Draft National Freshwater (Inland) Wild Capture Fisheries Policy

Published on February 21, 2022

The Draft National Freshwater (Inland) Wild Capture Fisheries Policy was approved by Cabinet and aimed at creating an equitable inland fishing governance framework with defined user rights and socio-economic goals to include rural communities in livelihood and economic opportunities linked to freshwater natural resources.

The policy supports the shift to SCP since it is the first policy to guide the sustainable utilisation of freshwater fisheries and supports development of the small-scale fisheries sub-sector and stimulates trade between communities surrounding inland public waterbodies. Its successful implementation will provide an opportunity for socio-economic benefits including job creation, the improvement of rural livelihoods, food security, the development of Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMME) and economic development based on the small-scale and recreational fishing value chains.