The government has unveiled plans to boost national fish production from 20,000 to 60,000 metric tons, as part of a drive to expand the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Speaking in an interview, Prof. Obert Jiri, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, said the recently enacted Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill provides a strong legal and institutional framework to support growth.
“The bill will streamline production, processing, and marketing, provide clear guidelines for investors, and standardize quality to make Zimbabwean fish more competitive,” Prof. Jiri said. He noted that despite the country having 10,700 water bodies, production currently falls short, hitting only about 20,000 metric tons a year.
The new law aims to enhance production, including the establishment of fingerling farms in each province to supply local water bodies, and the proper management of fishponds. It also tightens measures against illegal fishing and aligns the sector with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), positioning fisheries as a key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction.
Prof. Jiri emphasized the need for sustainable, countrywide fish farming. “We want fish introduced into camps and ponds nationwide, not just in one area. Many dams, such as Marovanyati, hold massive volumes of water but remain underutilized,” he said.
With the bill now in effect, Zimbabwe hopes to triple fish output and unlock the full potential of its aquatic resources.
