NEPAD, FAO Stakeholders Gather in South Africa to Discuss on Fisheries, Aquaculture

The New Economic Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the Food and Agricultural Development (FAO) is organization a stakeholder’s consultation that will zero in on the governance of fisheries and aquaculture.

The Senior Fishery Planning Officer, FAO, Rome, Dr. Nathanael Hishamunda who stated this said this is the first Stakeholder Consultation Meeting that is jointly organized by NEPAD and the FAO and that it is in support of the implementation of the FAO Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa.

According to him, the Consultation will in Midrand, South Africa on 10-12 May 2011 at Indaba Hotel & Conference Centre, Johannesburg adding that it will bring together participants from regional fisheries organizations, regional economic communities, donors as well as civil society.

“The three-day event will consist of a one-day plenary session and two days of consultation in working groups. The aim is to strengthen and accelerate the fisheries and aquaculture sector in terms of their governance, management and adaptability to climate change,” he stated.

He continued: “ By doing this, the participants will address the rising importance of fisheries in meeting the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) objectives; and the sector's crucial role in economic development and poverty alleviation in Africa, in line with the CAADP targets.”

On the objectives of the meeting Hishamunda said it is to participate and contribute to fisheries and programs and closely link to existing and emerging regional and sub-regional fisheries organizations; to identify a new program to support the implementation of the FAO strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa.

Others he noted are to support the development and implementation of a Comprehensive African Fisheries Reform Strategy promoted by the Partnership for African Fisheries (PAF) under the NEPAD Action Plan for the Development of African Fisheries and Aquaculture - as was recommended by the recent Conference of African Ministers of Fisheries & Aquaculture (CAMFA).

He noted that the FAO Strategy for Fisheries & Aquaculture in Africa is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).