Zambian stakeholders are meeting in Lusaka to align country’s fisheries policy with continental and global strategies.
Hosted by the African Union – Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with Zambia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock from 16-19 June, the four-day consultative workshop is a key step in implementing the AU’s transformative Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS) for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Stakeholders are working to integrate national fisheries and aquaculture strategies and national agricultural investment plans with the PFRS while also incorporating relevant global instruments and climate change adaptation measures.
In his opening remarks on Monday, Fredrick Mwila, acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, reiterated Zambia’s commitment to boosting the fisheries sector.
“We aim to grow our annual fish output to 225,000 metric tonnes by 2026 by scaling up fingerling production and enhancing monitoring and surveillance systems,” he said, noting that harmonising legislation is vital for long-term policy coherence.
The PFRS, adopted following a 2010 call from the Conference of African Ministers on Fisheries and Aquaculture, offers a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable governance, enhanced institutional frameworks and climate resilience in Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
AU-IBAR director Patricia Lumba highlighted the bureau’s role in supporting member states.
“The PFRS and the Africa Blue Economy Strategy are not just policy tools – they are instruments of transformation for communities, economies and ecosystems across Africa,” she said, noting that Zambia is the 16th country to receive this support.
Government officials, regional bodies, researchers and consultants are using the workshop to review findings from national consultations on the PFRS and develop actionable policy recommendations.
Sessions are focusing on identifying gaps in Zambia’s national frameworks, integrating climate-smart strategies into investment planning and recommending legal and institutional reforms for sustainable fisheries management.
The workshop is expected to culminate in a consolidated communiqué outlining key agreements, next steps and Zambia’s roadmap for policy alignment.
JN/APA