About the Zambia Forum for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Given the value of the fisheries sub sector, it is important to develop a national response so as to formulate practical management strategies that will focus on managing fisheries and aquaculture agribusiness resilience. This will build capacity for the sub sector to withstand shocks from natural phenomena or human induced activities and ensure food and nutrition security for the fish-dependent riparian communities and the country as a whole. Considering the diversity of the players contributing (directly and indirectly) to the sector, it is important to create a platform that will congregate stakeholders to share ideas on how best the fisheries sector (including aquaculture) can be managed sustainably
The Zambia Forum for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (ZFSFA) for policy and strategy support to the fisheries and aquaculture sector aims to engage all interested stakeholders operating in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The main focus of the platform will be supporting the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to develop relevant legislations, strategies and policies in the sector that will foster development in the sector at national level. The platform encourages and appreciates engagement for cooperation and development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
The ZFSFA will provide the opportunity to participants to identify key achievements, gaps, and challenges in efforts to enhance the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The stakeholders will elaborate recommendations that will assist the Zambian Government to enhance the fisheries and aquaculture sector and contribute to the development of the sector.
Vision
Sustainable Fisheries for Healthy Diets and Wealth Creation for All.
Objective
To support the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, through the Department of Fisheries, in developing and transforming capture fisheries and aquaculture management and development in Zambia.
Mission
Providing Guidance for the Sustainable Development of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector through an Integrated Approach.
the forum structure
The ZFSFA for policy and strategy to support the Fisheries and Aquaculture sub-sector aims to engage through a Public and the Private sector dialogue forum with all interested stakeholders operating under the sub-sector.
Governing Council (GC): The Governing Council is a guiding and coordination body for the Forum; that is made up of members representing different
Technical Working Groups (TWGs): The TWGs are headed by a Chairperson and two Co- Chairpersons. Whereas, the Department of Fisheries is the Secretariat for the GC. The Governing Council will receive technical reports from all Chairpersons of the TWGs and will make recommendations to MoFL for consideration.
- Sector Growth, Trade and Value Chains Development; ·
- Aquaculture Management; ·
- Fisheries, Aquaculture Research and Development;
- Capture Fisheries, Conservation and Governance; ·
- Communications and Outreach.
Functions of the Five TWGs?
- The five TWGs have a mandate to provide a structured, participatory and inclusive dialogue aimed at reviewing the National Fisheries and Aquaculture policy documents which have since been approved by the Government of Zambia;
- Conducting policy analysis, making suggestions and recommendations to review policies and strategies to the Governing Council for consideration.
- To ensure the Sustainability of all the TWGs; there is a strong link between the Technical Working Groups and the Governing Council;
- Membership to all the Technical Working Groups is open and voluntary to all actors active in the sub sector;
- The TWGs among others reviews concept notes, conducts curriculum reviews, and the development and adaptation of Fisheries and Aquaculture manuals; · The TWGs meetings are scheduled and held virtually; ·
- The Department of Fisheries is the Secretariat for the Forum, and encourages both hybrid (physical and virtual) meetings with funds permitting to hold such meetings.
