Linking the SDG agenda in Africa by embracing the fisheries sector
Researchers at the National Fisheries Research Institute in Kajjansi. Photo by Lominda Afedraru
The Rio +20 United Nations meeting on Sustainable Development which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 2012, focused on institutional framework for sustainable development.
One of the major issues discussed was about the advancement of the green economy concept where communities are urged to look at eradication of poverty for sustainable economic growth while considering conservation of ecosystem including fishing activities in seas, oceans, lakes, rivers plus aquaculture, shipping, use of port facilities, submarine mining, tourism, energy and biotechnology.
The marine environment provides humanity with a countless of services ranging from food security and climate regulation to nutrient cycling and natural storm protection.
These in turn supports livelihoods in sectors ranging from tourism to fisheries but the last three to four decades have seen increasing degradation of water bodies as a result of pollution from land-based challenges, overfishing and climate change.
This is threatening the livelihoods of millions of people around the world who depend on these critical ecosystems for their primary source of protein and for job security both directly and indirectly.
With a growing population, set to rise from seven billion today to over nine billion by 2050, these pressures and impacts are likely to intensify unless the world becomes more intelligent about managing these essential resources.
This is an analysis from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) 2012 report about the Green Economy in a Blue World stressing issues on how key sectors that are interlinked with the marine and coastal environment can be handled by Nations for economic development.
Looking at Africa, development partners like the African Union (AU) in collaboration with European Union have developed a project to cover the fisheries sector for growth of the green economy.
In a paper presented by Mr. Dinesh Aryal Natural Resources Management Specialist at the World Bank department of Environment and Natural Resources on August 25, 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya during stakeholders meeting about the importance of the green economy in relation to protection of ecosystem , he noted that the pilot project lasting one and half months worthy 11,681,500 Euros funded by EU to be implemented in 54 African Union (AU) member countries Uganda inclusive will focus on improvement of the green economy in fisheries sector.
While giving the overview about opportunities that exist in fisheries sector and its importance to the fishing community Mr Aryal emphasized that over 200 million people are employed in the developing countries and in Africa3.6 million are employed in the fishing sector with up to 16 million along the value chain and processing.
He said fish is a primary source of protein for about 1 billion people in the developing countries which help in reduction of malnutrition.
The annual value of sale of sea food in Africa is worthy $5 billion about Shs17 trillion and Africa’s net exporter of fish is valued at $4.8 billion about Shs16.3 trillion. Coastal communities are the frontline of the impact of climate change like ocean acidification, shrubs and sea level rise.
“In order to maintain this economic value, effects of climate change on the water bodies has to be mitigated like maintaining mangroves, forests which are near water bodies and sea grass beds are critical for blue carbon, he explained.
Other challenges include vulnerability of fishermen to storms and excessive juvenile fish catchment which reduces productivity and healthy live cycles.
Mr Aryal says that for the blue economy to grow in Africa there is need for increasing sustainable harvest of fish, seafood, sea grass, seaweed, mangrove forests and securing domestic economic return from fisheries and aquaculture.
Reversing habitat loss and managing pollution to maintain vital coastal ecosystem services is another solution.
Supporting entrepreneurs by creating jobs from innovations in ocean climate solutions and tourism is a key factor.
Giving details of Africa’s business plan in regard to climate change effect, he noted that the new World Bank Africa Climate Business Plan outlines a number of concrete actions designed to increase climate resilience and promote low-carbon development in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The pan aims to accelerate resource mobilisation to boost Africa’s ability to adapt to a changing climate while reducing greenhouse emissions.
The plan presented at Climate COP21 committed to raise US$16 billion about Shs71.5 trillion in support of climate resilience, including, US$1.2 billion about Shs4.1 trillion in support of the ocean economy and coastal resilience.
World Bank country dialogue is used to promote climate resilience Blue Economy approaches in several sectors including fisheries being the major one.
West Africa Regional Fisheries Program (WARFP) and South-West Indian Ocean Fisheries Programs (SWIOFP) are used to advance climate smart ocean economy focusing on livelihoods and integration of the climate factor into fisheries management.
Commitment to research
The types of fish in the coastal area of Indian Ocean covering Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia a major factor in the plan to be considered are Arsanal fisheries (it is in internal waters and territorial waters) Covering 20,500 km2
There are about 33 fish species in the inshore waters with 15 fish species of commercial importance each contributing above 2% in total weight
They include shrimps, tuna species with estimated fish stock amounting 25,000 metric tons per annum.
Uganda’s focus on green economy is geared towards embracing science and technology innovations and this includes the fishing sector.
In a report by Nema presented at the Rio conference in 2012, it echoed Uganda’s commitment in research and technology development and transfer is a critical area in the development of a green economy.
As such, Uganda should build and strengthen the capacities of its centres of excellence in research and technology development.
Scientists conducting research in fisheries sector dwell much about improving fish varieties in fresh water lakes like Lake Victoria.
The Director National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFRRI) Dr Anthony Taabu Munyaho says that much of the work done in Uganda is all about breeding fish stocks in fresh water lakes which is supplied to farmers practicing aqua culture. Those engaged in cage fish farming on lakes , he says, are advised to catch fish stock which is ready for harvesting
This is he says will lead towards sustaining the green economy as a contribution to the country’s economic growth.
In the 2016/17 budget it is stated that fish production in Uganda increased by 10.1 percent from about 420,000 Metric Tons last year to about 460,000 Metric Tons this year.
