Boaz Blackie Keizire Senior Fisheries Economist bboaz.maaif@infocom.co.ug

1. IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY RESPONSE PACKAGESto Promote Sustainable Management of Fisheries in Uganda Boaz Blackie Keizire Senior Fisheries Economist bboaz.maaif@infocom.co.ug

3. In this presentation • The Uganda Fisheries Policy Environment [contents and key policy areas] • The EPRC/UNEP Study - highlights of the study findings and key policy recommendations • The Workshop - • as a consultative process • key recommendations [in relation to EIs and CAC] • What is Uganda doing so far in terms solving fisheries management problems [CAC Vs Eis] • Conclusions

4. Importance of Fisheries in the Economy • Contributes 2.2% to total GDP • Second largest foreign exchange earner to the economy • employs over 700,000 people directly and over 1,000,000 people indirectly • Export earnings have increased from US$30 million in 1999 to US$78 million in 2001 and now have been recorded at US$ 85.8 million in 2002.

5. The Policy • National Vision • Fisheries Vision: “an ensured sustainable exploitation of the fishery resources at the highest possible levels, thereby maintaining fish availability for both present and future generations without degrading the environment”

6. Background to the Policy • The importance of fisheries in Uganda • The need for the policy • Scope

7. Uganda’s Obligations under International Law • The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) • The Permanent Tripartite Commission (PTC) • The Ramsar Convention • The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) • Technical Corporation for the Promotion of the Development and Environmental Protection of the NileBasin (Tecconile) 1992

8. Convention for the establishment of the lake Victoria Fisheries Organization 1994 • Agreement on the Preparation of a Tripartite Environmental Management Programme for Lake Victoria 1994 • The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries 1995

9. Key Issues • resource depletion through over-fishing aggravated by use of destructive fishing gear and methods; • eutrophication of the lakes and other forms of pollution; • infestation and rapid spread of water hyacinth and the environmental impacts of the different control options; • inadequate information on the fisheries resources and the state of the aquatic environmental to guide management decisions; • an inappropriate regulatory framework; and • inadequate funding for the fisheries sector activities.

10. The underlying causes for these issues are:- • inappropriate mechanisms for controlling access to fisheries resources; • inadequate monitoring, extension and enforcement mechanisms; • inadequate mobilisation and involvement of the communities in development and management of fisheries resources; • ill-equipped extension services and inadequate research work both of which critically hinder capture fisheries and aquaculture development; • inadequate fisheries infrastructure; and an • absence of regional mechanisms for co-operation and management of some of the shared lakes especially Albert and Edward.

11. Institutional Actors in the Fisheries Sector • Lead Agency & Intersectional Linkages • Current Roles and mandates • Centre Roles • Local Government Roles • Roles of communities • NGOs and CBOs • Role of the private sector • Education, training and Research institutions

12. The guiding principals for the fisheries sector policy are highlighted

13. Fisheries Sector Goal The overall fisheries sector goal is to ensure increased and sustainable fish production and utilisation by properly managing capture fisheries, promoting aquaculture and reducing post harvest losses

14. Policy Areas and Statement • In this: • Policy areas & statements are mentioned • the underlying policy Objectives and Strategies

15. Policy Area 1. Sustainable management and development of fisheries • Fisheries will be managed and developed to promote socially, economically and environmentally sustainable use and development of the resources so as to meet the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

16. Decentralisation and community involvement in fisheries management • Stakeholders will be involved in the management of fisheries by devolving some decision-making responsibilities to local governments and communities.

17. District, sub-county and community co-operation in fisheries management Districts, sub-counties and communities will co-operate in the management of shared fisheries and aquatic ecosystems

18. Investment in fisheries • Public, private sector and community based investment in the fisheries sector that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable will be promoted.

19. Planning and policy making Participatory planning and policy-making will form the basis of fisheries management.

20. Information Effective systems for the collection, compilation, analysis, storage and dissemination of information will be established for planning, management, monitoring and evaluation purposes.

21. The environment and fisheries Adverse environmental impacts on fisheries will be minimised and mechanisms will be established at appropriate levels to achieve this

22. Aquaculture • Aquaculture fish production will be increased so as to reduce the gap between fish supply and the increasing demand for food fish

23. Post-harvest fish quality and added value Measures will be promoted to ensure that the quality, wholesomeness, safety for human consumption and value of harvested fish and fishery products is secured and/or enhanced

24. Fish marketing and trade Measures will be taken to achieve sustainable increases in the value and volume of fish marketed for national consumption and export

25. Human resource development The Government will promote comprehensive training and advisory programmes so as to build human resource capacity to increase levels of knowledge, skill and expertise in the public and private fisheries sub-sectors

26. Research Social, economic, environmental and technical investigation of issues pertinent to fisheries, including the development of appropriate technologies, will be promoted in response to fisheries development and management needs.

