East african fisheries industry stakeholders are working on a joint policy that seeks to harmonise the sector’s operations to attract investors, especially in the aquaculture sub-sector, in a bid to increase fish production.

Dr Oliva C. Mkumbo (pictured below), the deputy executive secretary of Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO), said the organisation is conducting consultative meetings across the region to gather stakeholders’ views and ideas to enrich the draft policy.

"We want to add value to our products to increase earnings and help improve the livelihoods of the people,” she said during a national stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the East African Community (EAC) draft policy on fisheries and aquaculture Kigali last week.

The draft policy seeks to promote co-operation regarding fisheries management in transboundary waters, and ensure traceability, quality and safety of traded fish and fishery products, and reduce illegal unreported and unregulated fishing across borders. It also aims to promote the development of responsible aquaculture, enhance coherence in policy implementation with linkage to African Union fisheries policy framework, as well as ensure accurate and regular update of fisheries data, and advocate for improved governance.

"Therefore, the policy will guide us on how best to sustainably manage our resources and add value to the products we are getting, as well as develop aquaculture sector to meet the high demand in the region,” Mkumbo said.

LVFO co-ordinates the management and development of fisheries and aquaculture sector in the EAC region.

Speaking at the event, Dr Wilson Rutaganira, the co-ordinator of aquaculture and fisheries programme at the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), said the government had already committed to promote fish production by investing Rwf5 billion in the next five years to attract investment in aquaculture.

"Good policy mechanisms are also required to regulate and guide the sector. We want to prove to investors the business feasibility and help them win banks’ trust for loans for aquaculture,” Dr Rutaganira pointed out.

In Rwanda, the fisheries and aquaculture contribution to the GDP is still minimal, at a mere 0.03 per cent, according to a 2012 survey, making Rwanda the least country producer of fish in the region. Fish consumption in Rwanda stands at 2.5kg per capita per year, one of the lowest in the region. The sub-Saharan African average is 6.5kg per capita per year.

"We want to increase annual production to 130,000 tonnes by 2020, up from 27,000 tonnes in 2014...this is a realistic target considering that eight per cent of the country is covered by water bodies,” Rutaganira said.

Meanwhile, local fishermen and fish farmers have called for government support, saying high cost of fish feeds and lack of efficient fishing equipment in the country are affecting the sector.

"The government should also take tough measures against illegal fishing and use of illegal gear as they are hurting the sector. Use fake fish nets risks depleting the fisheries stock, so the government should take deterrent measures before it is too late,” said Théophille Nyandwi, the chairperson of the Fishers Federation in Rwanda.

Jean Claude Nzeyimana, a fish farmer in Rusizi District, said it would be more profitable if fish feeds were produced locally since it would help cut costs.

Dr Rutaganira said government will fix fishing irregularities, as well as equip fish dealers with the necessary skills, and encourage more investments into the aquaculture sector.

Article 114 of the EAC Treaty provides for the adoption of common policies and regulations for the conservation, management and development of fisheries resources, including establishment of common fisheries management and investment guidelines for inland and marine waters.

business@newtimes.co.rw