations from partners in the EA-SA-IO region sharing lessons and experiences on regional fisheries projects and interventions being imlemented. Mr. Edward Kimakwa, the WWF Coastal East Africa Fisheries Programme Manager made a presentation on WWF fisheries interventions in the Coastal East Africa / South West Indian Ocean region. Mr. Raj Mohabeer, Officer in charge at the IOC Secretariat presented on the EU funded IOC-SmartFish Programme. Ms. Sandy Davies, Coordinator Stop Illegal Fishing (SIF) Secretariat presented on the FISH-i Africa Task Force, an initiative coordinated by SIF. Mr Jude Talma, MCS Officer of the IOC provided an overview of the MCS activities of the IOC. Dr. Dejen Eshete, Fisheries Expert with IGAD talked about IGAD fisheries activities. Mr. Godfrey Monor, Executive Secretary of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) gave an overview of LVFO and fisheries activities, as technical arm for the East African Community (EAC). Mr. Chris Heinecken CAP Marine a Consultant to AU-IBAR presented a draft report on the work on a national and regional observer programme and vessel registry database. There were several interventions from the participants, 11

12 which enriched the report. AU-IBAR was asked to re-send the questionnaire to Member States who may have missed out in proving their feedback; further, AU-IBAR was requested to circulate the draft report for further inputs by participants and the respective countries. Dr. Aboubacar Sidibe, Project Officer at AU-IBAR made a presentation on African Union Strategy for Monitoring, Control & Surveillance (MCS) system to combat Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Africa and he pointed out that strengthening MCS to curb IUU fishing is of high priority to AU-IBAR fisheries governance work. Dr. Jane Chimungeni-Brassington, of Samaki Ecosystems, a Consultant to AU-IBAR presented the draft report on the overview of the current status of MCS in the Eastern and Southern African region. There were several interventions from the participants, which enriched the report. AU-IBAR was requested to circulate the draft report to participants and respective countries for further inputs. This was followed by group working session where participants identified priority actions at both national and regional levels on the five thematic areas of: (i) regional cooperation/collaboration framework; (ii) capacity building; (iii) improvement of legal frameworks; (iv) funding mobilization; and (v) knowledge of fisheries resources and information sharing systems. There were interventions from the participants to enrich the results of the groups. The group session was followed by discussions on how to consolidate proposed interventions from the groups into the processes of developing a programme for the EA-SA-IO region to be considered under EDF-11. Dr. Eshete Dejen of IGAD gave a brief overview of the EDF 11, whose overall objective is to improve fisheries and aquaculture management to increase the contribution of the sector to poverty alleviation, food security and nutrition in line with the Pan-African Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy Framework and Reform Strategy. Mr. Raj Mohabeer of IOC briefly informed the meeting that EUR 30 Million cross-regional envelope has been provided for under 11 th EDF for the fisheries related activities in the the EA-SA-IO region. He mentioned that the lead organizations in the formulation of the 11 th EDF Programme were IOC and the EU Delegation in Mauritius. The fund will support the whole of the EA-SA-IO region. The Lessons learnt and the policy guidance on management and food security will be used as inputs for the new Programme under 11 th EDF. Mr. Denis Reiss, Fisheries Attaché EU Delegation in Mauritius provided principles and guidance on 12

