SADC Pushes Stronger Fisheries Governance at Zimbabwe Summit

SADC member states and international partners met in Zimbabwe to strengthen fisheries governance and advance the blue economy through the PROFISHBLUE initiative.

Viable News Team May 26, 2026 3 minutes read

The Southern African Development Community has taken another major step toward strengthening the region’s blue economy and fisheries sector following the successful hosting of the 8th Project Technical Committee meeting for the PROFISHBLUE initiative in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Held from 21 to 22 May 2026, the meeting brought together representatives from six SADC member states Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe alongside international development and conservation partners.

The gathering focused on the PROFISHBLUE Project, a regional programme aimed at improving fisheries governance, strengthening trade corridors, and promoting sustainable economic growth through the blue economy.

International organisations participating in the discussions included the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Wide Fund for Nature, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, WorldFish, and the African Organization for Standardization.

Opening the meeting, South African representative Khumo Morake-Makhaleleme highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, commonly referred to as IUU fishing. Delegates agreed that stronger governance systems and shared regional strategies are essential to protecting fisheries resources and supporting livelihoods across Southern Africa.

Zimbabwe’s Director for Livestock and Fisheries Production, Milton T. Makumbe, also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management and noted the progress achieved since the project was launched in 2022.

Over the past four years, the PROFISHBLUE initiative has introduced several key developments across participating countries. These include the strengthening of institutional capacity, the expansion of cross-border trade facilitation measures, and the rollout of infrastructure such as One Stop Border Posts and Vessel Monitoring Systems designed to improve oversight and regional coordination.

Throughout the two-day meeting, delegates reviewed implementation progress, assessed technical outputs, and discussed ongoing challenges affecting the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Participants also explored strategies to shape the future regional fisheries agenda, with a focus on sustainability, infrastructure development, and long-term economic resilience.

Ndapanda Kanime, Senior Programme Officer for Natural Resources and Wildlife at the SADC Secretariat, stressed the importance of collaboration among member states to fully unlock the economic potential of the blue economy.

The meeting also highlighted efforts to improve hygiene standards, strengthen transport and trade infrastructure, and support sustainable fisheries value chains throughout the region. Delegates emphasised that the long-term success of the project would depend on ensuring that benefits continue beyond the current programme cycle.

As the meeting concluded, stakeholders expressed optimism about the future of fisheries governance and blue economy cooperation in Southern Africa. The recommendations and strategies discussed are expected to influence future policy development, investment priorities, and regional resource mobilisation efforts.

The PROFISHBLUE initiative remains one of SADC’s flagship programmes aimed at promoting sustainable resource management, economic diversification, and regional integration within the fisheries sector.