Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states are intensifying efforts to modernize their fisheries and aquaculture systems as the region faces a staggering deficit of 1.6 million tonnes of fish. This shortfall poses a significant threat to food security and the livelihoods of over 260 million people across the region.
The urgency of this crisis was highlighted at the 8th PROFISHBLUE project technical committee meeting, which concluded in Harare last Friday. During the two-day deliberations, regional experts, government officials, and development partners validated crucial policy and technical frameworks. These frameworks are set to be presented this week at the SADC Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture in Victoria Falls.
Key Players Involved
- SADC PROFISHBLUE Programme Coordinator Dr. Alexander Kefi: Emphasized the need for urgent regional action to address the massive fish shortfall.
- Zimbabwean Government: Hosted the critical PROFISHBLUE technical committee meeting in Harare and is preparing to host the SADC Joint Ministerial Meeting in Victoria Falls.
Event Timeline
- May 22, 2026 (Last Friday): 8th PROFISHBLUE project technical committee meeting concluded in Harare, validating key policy and technical frameworks.
- This Week (May 25-31, 2026): SADC Joint Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture to be held in Victoria Falls, where the validated frameworks will be presented.
