Major decisions and recommendations
52. The Second Technical Consultation took note of the good follow-up action on fisheries research use and needs; integrated management programmes for the Lake; fisheries co-management; and the assistance from FAO. It was however, strongly recommended that in future more efforts should be taken to follow-up on the implementations of all decisions and recommendations made at joint meetings.
Co-management in fisheries
53. It was noted that both Zambia and Zimbabwe have made progress to develop the co-management mechanism in order to facilitate the development and sustainable management of Lake Kariba Fisheries. It was recommended that the processes of co-management should be supported and strengthened by the ministries responsible for fisheries as well as the Park and Wildlife Management Authority in the case of Zimbabwe. Additionally, in strengthening co-management the role of women, gender balance and equity should be given serious consideration and priority.
Kapenta fishery (the introduced Limnothrissa miodon)
54. The kapenta fishery is a major activity in both Zambia and Zimbabwe and contributes to the nutrition, food security and national economies, despite the declining stock and other negative impacts on kapenta, it was recommended that fisheries research addresses the problem of the low level of the landed fish catches particularly during the cold season; and that management resolves the issue of safety of fishing, pilferage and high cost of fishing equipment.
Artisanal fishery
55. The delegates took note of the important contribution of the artisanal fisheries to food security around Lake Kariba as well as the numerous problems faced by the artisanal fishers. It was strongly recommended that the riparian governments of Lake Kariba, the Park and Wildlife management Authority, NGOs, and IGOs including FAO give support the artisanal fishery in order to eliminate the following constraints:
High cost of equipment (nets, boats, twine);
Lack of extension services and data recorders;
Lack of financing mechanisms;
Unlicensed fishers contributing to IUU;
Difficult in water transport; and
Destruction of gillnets and other gears by other lake users.
Status of fisheries in the Zambia and Zimbabwe sector
56. The Technical Consultation noted there are acute scarcity of financial and human resources to conduct applied fisheries research; to collect fisheries statistic, socio-economic data and biological data; and also to implement an effective monitoring, control and surveillance system lake wide. It was strongly recommend that the riparian governments and the PWMA of Zimbabwe provide adequate funding and human resources to research, extension services, management authorities.
57. It was also recommended that policy and decision makers in the two countries support periodical frame survey and catch assessment surveys which provide vital information needed for planning sustainable fisheries management and development.
Pollution and management degradation
58. The Technical Consultation reviewed and discussed possible sources of pollution environmental degradation and likely effluent of heavy metal into Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River system. It was recommended that the environmental institutions in the riparian countries of Lake Kariba together with the Zambezi River Authority, implement a system to monitor the impact on the following:
Mining activities;
urbanization;
the discharge of domestic, animal and industrial waste;
deforestation;
erosion;
pesticides;
aquatic weed infestation; and
occurrence of copper, lead, mercury, manganese, nickel and zinc.
Conservation of biodiversity and control of alien species
59. The Technical Consultation noted the use of alien species in fish farming including cage culture on Lake Kariba. It was recommended that the riparian governments take the necessary measures to protect the indigenous species by controlling further introduction of herbivorous and predatory fish species in the Kariba system.
Development of culture-based fisheries around Lake Kariba and along the Zambezi River
60. It was recommended that the riparian countries of Lake Kariba adopt a precautionary approach in developing and management of aquaculture around Lake Kariba and along the Zambezi Basin.
Fisheries policy, legislation and management plans
61. The Technical Consultation noted the lack of fisheries policy, up to date fisheries Acts and fisheries management plans in both Zambia and Zimbabwe. The absence of these management tools impedes sustainable fisheries management and development. It was therefore recommended that the riparian governments provide the necessary financial and human resources to establish these tools and mechanisms.
62. The Technical Consultation called on FAO to assist Zambia and Zimbabwe in formulating viable national fisheries policies.
Monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS)
63. The Technical Consultation noted the importance of MCS in sustainable fisheries management and development and recommended that the MCS system be strengthened in order to:
ensure compliance with fisheries management rules, and
collect scientific and other information relating to fishing activities to form foundation for the devising of sound fisheries management measures.
64. It was also recommended that the two governments (Zambia and Zimbabwe) provide adequate funding for the effective implementation of MCS.
International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU)
65. The delegates agreed that Zambia and Zimbabwe should take the necessary measure to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated Fishing (IUU) around Lake Kariba. It was also recommended that the fisheries management authorities in the two governments take urgent steps to develop a National Plan of Action (NPOA-IUU) as well as a Regional Plan of Action (RPOA-IUU) for Lake Kariba to be implemented by the two countries.
Regional cooperation and collaboration in fisheries management
66. It was acknowledged that there is a need to strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration in the management of transboundary fisheries of shared lakes and rivers. It was noted that within the secretariat of both SADC and COMESA there is no fisheries representation to facilitate member countries coming together to discuss common fisheries development and management and fisheries trade. The Delegates at the Consultation called on the Governments of the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe to inform the SADC and COMESA Secretariats about the urgent need for a fisheries desk officer to deal with fisheries matter on a day to day basis.
