The Lake Victoria Fisheries Management Plan III (FMP III) 2016 – 2020 whose goal is: “Recovery of biomass of Nile perch with Sustainable utilization of fisheries resources of Lake Victoria basin with equitable opportunities and benefits”, was recently launched at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania..
The FMP III is expected to guide the sustainable management of the fisheries resources and thus contribute to poverty alleviation and improvement of livelihoods, in line with the EAC Vision and Strategy Framework for Management and Development of the Lake Victoria basin; “a prosperous population, living in a healthy and sustainably managed environment providing equitable opportunities and benefits”.
Gracing the event as the Guest of Honour was Dr. Yohanna Budeba; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries who launched the FMP III. In his remarks, he welcomed the fisheries stakeholders present at the meeting to the venue.
He began by emphasizing the value of fisheries as a resource within the EAC region, adding that it provides massive opportunities because it is a source of income, it creates employment opportunities in both industrial and artisanal processing, it is a source of food rich in omega III, iron, zinc and calcium which can go a long way in addressing malnutrition and stunted growth in children and it also attracts foreign exchange from exports in more than 20 countries internationally.
Also present at the launch was the Executive Secretary for Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization; Godfrey Monor who reported that there are several challenges that the Lake Victoria Fisheries is faced with which FMP III aims to address. These include: increased fishing pressure as a result of increasing demand and rising prices of fish and fisheries products; inadequate and unsustainable funding to implement research and agreed management interventions; increased illegalities due to weak enforcement; inadequate infrastructure for fish quality and safety, under developed aquaculture to meet the demand of fish and relieve fishing pressure from capture fishery, and other challenges caused by climate change. “In order to curtail the decline of natural resources within and around the Lake, the commitment from the Partner States should be translated to action for sustainability of our fisheries resources”.
On behalf of Jesca Eriyo; the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, the Senior Livestock and Fisheries Officer; Timothy Wesonga affirmed that the FMP III was developed in a consultative manner in which key stakeholders were consulted and involved. Therefore, there was a reckonable sense of ownership and participation in the development of the FMP III. “The FMP III is amongst a number of instruments developed by EAC to direct the management of fisheries resources in Lake Victoria.
2016 AllAfrica