National Fisheries Strategy.

The Strategy is made to implement and supplement in particular the National Fisheries Policy, which is the main national sectoral policy for fisheries and aquaculture. The Strategy represents the compilation of eight other sub-strategies which have been formulated to give specific direction to their specific areas - the Aquaculture Sub-strategy; the Aquaculture Extension Sub-strategy; the Inland Capture Fisheries Sub-strategy; the Marine Sector Sub-strategy; the Shrimp Sub-strategy; the Monitoring and Evaluation Sub-strategy; the Quality Control Sub-strategy; and the Human Resource Development Sub-strategy. The development of the sub strategies followed the key areas of the National Fisheries Policy-1998, but has expanded on the importance of collaboration with other stakeholders and the development of a systematic planning, monitoring and evaluation strategy, human resource development strategy and extension strategy.
The Strategy reflects a shift in the way the sector is managed. The sector was controlled by the Government through,principally, the Department of Fisheries. The Strategy advocates fostering participation with local communities, the private sector and NGOs; the provision of advice; and establishing a regulatory framework in which the sector can function. It emphasizes collaboration, linkages and partnerships and also reflects current government concerns for poverty alleviation through more targeted activities and gender equity. Another key-element is protection of environment and the biodiversity of the fisheries of through adopting appropriate ecosystem management regimes, and in particular for wetland ecosystems. Measures are proposed for each Sub-strategy element. The Quality Control Sub-strategy involves HACCP and other regulations including traceability and social accountability. The Monitoring & Evaluation Sub-strategy foresees a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system for achieving the objectives of the NFP. environmental management shall ensure compliance with the National Biodiversity Policy.