This Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa is a multilateral document aiming at facilitating coherent policy development for the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture resources in the member states of the African Union to optimize benefits from their natural resources. Furthermore, it guides good governance principles considered as best practices in fisheries management. The Strategy sets out the following main strategic objectives (i) elaborating essential guiding principles for the good governance of Africa’s fisheries for increased coherence and coordination of the sector; (ii) assisting the AU Member States, Members, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Fisheries Organizations (RFBs) to develop realistic fisheries and aquaculture policies by suggesting standards and best practices for the sector’s benefits, in terms of food security, employment, and income; (iii) helping facilitate regional collaboration and integration in shared fisheries and aquaculture resources management; (iv) providing appropriate guidance on how to implement reforms for fisheries and aquaculture development; (v) facilitating the adoption of relevant provisions in international fisheries management instruments; (vi) facilitating advocacy for increased investment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Six particularly critical fields are identified and for which the reforms are particularly important, and they are: (1) conservation and sustainable resource use; (2) small-scale fisheries development; (3) responsible and equitable fish trade and marketing; (4) strengthened regional and sub-regional cooperation; (5) awareness enhancing and human-capacity development; (6) high seas fisheries. The Strategy deems it necessary to intervene with a reform in the production system by (i) promoting market-led sustainable aquaculture through a variety of strategies and, where appropriate, supporting interventionist development approaches in aquaculture by strong strategic and implementation plans; (ii) accelerating the development of aquaculture at the regional level, with support from donors, loan guarantee funds for investments and promote the deliverance of insurance; (iii) encourage PPPs in aquaculture research. Fisheries and aquaculture can help in reducing food insecurity. In particular, it is necessary to improve and strengthen the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and develop mechanisms to increase fish consumption within Africa. The document highlights also the importance of the improvement of quality and safety of products to better access regional and international markets by implementing traceability mechanisms and putting in place surveillance systems for seafood and aquaculture. The sustainability of the sector shall be improved by encouraging African countries to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the FAO Port States Measures Agreement, as well as (i) promoting efficient and sustainable management of fisheries resources and biodiversity conservation; (ii) improving regional cooperation and collaboration for sustainable fisheries management; (iii) developing and sharing registers of authorized fishing and illegal fishing vessels; (iv) strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerabilities to climate change. To create inclusive economic and social growth, the document suggests (i) improving and strengthening the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and socio-economic benefits of fishing communities; (ii) improving fisheries governance through participatory management; (iii) improving and aligning trade systems between the Member States; (iv) enhancing the capacity of fisheries and aquaculture traders by putting in place efficient fish trade information systems; (v) increasing awareness of the potential and importance of the sector; (vi) improving wider participation and empowerment of women in the fish trade sector; (vii) including gender and youth considerations in policy, laws, and plans. As for Governance, it is required to (i) establish national and subnational governance and institutional arrangements that ensure that the societal contribution generated by Africa’s sectors have the greatest impacts at the most appropriate level; (ii) design and apply appropriate users rights-based systems; (iii) conduct fisheries within enforceable regulatory frameworks; (iv) strengthen the scientific and socioeconomic basis for fisheries management and aquaculture development.
2014-05-01