27. Support for Policy Implementation • Institutional requirements • The proposed Central Lead Agency • The Law - Fish Act (1964) • other issues like M&E

28. The Project and its Evolution Project Name • Implementation of Policy Response Packages to Promote Sustainable Management of Fisheries in Uganda

29. Project & its Evolution • Jan 1997 - August 1999 - UNEP conducted a Uganda country study on the environmental impacts of trade liberalisation in the fisheries sector. • The study identified significant linkages between recent trade reforms on increased trade activity and environmental degradation.

30. The study also proposed policy instruments that promise to effectively halt trade-related environmental degradation and ensure that Uganda’s trade remains sustainable over the long-term. • The key recommendation of the study was a need to assist national institutions to implement the recommended instruments and the need for a project to mobilize national teams to select and implement policy options identified in the study

31. As a result, UNEP agreed to finance a project to the Government of Uganda (through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries) under the Department of Fisheries Resources to implement policy options identified in the study. • June 2002 an MoU was signed between MAAIF and UNEP with EPRC and NEMA as corroborators to this effect

32. Project Objectives • Enhance co-ordination and co-operation between relevant national organisations working on fisheries related activities. • Enhance awareness and capacity of policy-makers and private sector to implement strategic management responses – particularly Economic Instruments to promote sustainable management of fisheries in three selected districts: • Increase understanding of the constraints and impediments to the successful implementation of economic instruments and identification of ways to achieve better results. • Raise consensus among national stakeholders on approaches to address the sustainable management of fisheries.

33. Key Activities • National stakeholder workshop to outline programme of work and strategy for implementation, • Review policy recommendations from the study in order to identify those that can be implemented. • Identify ways to proceed and plan of action for implementing the selected policy package: including entity(ies) responsible for the implementation of each policy measure • Implementation of the selected policy packages.

34. The Workshop & its Objectives • To develop a strategy for implementation of "Implementation of Policy Response Packages to Promote Sustainable Management of Fisheries in Uganda" project. • Review policy recommendations arising from the country study in order to identify those that can be implemented, • Develop a plan of action for implementing the selected policy packages.

35. The Next Slides………. • What were the policy recommendations in the EPRC/UNEP Study • We look at each policy area and workshop recommendation • Institutional actors are also proposed for each policy recommendation

36. Policy Recommendations - Over fishing Action1: Apply the quota system to fish processing plants Actor - DFR, FIRRI & UFPEA Action 2: Strengthen MCS & harmonize with other countries for shared waters Actor: DFR, Local Authorities & LVFO

37. Action 3: Develop a mechanism for ensuring compliance to regionally agreed decisions Actor 3: LVFO Action 4: Sensitize resource users on responsible fisheries. Actors: DFR, FIRRI, NGOs, Local Governments, NAADS, etc Action 5: Control of fishing effort Actor 5: DFR & Local Authorities

38. Policy Recommendations on Aquaculture Action 1: Promote integrated aquaculture. Actor 1: DFR, FIRRI, Local Authorities, NGOs, Private Sector Action 2: Promote culture of Nile perch. Actor 2: DFR, FIRRI, Local Authorities, NGOs, Private Sector Action 3: Promote production of feeds for fish farming Actor 3: FIRRI & private sector

39. Recommendations on Data Collection Action 1: Develop mechanisms for involving communities in data collection. Actor 1: DFR, FIRRI, NGOs & Local Authorities Action 2: Harmonize data collection and reporting nationally Actor 2: DFR, FIRRI, NGOs & Local Authorities Action 3: establish a reliable information and database system. Actor 3: DFR & FIRRI

40. Policy on outdated Laws (Act) Action 1: Expedite the update of the Fisheries (Act) and development of the associated ordinances and bylaws. Actor1: DFR, Local Authorities & Ministry of Justice, NGOs

41. Recommendation on quality control and infrastructure Action 1: Sensitize stakeholders on hygienic handling of fish. Actor 1: DFR, NGOs, CBOs, Local Authorities Action 2: Provide cold storage facility on boats, landing sites and transport facilities. Actor 2: DFR, Private sector & Local Authorities Action 3: Extend electricity supply and safe water to key landing sites. Actor 3: Ministry of Energy, PMA & MoFPED

42. Action 4: Improve roads to landing sites Actor 4: Local Authorities, MoWHC Action 5: Lobby for reduction of freight charges on fish exports. Actor 5: DFR, UFPEA, MoWHC, CAA

43. Policy recommendations on pollution Action 1: Ensure effective monitoring of effluent discharge standards Actor 1: DWD, NEMA, Private Sector Action 2: The polluter pays principle should be applied. Actor 2: NEMA, MoFPED Action 3: Provide technologies for treatment of water and sewage at landing sites. Actor 3: NWSC, DWD, MUIENR

44. Marketing Action 1: Eco-labeling Actor 1: DFR, UNBS, UFPEA, Private Sector Action 2: Value addition Actor 2: UFPEA, DFR Action 3: Promotion Actor 3: UEPB, UFPEA, DFR

45. Current Fisheries Management Approaches • Strong MCS • Strong Emphasis on Co-management • Quality Assurance activities and ensuring harmonization • others

46. I Thank You Ladies and Gentlemen