13 implementation modalities of the EDF 11 cross-regional envelope dedicated to the support to the contribution to sustainable fisheries and blue economy in the region. The final session was the discussion of the draft Charter for the establishment of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveilllance Coordination Centre for Southern Africa. Dr. Motseki Hlatshwayo, Technical Advisor - Fisheries, and Mr. Phineas Matto, Legal Counsel of the SADC Secretariat and Dr. Manuel Castiano Policy Officer from WWF also on behalf of SADC Secretariat and the Government of Mozambique presented the draft Charter and the roadmap for the establishment of the MCS Coordination Centre in Southern Africa. There were interventions from the participants to improve the Charter and the roadmap in the context of a broader EA-SA- IO region newly proposed collaborative mechanisms. Key outcomes from the meeting: 1. Participants validated the draft Charter for the establishment of the MCS Coordination Centre in Southern Africa together with the roadmap for operationalization of the regional MCS Coordination Centre Southern Africa. Also the Secretariat should indicate a timeframe for the roadmap; 2. A roadmap/framework for regional cooperation on MCS for the EA-SA-IO region was agreed upon and priority areas for regional cooperation on MCS were developed; 3. Key priority areas to inform the formulation of the 11 th EDF on fisheries were agreed upon and IOC, IGAD, EAC, COMESA, SADC, in collaboration with AU- IBAR should establish a Task Team that will work closely with EU Delegation in Mauritius to draft a comprehensive fisheries programme in EA-SA-IO region for funding consideration under the 11 th EDF cross-regional envelope programming. 4.5 Policy documents for consideration and adoption by the FTC 13 The draft SADC Regional Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan together with the draft SADC Regional Framework on Environmental Management for Sustainable Aquaculture was reviewed and recommended further for Ministerial approval. The aim of this strategy is to create a sustainable, competitive and diversified aquaculture sector in the region in order to increase the contribution of aquaculture to local, national and regional economic growth and trade.

14 Also, the draft Charter for the establishment of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre for Southern Africa was reviewed and recommended further to the Ministerial meeting for consideration. The purpose of this Charter is to provide Member States with a framework for the establishment and operationalisation of a Subregional Organisation (SRO) that would coordinate measures relating to fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) in the Southern African region. 4.6 Technical reports for consideration and adoption by the FTC Three technical reports were reviewed and adopted by the FTC. The first report was on a study conducted by CCARDESA on behalf of the SADC Secretariat, titled The Role of Fisheries in Food and Nutrition security in the SADC region. This study profiles the fisheries and aquaculture sector and its contribution to GDP in each SADC Member States, thus providing a very good baseline for the region. The second report was on the study conducted by AU-IBAR in support of SADC Secretariat s efforts in supporting sustainable aquaculture development. The study titled Mapping of Aquatic Animal Diseases in the SADC region, is a situational analysis intended to creating referenced inventory and determining risk factors for aquatic animal diseases in the SADC region for purposes of establishing efficient aquatic biosecurity and disease control measure. 14

15 The last was a progress report on an on-going study titled, Corridor analysis of the flow of fish products in Southern Africa, implemented by WFC, supported by AU-IBAR and NPCA. This project is part of a bigger continental program funded by the European Union (EU) titled Improving Food Security and Reducing Poverty through intra-regional Fish Trade in sub-saharan Africa, commonly known as Fish Trade Program. The overall objective is to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in sub- Saharan Africa by enhancing the capacities of regional and pan-african organizations to support their Member States to better integrate intra-regional fish trade into their development and food security policy agendas. 4.7 Domestication of the SADC Protocol on Fisheries in the Member States The 11 SADC Member States presented their progress reports towards the implementation/domestication of the SADC Protocol on Fisheries. Member States also provided highlights on work that is been done in the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the respective countries. Most SADC Member States have done well in ensuring that the Protocol is domesticated. Most countries have demonstrated how most articles of the Protocol are being implemented, and in other countries there have been efforts in ensuring alignment of domestic fisheries policies and legislation with the SADC Protocol on Fisheries. Countries with shared fisheries resources have tried to harmonize their policies. 15

16 Most countries participate actively in the international fisheries arrangements like the Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs) and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). Most countries have also ratified and are implementing international instruments, especially those recognised in the Protocol. There is a need to harmonize this approach. There are still challenges as most countries lacks capacity and resources to service their respective sectors. Several issues were highlighted, like issues with regard to different countries approach to fisheries licensing, and also licensing of fishing vessels. The other challenge which must be addressed is the ineffective/inactive management structures established in the management of shared fisheries resources in the region. There is a need to take stock on the existing arrangements and evaluate their effectiveness and propose mechanisms for improvement. Issues of management of exotic species that have been introduced in shared water resources, especially those escaping from aquaculture establishments, need to be addressed. Issues of information and knowledge are common to all Member States and there is a need to address this gap. The Secretariat, working with partners, has been requested to explore establishment of an information portal which can be used as a depository of relevant information that can be used by Member States. In addition, there is a need for a platform or network for sharing of information and experiences of specific issues like MCS, aquaculture and fish diseases. 16

