Page 15 - Mozambique Report

The policy framework includes the Fisheries Master Plan 2010–2019, the National Plan to Combat
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, the Strategic Plan for the Artisanal Fishing Sub-Sector
and Agenda 2025, the country’s long-term development blueprint, amongst others. The policy
agenda realizes the importance of the fisheries sector to poverty human livelihood, food security and
the country’s economy. Country Profile

Aquaculture and marine culture

The growth of aquaculture and marine The Republic of Mozambique
culture aims to reduce pressure on
the capture fisheries while at the same
time creating jobs, stable income and
improving food security (Blythe et al.,
2014). The climate is good for aquaculture
development and the tropical tropical
environment conducive for wild native
species such as the giant tiger prawn (FAO,
2017b). Equally freshwater species such as
the tilapia though still in its infancy stage
have been cultivated in Mozambique.

Marine culture which is mainly farming in sea foods has also picked up. Sea fish such as shrimp and
prawns are mainly cultivated for external markets (FAO, 2017b; Omar, 2013).

Although the marine and freshwater aquaculture are still in their infancy stage, statistics show that they
have a potential of producing 800,000 to 2 million tons respectively (Mozambique Ministry of Sea,
Inland Waters and Fisheries, 2013; 2014). Some of the initiatives to support this industry include:

• Association of shrimp Producers helping in establishment of the commercial shrimp industry
(Blythe et al., 2014)
• Aquapesca, Indian Ocean Aquaculture, Sol and Mar investing US $100 million in the fishing
sector (Omar, 2013)
• National Institute for Aquac Development of Small scale Fisheries giving support to small scale
sector (Benkenstein, 2013a). This institute also supports the sector in enhancing the standard
of living and fight poverty in fishing communities (Darkey and Turatsinze, 2014)
• Aqua Development Strategy 2008-2017.

South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Program (SWIOFish)

This programme started in 2015 and using a three-pronged approach (economic, social, and
environmental) aims to increase the benefit of the sector to coastal community livelihoods. The
initial countries supported by the project include Comoros, Mozambique and Tanzania and regional
activities implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission. It has now expanded to include Madagascar,
Seychelles and Maldives. In 2017, the SWIOFC countries agreed adopted guidelines for Minimum
Terms and Conditions for Foreign Fisheries Access in the SWIOC region; and also coordinated their
positions in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.

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