Fisheries Policy for South Sudan 2012 - 2016.

The overall objective of the present Policy for fisheries in South Sudan is the best possible long term economic benefit to the South Sudan through effective management and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources and aquaculture, whilst ensuring healthy ecosystems and the protection of species and habitat. One of the guiding principles is that all programmes and activities undertaken by the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (DOF) will be gender sensitive and gender responsive and the rights of women and children as laid down in the Constitution.
There are six areas in this Fisheries Policy, three of which tend towards administrative and supportive functions and provide a solid and stable framework for the implementation of the strategies for the other three, which are technical policy areas: 1) Governance: Its underlying rationale is that good governance is the key to the future prosperity of the sector. It is underlined that the institutions involved with fisheries are undeveloped at all levels of government and that the fisheries sector does not get the priority it deserves in allocation of funds and resources, compared to its importance in the economy and potential for growth. The goal of this Area is the effective and efficient delivery of policy objectives in an accountable and transparent manner for the benefit of all stakeholders in the fisheries sector. The specific objectives are: 1) To produce a modern and robust legal framework for fisheries and aquaculture in South Sudan; 2) To improve the climate for internal and Foreign Direct Investment to fisheries and aquaculture; 3) To improve cooperation between Government Departments and Institutions on cross-cutting issues; 4) To enhance communications, data flow and coordination within Directorates and the 10 states; 5) To maintain a healthy environment and ecosystems; 6) To ensure sustained and profitable use of shared resources; 7) To raise the profile of fisheries as a sector so as to obtain extra resources for the DOF and for States fisheries departments; 8) To combat HIV and AIDS in the workplace and in the industry; 9) To act on Gender Issues and the Rights of the Child; 10) To respond appropriately to climate change and natural disasters; 11) To improve occupational safety for fisher-folk.
2) Human Resources: The idea is that development of human resources in fisheries is central to the development of the whole fisheries sector. Without a sufficiently skilled cadre of workers the industry cannot flourish. A well trained and competent workforce with the appropriate knowledge and skills for development of fisheries and aquaculture is necessary. Its objectives are: 1). To ensure that DOF and States Fisheries Departments are fully staffed and funded; 2) To strengthen extension services in the 10 states; 3) To develop the skills and qualifications of the staff in DOF, in the 10 States and the private sector.
3) Research: There are serious gaps in the knowledge of the fisheries resources of South Sudan, including catches, species involved, fish biology and potential for resource utilisation; this lack of data is a serious constraint to proper fisheries management. Its goal is research, collection, analysis and dissemination of good quality and up to date knowledge on Fisheries and Aquaculture in South Sudan. Its objectives are: 1) To improve quality and relevance of research in fisheries and aquaculture; 2) To collect, collate and disseminate data on all aspects of fisheries and aquaculture throughout the country; 3) To preserve indigenous knowledge, on fisheries; 4) To monitor environmental changes affecting fisheries including climate change; 5) To improve information distribution, communication and technology systems.
4) Capture Fisheries: One of the main problems is that statistics on capture fisheries are unreliable or do not exist. Its goal is a sustainable fisheries production and development contributing to Economic Growth, Poverty Alleviation and Food Security. Its objectives are: 1) To manage the fisheries resources of the South Sudan so as to maximise production and avoid overfishing; 2) To control overexploitation of fish stocks and eradicate IUU fishing; 3) To increase production from under-exploited stocks and areas; 4) To develop a sport fishing industry; 5) To develop the aquarium trade.
5) Aquaculture: One of the problems is that there is very little aquaculture being undertaken in South Sudan at the moment, though there is a very great potential in many areas. Its goal is a sustainable fisheries production and development contributing to Economic Growth, Poverty Alleviation and Food Security. Its objectives are: 1) To attract private Investment to Aquaculture by creating an enabling environment; 2) To attract funding for development of integrated Agriculture/Aquaculture systems in rural areas; 3) To regulate the production of feed for aquaculture; 4) To control diseases in aquaculture and improve reporting; 5)To control species introductions and transfers in Aquaculture; 6) To enhance aquaculture in areas where irrigation schemes and dams are created; 7) To address environmental concerns regarding Aquaculture.
6) Fish Quality Control and Post Harvest: It is underlined that there are no local facilities in most areas for handling fresh fish, nor storage facilities. Where they do exist they do not meet even basic hygiene requirements. Iceboxes are not generally available, particularly in rich fishing grounds such as the Sudd and other areas where there is potential for growth. Another serious constraint is the transport to get fish to market, due to poor roads and unsuitable vehicles and that there are no local standards or codes of practice for the quality of fish post harvest, neither for exports. International standards (HACCP, GMP) are not yet adopted nor enforced. The Goal for this Area is an effective fish quality control and assurance system that meets international standards and raises the value of the products of fisheries and aquaculture. Its objectives are: 1) To reduce post harvest losses; 2) To ensure safety of fisheries products; 3) To increase in per capita fish consumption from current low levels; 4) To develop appreciation of the role of capture fisheries and aquaculture in food security; 5) To increase the value of fisheries and aquatic products.
The text consists of 9 Chapters as follows: Summary Table (1); Introduction (2); Overview of fisheries and aquaculture in South Sudan (3); Mandate and Policy Directions (4); The 2012-2017 Fisheries Policy. Objectives and Strategies (5); Implementation of Policy (6); Implementation Plan Matrix (7); Monitoring and Evaluation (8); Review process (9).