17 4.8 AfDB/SADC cooperation in sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development The AfDB representative, Dr. Tounkara, Chief Fisheries Experts gave a presentation on the bank s Ten Year Strategy which has identified five priority areas that are important for advancing Africa s Transformative Agenda. The five priority areas include the following: Light up and power Africa, Feed Africa, Integrate Africa, Industrialize Africa, and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. In recognizing the importance of agriculture to food security, economic growth and thus poverty reduction, the bank is driving the African Agricultural Transformation Agenda whose goals include the following: a) Transformation of Africa s rural communities into thriving hubs of food, fibre, and feed production and processing through an increase in agricultural productivity / production and linkage to domestic and foreign markets; b) Self-sufficiency of African Nations in food production, and bringing down the prices of food for rural and urban populations via policy reforms that stimulate efficient local production, processing, and marketing, and discourage food importation; c) Massive employment of youths and women by the creation of millions of small and medium scale agricultural enterprises; d) Poverty eradication and improved livelihoods via increased incomes from agricultural activities; and e) Government-enabled strong private sector participation in agricultural transformation. For fisheries and aquaculture in the region, the AfDB has already been engaging with the Secretariat and there is already one project in the pipeline, which will later in the year undergo appraisal. This project is the establishment of the Regional Fisheries MCS Coordination Centre for Southern Africa. The bank has also prioritised Blue Economy and is encouraging the region to develop and implement concrete actions aimed at transforming the aquaculture value chain for support by AfDB. The AfDB indicated that it is expecting to receive a request from SADC through the Secretariat for the development of the Blue Economy framework and development of a regional programme for investment and reforms targeting aquaculture value chain initially. The AfDB presentation was followed by presentations from other partners. The AU- IBAR, which indicated that at the 32 nd Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries to be held in Rome, Italy from July 2016, they will in collaboration with NPCA, organize side events which will focus on the Malabo Declaration, and also help AU Member 17

18 States to build coherent positions that will allow Africa to speak with one voice during the Session. The FAO acknowledged the gesture by AU-IBAR and NPCA and indicated that this has helped the process of decision making at COFI advocating for the issues of Africa and other developing countries. The LTA also gave a presentation on the work they are currently doing towards sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture development on the lake. This was followed by a presentation from the representative of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) Interim Secretariat for the African Chapter, which is based in South Africa. The presentation advised the meeting about the World Aquaculture Conference which will be held in South Africa in 2017 and encouraged SADC Member States to participate at this conference, which is the first to be held on the African continent. It also outlined the intentions of WAS to establish an African Chapter and encouraged delegates to consider joining the Chapter as it offers a lot of benefits, which will in the long run benefit the growth of aquaculture on the continent. Lastly WWF indicated that they have undergone institutional review and the new coordinator will be employed soon. 5. SADC FISHERIES PUBLICATION The FTC adopted the proposed SADC Fisheries Factsheet as presented by the Secretariat, and welcomed it as a good initiative that will keep them informed of what is happening in region. The SADC Fisheries Fact Sheet is aimed at profiling key fisheries activities in the SADC Member States with the aim of raising the profile of fisheries in the region. 18 The first publication has already been published as pilot, and focused on the state of fisheries and aquaculture in the Republic of Mozambique. This document provides a summary of the fisheries resources in terms of production (capture and aquaculture), brief structure of the fisheries and aquaculture sector and contribution national GDP, and to food and nutritional security. It also features some interesting facts of fisheries sector, like policies and highlights of key fisheries activities at national and regional levels.

19 6. CLOSING OF THE MEETING The representative of the Chair, Dr. Cyril Taolo, provided closing remarks by thanking everyone for their positive participation and contributions to the meeting. He also thanked the SADC Secretariat for organizing the meeting in Botswana and thanked partner organizations, AU-IBAR, NPCA and WFC for supporting participation of Member States. The next meeting of the FTC will be held at a date during May or June in 2017 to be agreed upon between Secretariat and the host, Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland. This is a publication of the SADC Secretariat, 2016 For more information: Dr. Motseki Hlatshwayo Technical Advisor: Fisheries Directorate: Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources SADC Secretariat, Gaborone, Botswana mhlatshwayo@sadc.int Tel: