Report of the Ninth Session of the Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika

PREPARATION OF THIS DOCUMENT

This is the final version of the report approved on 30 November 2001 in Dar-es-Salaam, Republic of Tanzania by the ninth session of the Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA) Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika.

Distribution:

Members of CIFA
Participants in the Session
Other interested nations and international organizations
FAO Fisheries Department
Fisheries Officers in FAO Regional Offices

ABSTRACT

OPENING OF THE SESSION

1. The ninth session of the Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika of the Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (CIFA) was held from 27 to 30 November 2001 in Dar-es-Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania. The Session was attended by representatives from the four member countries of the Sub-Committee, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia, as well as observers from Finland/FINNIDA, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Global Environmental Facility (GEF), African Development Bank and Japan/JICA. The list of participants is given in Appendix B.

2. The Chairman of the Sub-Committee, Mr Charles Maguswi, welcomed the participants and requested them to introduce themselves.

3. In his welcome address, Mr T.W. Maembe, Director of Fisheries of Tanzania highlighted the multiple purposes use of the lake Tanganyika as a source of fish supply for human consumption, transport, recreation and water supply. He stressed the need for cooperation and collaboration among the members of the Sub-Committee as well as the harmonization of regulations and management measures. Mr Maembe further stressed the need for assisting small-scale fishermen through credit and other sustainable development interventions.

4. The FAO Representative in Tanzania, Mr Omesh Khanna thanked the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting the session and conveyed greetings from the Director-General of FAO, Mr Jacques Diouf, and the Assistant Director-General of the FAO Fisheries Department, Mr I. Nomura and the FAO Subregional Representative for Southern and Eastern Africa, Ms V. Sekitoleko. He encouraged member countries to adopt the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) which is an essential framework for managing and monitoring fisheries.

5. Mr Khanna highlighted the following main objectives of the session: progress of research around the lake; the need for harmonized management measures; the importance of comprehensive fisheries projects and programmes for the lake; and the need to strengthen the future role of the Sub-Committee and the establishment of an intergovernmental fisheries body. He commended the member countries for their cooperation in fisheries activities around the Lake and also the UN Agencies, International Developing Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations who have supported and financed fishery activities around the Lake.

6. The session was officially opened by Professor S. Iddi, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. He emphasized the importance of Lake Tanganyika to the riparian countries as a source of fish for human consumption, employment. The acting Permanent Secretary commended the assistance extended to countries sharing Lake Tanganyika by the donor community. He noted with appreciation the technical assistance provided by FAO to member countries of the Sub-Committee. The Permanent Secretary underscored the need for regional collaboration, research and harmonized management measures. The Permanent Secretary stressed the following major problems on the Lake: poor infrastructure; illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing; and unregulated cross border fishing. The full text of his Opening Speech is given in Appendix D.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN

7. The Session unanimously elected Mr T.W. Maembe, Director of Fisheries, in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania as Chairman; and Mr Kalibu Mino Kahozi, National Co-ordinator, National Service for the Development and Promotion of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, DRC as Vice-Chairman.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SESSION

8. The agenda was adopted as given in Appendix A. The documents presented at the Session are listed in Appendix C.

ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE

9. The Secretariat introduced this Agenda item on the basis of document CIFA:DM/LT/01/2. The Secretariat noted that at its eighth Session held in Lusaka Zambia, from 18 to 21 May 1999, the Sub-Committee made a number of decisions and recommendations which were reviewed by the Eleventh Session of the Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (Abuja, Nigeria, 24 to 27 October 2000). It was recalled that the Sub-Committee focused attention on the following: Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Research; Lake Tanganyika Framework Management Plan; collaboration between community donors Finland/FINNIDA; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the Africa Development Bank in developing a new comprehensive programme for Lake Tanganyika; strengthening of the fisheries Sub-Committee; new functions of the Sub-Committee; and creation of an Intergovernmental Fisheries Body for the Lake.

10. The Sub-Committee noted that member countries have endeavoured to implement recommendations made in past sessions in spite of political, financial and technical constraints. Members of the Sub-Committee noted the need for implementing management recommendations concerning training in fisheries at all levels; strengthening institutional mechanisms for management and enforcement of fisheries legislation. The Sub-Committee was reminded of the importance of social economics data around the lake; poverty alleviation; and comprehensive management measures elaborated in the fisheries framework management plan which was adopted by the eighth session.

STATUS OF NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MONITORING PHASE OF THE LAKE TANGANYIKA FISHERIES RESEARCH PROJECT

11. The Scientific Coordinator of the LTR Project, Prof. Ossi V. Lindqvist and Hannu Molsa, summarized the major output and achievements of the research toward fisheries management on Lake Tanganyika between 1992 and 1999. They also described the activities during the current monitoring phase in the four riparian countries. The main management items of the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Framework Management Plan (FFMP) were also identified. The station co-ordinators in the riparian countries presented additional information on progress made during the monitoring phase of the project.

12. Member of the Sub-Committee reported on the problems facing fisheries management in their respective sectors of Lake Tanganyika.

Burundi

13. The Sub-Committee was informed that the industrial fishing fleet was declining. The following related problems in the Burundi sector of the lake were highlighted:

• use of inadequate reduced mesh nets and unavailability of appropriate fishing gear on the market;

• unidentified spawning grounds and other reserves;

• lack of diverse infrastructures around Lake Tanganyika;

• inadequate funds and resources for fisheries management; and

• inadequate resources for implementing updated legislation, sustained research and permanent monitoring.

Democratic Republic of Congo

14. The Sub-Committee was informed that it is the policy of the government of Democratic Republic of Congo to promote fish production to achieve food self-sufficiency. However, due to political crisis and civil unrest, fishing in the DRC sector of Lake Tanganyika had declined. The fishing fleet is constrained by lack of maintenance, shortage of spare parts and fuel. Fishery data and statistics are almost non-existent.

15. The Sub-Committee was also informed that fisheries administration and management is affected by:

• the remote distance of fishing station for the central administration;

• the lack of budget;

• the lack of motivation;

• the lack of equipment and working facilities;

• deterioration of existing infrastructure; and

• difficulties in implementing regulations.

United Republic of Tanzania

16. The Sub-Committee was informed that fisheries management in the Tanzania sector of Lake Tanganyika is faced with the following specific problems:

• use of inappropriate gill net mesh size;

• lack of protection of seasonal spawning and nursery grounds

• piracy, forcing fishing into inshore waters;

• unregulated cross border fishing;

• unlicensed and poor control of licensed extraction of ornamental fish;

• lack of quota in granting fishing licence;

• post harvest losses during the rainy seasons;

• poor infrastructure; and

• illegal unregulated and unreported fishing

Zambia

17. The Sub-Committee was informed of the fisheries constraints affecting fishing operations and fisheries management

• decline of pelagic fish catches;

• illegal fishing methods (beach seines. small mesh purse seine, etc)

• collection of data, leading to a lot of unreported fishing;

• lack of fisheries policy on shared water bodies;

• inadequate finances to pursue all research programmes; and

• post harvest losses and marketing.

18. It was reported to the Sub-Committee that Zambia proposes the following solutions to improve fisheries management:

• fisheries regulations that consider the biological and general dynamics of the fishes;

• regulation of fisheries activities through legislation of licensing of both industrial and artisanal fisheries;

• introduction of the co-management programme along the lake shores;

• draft Fisheries Policy with a view of presenting it to the appropriate Ministry for onward presentation to Parliament for adoption.

• harmonizing legislation among related acts for a holistic approach to fisheries activities;

• introduction of the Quality Inspection Unit to look at post harvest losses. This Unit will ensure the quality of all fish products that are to go onto the local and foreign markets based on Harzard Anlaysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) (FAO); and

• government's retention of a percentage of the licensing fees and other fees generated from fisheries sector to support co-management structures and mechanisms.

LAKE TANGANYIKA FISHERIES MANAGEMENT ISSUES

19. This Agenda item was introduced by the Secretariat on the basis of document CIFA:DM/LT/01/4. Members of the Sub-Committee noted the following major management issues, requiring immediate interventions:

• The use and implementation of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) and the complimentary fisheries management technical guidelines as well as the FFMP; and

• The establishment of legal institutional arrangements for dealing with monitoring control and surveillance aspects relating to the management of the Lake fisheries.

20. During subsequent interventions by member countries, it was noted that the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries will facilitate implementation of the following measures:

• Conservation of Bio-diversity of aquatic habitats and ecosystem;

• Protection of endangered species;

• Assessment of the impact of adverse environment;

• Control of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing;

• Control of pollution and waste dumps; and

• Control of species introduction to reduce inter-specific competition, which affect fisheries and bio-diversity.

21. The Sub-Committee took note of the need to regulate fishing by eliminating:

i) beach seines and small-sized purse seine;
ii) Effort control on lift nets; and
iii) Control other illegal fishing practices.

22. Concerning monitoring and surveillance the Sub-Committee agreed to take the necessary measures to establish and strengthen the MCS measures in order to:

• Ensure compliance with fisheries management rules; and

• Collect scientific and social economic data to use as a basis for devising sound fishery management measures.

23. Members of the Sub-Committee resolved to take the necessary steps to implement management measures incorporated in framework fisheries management plan as adopted by the eighth session in Lusaka, May 1999. It was recommended to:

• introduce participatory mechanism in fisheries legislation;

• involve stakeholders and traditional authorities in fisheries management;

• facilitate control of access to inshore fisheries by local communities; and

• re-assess fisheries legislation around the lake.

24. The Sub-Committee took note of the proposals for legal institutional mechanism and arrangements to enable the control of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing (IUU) so that the International Plan of Action (IPOA) on the IUU can be adopted and implemented around Lake Tanganyika.

REVIEW OF PREPARATORY WORK FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT FOR LAKE TANGANYIKA SUPPORTED BY GEF AND AfDB

25. This agenda item was introduced by the secretariat on the basis of the document CIFA:DM/LT/01/5. The linkage between the outcome of the Lake Tanganyika Research (LTR) and Lake Tanganyika Bio-diversity (LTB) projects on the one hand and follow up initiatives undertaken since 2000 by UNDP/GEF, the AfDB and FAO on the other hand was reviewed. Two projects are presently being elaborated. The first project is being formulated by the AfDB, in collaboration with FAO. An identification mission and an environmental impact study were undertaken in 2000. On this basis, the preparation phase of the project has been initiated mid 2001 and is presently being concluded. The project aims at implementing the Framework for Fisheries Management Plan (FFMP) approved by the Sub-Committee at its eighth Session. The second project is being formulated by UNDP/GEF on the basis of the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) which was elaborated in 2000 in the context of the Lake Tanganyika project. A preparatory phase of 12 months is being initiated within the context of a PDF-B grant and with the aim of implementing the PAS in relation to four main components: fisheries management, conservation of bio-diversity; the control of pollution; sedimentation; and capacity building.

26. The meeting was also informed of efforts undertaken by major donors since December 2000 to closely co-ordinate their preparatory work and to integrate these two projects - as well as any other potential projects, such as the EU project presently being considered for the improvement of water transportation - under the common framework of a comprehensive Programme for Lake Tanganyika.

27. The representative from the AfDB provided the meeting with complementary information concerning the project under preparation. The objectives of the project are to alleviate poverty, to promote regional integration and to ensure sustainability and environmental protection. Details were provided regarding the various activities to be undertaken under the four main components of the project: promotion of fisheries activities; fisheries management and bio-diversity; institutional strengthening; and project management. Information was provided regarding overall financial requirements (estimated at around $ 50 million of which $20 million to be financed through the AfDB) and co-financing requirements. The next phase will concern the evaluation of the project and its submission for AfDB agreement. It is expected that this phase will be completed by the end of 2002. Some conditions were indicated such as the need for some participating countries to update their fisheries plan and the need for the riparian States to establish some kind of regional mechanism to facilitate cooperation on issues related to Lake Tanganyika.

28. The representative from the UNDP/GEF emphasized that the present status of Lake Tanganyika provided all concerned with a unique opportunity to act preventively for the management of its resources and the protection of its environment, reminding the meeting that the cost of rehabilitation are generally far in excess of the cost of environmental protection. The transboundary diagnosis analysis and the SAP will constitute the basis of the preparatory work to be undertaken under the PDF-B grant. This work will start early 2002 for a duration of 12 months with emphasis being given to further specifying the actions to be undertaken in connection with the components of the SAP. It was emphasized that the ratification of the Convention for the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika and the creation of related institutional mechanisms were a cornerstone to the implementation of the projects and to the sustainable management of the Lake, even if an interim regional mechanism may be required while the countries proceed with ratification. It was also noted that GEF would favour a long-term project approach (8 to 9 years) for its support, with an indicative financial contribution of $18 to 20 million.

29. The representative from the University of Kuopio, in charge of LTR reported that FINNIDA had been briefed recently on the outcome of the FINNIDA/FAO LTR project and on recent initiatives undertaken by various donors for the elaboration of follow-up projects. It was indicated that an ex-post evaluation of the LTR project will be undertaken in 2002 and that this evaluation may lead to the formulation of some follow- up activities. In linking future activities with the outcome of the LTR project, priorities may be given to supporting the implementation of the management plan in the area of accompanying research, environment and fisheries monitoring, and related training and advanced education.

30. The representative of JICA provided background information on the involvement of JICA in support of fisheries development and management in Tanzania. Information was also provided on the ongoing support being provided by JICA in the preparation of a national fisheries master plan.

31. The Sub-Committee expressed its satisfaction with the work presently underway for the preparation of a comprehensive programme. It urged donors and organizations presently involved such as UNDP/GEF, AfDB, FAO, FINNIDA and EU to collaborate effectively among themselves and with the riparian States to complete the required preparatory work without delay and to seek any additional financing that may be required from other potential donors. The Sub-Committee recognized the role played by FAO in promoting the responsible management of Lake Tanganyika fisheries and will welcome further support that could be provided through FAO.

32. The Sub-Committee endorsed the major points raised in paragraph 39 of document CIFA: DM/LT/01/5 relative, inter alia, to the importance of the fisheries activities, the status of the resource, the priority to be given to the introduction of fisheries management measures, and the role of the Sub-Committee in facilitating the creation of a permanent mechanism for the management of the Lake. Awaiting the ratification of the Convention, the sub-Committee recommended that steps to taken to organise a technical consultation aimed at elaborating an interim mechanism for regional co-operation on the management of Lake Tanganyika.

STRENGTHENING THE FUTURE ROLE OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE

33. This agenda item was introduced by the Secretariat on the basis of documents CIFA:DM/LT/01/6, CIFA:DM/LT/01/Inf.2 and also CIFA:DM/LT/01/Inf.3.

34. The member countries noted that at the eighth session, the options for strengthening the functions of the Sub-Committee and for establishing the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Body (Organization or Commission) were discussed. The options were as follows:

(i) a regional Working Group under the FAO CIFA Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika;

(ii) a Technical Committee with a Permanent Secretariat; and

(iii) an autonomous Inter-governmental organization based on the model of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization.

35. The Sub-Committee noted the new functions, elaborated in document CIFA:DM/LT/01/6, which were adopted by members at the eighth session in May 1999, Lusaka, Zambia.

36. Members of the Sub-Committee agreed to continue functioning under the FAO CIFA Sub-Committee mechanism (as an interim measure) in order to implement immediate management measures for the development and management of Lake Tanganyika fisheries. Nevertheless, the riparian countries of Lake Tanganyika and FAO should continue to explore means for establishing a Regional Fisheries Body for the Lake.

ANY OTHER MATTERS

37. The secretariat presented FISHCODE: a programme that FAO developed in 2001 in order to promote the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in developing countries. A major component of this programme deals with fisheries management and is already supported by donors such as Norway and Japan. Financing is presently sought for the implementation of a sub-component aiming at promoting the sustainable management of African inland fisheries (RIFA). This project was presented based on the document F/Code RIFA. The Sub-Committee welcomed and supported this initiative and the principle of experience sharing on which it is based.

DATE AND PLACE OF THE TENTH SESSION

38. The Sub-Committee appreciated the kind invitation of Burundi to host the tenth session of the CIFA Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika. Zambia offered to be the alternative host of the same Session.

39. The Sub-Committee was informed that the exact date and venue of the meeting would be decided by the Director-General of FAO in consultation with the Chairman of the Sub-Committee and the competent authorities of the host country.

ADOPTION OF THE REPORT

40. The report of the ninth session of the CIFA Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika was adopted on 29 November 2001.

APPENDIXES

A. AGENDA

1. Opening of the Session.

2. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

3. Adoption of the Agenda and arrangements for the Session.

4. Action on recommendations of the Eighth Session of the Sub-Committee.

5. Status of National Implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Research Project.

6. Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Management Issues.

7. Review of Preparatory Work for a Comprehensive Project for Lake Tanganyika Supported by GEF and AfDB.

8. Strengthening the future role of the Sub-Committee and Creation of an Inter-governmental Fisheries Body for Lake Tanganyika.

9. Any other matters.

10. Date and place of the Tenth Session.

11. Adoption of the Report of the Ninth Session of the Sub-Committee.

B. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

Burundi

Roger KANYARU
Directeur
Département des eaux, pêche et pisciculture
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'élevage
B. P. 1850
Bujumbura
Tel: 22.63.78
Fax: 21.28.20
E-mail: [email protected]

Charles KARAKURA
Département des eaux, pêche et pisciculture
Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'élevage
B. P. 1850
Bujumbura
Tel: 22.63.78
Fax: 21.28.20

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mino-Kalibu KALIBU
Directeur
Service national de promotion de développement de la pêche
Ministère des affaires foncières, environnement, pêche et forêts
B.P. 12348
Kinshasa
Tel: (243) 9942143
E-mail: [email protected]

Francois GAYO LEMBA
Directeur des Pêches
Ministère de l'agriculture, pêche et elevage du Congo
Kinshasa
DRC
Tel: (243) 9912450
E-mail: [email protected]

United Republic of Tanzania

Thomas Wanyika MAEMBE
Director of Fisheries
Natural Resources and Tourism
Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 2462, Dar-es-Salaam
Tel: 255-51-12.29.30
Fax: 255-51-11.03.52
E-mail: [email protected]

Mr Sadock KIMARO
Assistant Director
Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 2462
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: (255) 22 222930
Fax: (2550 22 2110352
E-mail: fisheries @twiga.co

Deonatus CHITAMWEBWA
Ag. Centre Director
Natural Resources and Tourism
Tafiri Kigoma
P.O. Box 90
Kigoma
Tel: 255-695-20.68
E-mail: [email protected]

Mwanaidi MLOLWA
Senior Fisheries Officer
Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 2462
Dar-es-Salaam
Tanzania
Tel: (255) 22 222930
Fax: (255) 22 2110352
E-mail: [email protected]

Dominic O Z KWEKA
Senior Fisheries Officer
P.O. Box 93
Kigoma, Tanzania
Tel: (255) 28 2803252
Fax: (255) 28 2803252

Winfried Venant HAULE
Assistant Director of Fisheries
Research Training and Statistics
P.O. Box 2462
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: (255) 22 2122930
Fax: (255) 22 2110352
E-mail: [email protected]

Rafael MAPUNDA
Assistant Director (DP)
Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 2462
Dar-es-Salaam
Tanzania
Tel: (255) 22 222930
Fax: (2550 22 2110352
E-mail: fisheries @twiga.com

Baraka S.M. MNGULWI
Senior Fisheries Officer
Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 2462
Dar-es-Salaam
Tanzania
Tel: (255) 22 222930
Fax: (2550 22 2110352
E-mail: fisheries @twiga.co

Fatma A. S. SOBO
Fisheries Officer
Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 2462
Dar-es-Salaam
Tanzania
Tel: (255) 22 222930
Fax: (255) 22 2110352
E-mail: fisheries @twiga.co

Zambia/Zambie

Charles MAGUSWI
Acting Deputy Director
Fisheries Department
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Fisheries
P.O. Box 350100
Chilanga
Tel: (260)-1-27.81.73
Fax: (260) 1 278418
E-mail: [email protected]

Harris PHIRI
Senior Fisheries Research Officer
Department of Fisheries
Lake Tanganyika Research Unit
P.O. Box 55
Mpulungu
Tel: (260) 1 455154
Fax: (260) 1 455154
E-mail: [email protected]

OBSERVERS/OBSERVATEURS

African Development Bank

Samba TOUNKARA
Expert en pêche supérieur
B. P. V 316
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Tel: (225)20 20 43.93
E-mail: [email protected]

Finland

Hannu P. Olavi MOLSA
Professor
University of Kuopio
P.O. Box 1627
70211 Kuopio, Finland
Tel: (258) 17 163145
Fax: (258) 17 163752
E-mail: [email protected]

Ossi V LINDQVIST
University of Kuopio
P.O. Box 1627
FIN 70211
Kuopio, Finland
Tel: (358) 17 163120
Fax: (358) 17 163178
E-mail: [email protected]

United Nations Office for Project Services

Margaret CHI
Portfolio Manager
405 Lexington Avenue
New York
NY10174, USA
Tel: (1) 212 4571895
Fax: (1) 212 457 4044
E-mail:[email protected]

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Getrude LYATUU
Programme Analyst
UNDP
P.O. Box 9182
Dar-es-Salaam
Tanzania

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Global Enviroment Facility (GEF)

David LAROCHE
Task Manager
UNDP/GEF Lake Tanganyika Project
P.O. Box 36, Orleans VT,
USA 05860-0036
Tel: (1) 802 754 9308
Fax: (1) 802 754 9308
E-mail: [email protected]

Benoit BIHAMIRIZA
Designated RPC
(Regional Project Co-ordinator)
B P 147, Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel: (257) 27.01
Fax: (257) 22.22.28
E-mail: [email protected]

Japan International Cooperation Agency

Sachio YAMAMOTO
Tanzania Fisheries Master Plan Project
JICA, Plot No. 950
Upunga, 1^st Floor, Olympio Str
P.O. Box 2462
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Fax: (255) 22 2151613
E-mail: [email protected]

Xavier MAPUNDA
Technical Assistant
JICA
P.O. Box 2462
Dar-es-Salaam
Tanzania
Tel: (255) 21 51613

FAO Fisheries Department

Headquarters

Dominique GRÉBOVAL
Fishery Planning Officer/
Fonctionnaire chargé de la planification et du développement
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome, Italy/Italie
Tel: (39-06) 57052122
Fax: (39-06) 57056500
E-mail: [email protected]

FAO Subregional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa

George William SSENTONGO
Fisheries Officer
FAO Subregional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa
Third Street/J. Moyo Avenue
P. O. Box 3730, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: (263-4) 791407/253655 - 7
Fax: (263-4) 703496/700724
E-mail: [email protected]

SECRETARIAT/SECRÉTARIAT

Grace CHAGONDA
Programme Assistant/
FAO Subregional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa
Third Street/J. Moyo Avenue
P. O. Box 3730, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: (263-4) 791407/253655-7
E-mail: [email protected]

Christiane LAGRANGE
Secretary
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome, Italy
Tel: (39-06) 570 54957
Fax: (39-06) 570 55188
E-mail: [email protected]

Grace MBESWA
Secretary/Secrétaire
P.O. Box 2462
Dar-es-Salaam
Tanzania
Tel: (255) 22 2122930
Fax: (255) 22 2110352
E-mail: [email protected]

Lucas AMURI
Conference Interpreter
P.O. Box 54708
00200 City square, Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: (254) 2 574638
Fax: (254) 2 562214
E-mail: [email protected]

Kebba JARJU
Conference Interpreter
P.O. Box 67446
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: (254) 0733 606986
Fax: (254) 0733 606986
E-mail:[email protected]

Keguru MUHINDI
Conference Interpreter
P.O. Box 56061
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: (254) 2 43442
Fax: (254) 2 47066
E-mail: [email protected]

Luc ZAMBO ZAMBO
Conference Interpreter
P.O. Box CY 259
Causeway
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: (263) 4 740160
Fax: (263) 4 757845

Luc-Pierre RAEMNDONCK
Conference Translator
3 Pineleigh Close Hatfield Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel: (263) 4 11 408 046
E-mail: [email protected]

C. LIST OF DOCUMENTS

D. OPENING ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE ZAKIA H. MEGHJI (MP), MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM, UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

Mr Chairman,
Representative of the FAO Director-General
FAO Resident Representative in Tanzania,
Members of the CIFA Sub-Committee,
Distinguished Invited Guests and Observers,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Allow me, first of all, to express my sincere thanks to the organizers of this important meeting for inviting me to convey my special thanks to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the initiative of convening this meeting.

We in Tanzania, feel greatly honoured and highly privileged to host this meeting. On behalf of the government and people of Tanzania, and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to take this opportunity to welcome you all, most warmly to Tanzania and to Dar-es-Salaam in particular. Business aside, we urge you to make the most of our hospitality and wish you an enjoyable and pleasant stay in our city, which is also known, as HEAVEN OF PEACE. Please feel at home away from home.

I understand that this morning has brought together all of you because of your common interest and concern for wise and sustainable management and development of the fisheries resources of Lake Tanganyika. I am very happy to see people representing a broad spectrum of interest groups which have a stake in the lake in one way or another. Lake Tanganyika is a shared resource between Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Zambia and accordingly it is a shared responsibility of the countries to ensure it is managed wisely.

Mr Chairman,
We are all aware of the importance of the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Resources to the economy and for food security, particularly to the people in the vulnerable, socio-economic strata of our communities. Fish is the cheapest source of protein for quite a big population in our countries.

I therefore hope that, this forum will take us all closer to our ultimate goal of developing a collaborative institutional mechanism for a coordinated and sustainable management of the Lake. I trust that, the deliberation of this meeting will significantly contribute to the development of a common approach to the management of the Lake, its natural resources and the well being of the people who depend upon it.

Mr Chairman,
I have been informed that, this meeting has been convened under the provision of Article VI-2 of the FAO constitution. At this meeting a new Chairman and Vice Chairman will be elected. It is my sincere hope that the forum will elect able leaders to steer us towards achieving our common goal.

I am informed further that the meeting will deliberate on the following important issues:-

• The status of the national implementation program of the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Project.

• Review of the preparatory work for a comprehensive project for Lake Tanganyika supported by the Global Environmental Facility, (GEF) and African Development Bank (ADB)

• Strengthening the future role of the Sub-Committee and creation of an inter-governmental fisheries body for Lake Tanganyika.

Mr Chairman,
Conferences, seminars and workshops like this one, are often organized to discuss important and very sensitive and relevant matters for the lives of our people. The challenge before us is to sustain the efforts to realistically meet the expectations and aspirations of the communities, our nations and the entire lake region. We therefore need to translate into practice all that is agreed in these meetings.

I wish to strongly implore you to participate actively in the discussion and exchange of experiences during this session so that you may go back to your respective countries having benefited from the meeting.

Mr Chairman,
Let me take this opportunity to extend Tanzania's gratitude and appreciation to FAO and other donor agencies for supporting our efforts to develop the fisheries industry around Lake Tanganyika. I trust that this support will be maintained and sustained as we plan to implement a Fisheries Management Plan for the Lake as a way of achieving sustainable development and economic, social and cultural well being of our peoples.

Finally, I would like to assure you that, the government of Tanzania is committed to ensure that, the recommendations of this meeting are accorded serious consideration, and, based on availability of resources are practically implemented.

With these few words, it is now my honour and privilege to formally declare that the Ninth Session of the FAO CIFA Sub-committee for Lake Tanganyika, here in Dar-es-Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania is officially opened.

I thank you for your attention and wish you every success in your deliberations.

E. SUMMARY OF MAJOR DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Item 4

Action on Recommendation of Eighth Session of the Sub-Committee

For the attention of Governments

1. Implement follow-up actions between Sessions; and

2. Focus attention on the importance of socio-economics data, poverty alleviation and comprehensive management measures.

Item 5

Status of National Implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Research Project

For the Attention of Governments

1. Strengthen fisheries research capacity; and

2. Take the necessary steps to solve problems constraining sustainable fisheries development and management.

Item 6

Lake Tanganyika Management Issues.

For Attention of Governments

1. Use and implement the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) and the complimentary technical guidelines;

2. Take the necessary steps to implement management measures incorporated in framework fisheries management plans (FFMP) as adopted by the Eight Session of the Sub-Committee Lusaka, May 1999;

3. Take the necessary measures to establish and strengthen the Monitoring, control and Surveillance (MCS) measures; and

4. Establish legal institutional mechanisms and arrangements for controlling illegal, unregulated and uncontrolled fishing (IUU).

Item 7

Review of Preparatory Work for a Comprehensive Project for Lake Tanganyika Supported by GEF and AfDB

For the attention of FAO, UNDP/GEF, AfDB, FINNIDA and EU

1. Provide further support for fisheries activities;
2. Collaborate with the riparian states to complete the preparatory work soon; and
3. Seek additional financing form other potential donors.

For the attention of Governments

1. Give priority to the introduction and implementation of management measures; and

2. Collaborate with donors and international organization presently involved for the management of the fisheries of the Lake.

Item 8

Strengthening the future role of the Sub-committee

For the attention of Governments

1. Continue functioning under the FAO CIFA Sub-Committee mechanism (as an interim measure) to implement immediate management measures; and

2. Collaborate with each other to explore means for establishing a Regional Fisheries Body for the Lake.

Item 9

Any other matters: FISHCODE - a programme to promote the Implementation of Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in Developing Countries

For the attention of Governments

1. Support the FISHCODE sub-component aiming at promoting the sustainable management of African Inland Fisheries (RIFA)

BACK COVER

This document is the final report of the ninth session of the Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika, held in Dar-es-Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, from 27 to 30 November 2001. The major topics discussed were the implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Research Project, the Lake Tanganyika framework fisheries management plan, collaboration with other projects on Lake Tanganyika and strengthening of the future role of the Sub-Committee. The summary of the main recommendations and decisions is given in Appendix E.