Consultations have begun on a new fisheries and aquaculture bill for Zimbabwe.
The new legislation would be the first of its kind and aligns with government aims to improve the ease of doing business in the country.
Speaking at a meeting in Harare to launch discussions, the Honourable Davis Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, said: “This bill is expected to bring all regulations on aquaculture production and conservation under one roof.”
“The current regulatory framework is impeding growth and investment. The cost of compliance is too high for farmers, while investors are facing too many levies to government departments,” he added.
The meeting was organised by FISH4ACP, an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and implemented by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to help Zimbabwe establish a sustainable and productive tilapia aquaculture sector.
“I’m convinced that this bill will result in increased investment and production in Zimbabwe’s fisheries and aquaculture sector,” said Patrice Talla, FAO subregional coordinator for Southern Africa and representative to Zimbabwe.
More than 40 government officials, fishing industry captains and business leaders came together to discuss the framework and the process for developing the bill. They agreed on a roadmap for consultations involving stakeholders across the sector.
The bill is expected to be considered for debate in parliament and passing into law by the end of 2023.
