SADC Drives Regional Fisheries Reform and Blue Economy Growth
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has successfully convened its 43rd Technical Committee on Fisheries (TCF), bringing together senior government officials, regional partners and key stakeholders to advance sustainable fisheries management across the region.
Held from 26 to 27 March 2026 and hosted by the South Africa in its capacity as SADC Chair, the meeting attracted representatives from ministries responsible for fisheries and aquaculture across 16 Member States.
The TCF, established under the SADC Protocol on Fisheries, continues to play a pivotal role in coordinating regional efforts to ensure the responsible and sustainable use of aquatic resources. Adopted on 14 August 2001 in Blantyre, Malawi, the Protocol seeks to maximise the socio-economic benefits of fisheries and aquaculture while safeguarding ecosystems.
Deliberations during the two-day meeting focused on reviewing progress on several key regional initiatives. These included the domestication of the Protocol on Fisheries, implementation of the Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors in the SADC Region (PROFISHBLUE) Project, and the establishment of the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC) in Mozambique.
Participants also examined a range of technical and policy documents earmarked for validation, ahead of their anticipated endorsement at a joint Ministerial meeting scheduled for May 2026. The upcoming session is expected to bring together Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture to formalise regional commitments.
In her opening remarks, Ms Ndapanda Kanime, Acting Director for Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the SADC Secretariat, underscored the importance of collaboration among Member States.
“Your presence here reflects your unwavering commitment to the sustainable management and protection of our fisheries resources,” she said. “We remain dedicated to supporting Member States in strengthening collective efforts to ensure fisheries continue to contribute to food security, economic growth and regional integration.”
Regional partners and development agencies reiterated their support for fisheries initiatives through technical assistance and financial backing, noting that sustained investment is essential to achieving long-term development goals in the sector.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for stronger collaboration and active engagement among stakeholders, recognising the fisheries and aquaculture sector as a critical driver of economic growth and food security in the SADC region, while emphasising the need to protect aquatic ecosystems for future generations.
