Harare: Government officials, industry leaders, civil society representatives, and private sector stakeholders have initiated consultations on a pioneering fisheries and aquaculture bill for Zimbabwe. This landmark legislation represents a significant step forward for the Southern African nation in its efforts to strengthen and expand its fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Honourable Davis Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, highlighted the importance of the new bill during a meeting in Harare to kick off consultations. He emphasized that the legislation aims to consolidate regulations governing aquaculture production and conservation, streamlining the regulatory framework to facilitate growth and investment in the sector.
Marapira noted that the current regulatory landscape poses challenges for farmers and investors, with high compliance costs and multiple levies to government departments hindering progress. The proposed bill seeks to address these issues, aligning with Zimbabwe’s broader objectives of enhancing the ease of doing business and fostering economic development.
Organized by FISH4ACP, a global initiative supporting aquatic value chain development under the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), the meeting in Harare focused on advancing Zimbabwe’s tilapia aquaculture sector. The aim is to create a productive, sustainable industry that contributes to poverty alleviation, food security, and economic growth within the country.
The new bill represents a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, signalling a concerted effort to enact comprehensive legislation that supports the industry’s growth and development.