National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, 2017

The policy observes the decline in fish catches and diversity in the water bodies in the country and notes the far reaching socio-economic consequences of this decline which includes loss of income and livelihoods, unemployment, food and nutritional insecurity, etc. The policy also highlights that there has not been adequate investments needed to boost aquaculture, a gap left in the National Fisheries Policy of 2004. The immediate reasons for the policy are to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture and sustainable use of fisheries resources through sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. To transform the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector to high productivity through improved governance and use of appropriate technologies for sustainable development and policy goal is to increase fisheries and aquaculture production to 1.7 million tonnes annually so as to contribute to food security, nutrition and economic growth. The policy is guided by certain principles which are specific to the country’s experience, including; participatory approach- indicates that the policy will be implemented to serve all categories of stakeholders in the sub-sector; social and equity- participation in fisheries will be all-encompassing, involving women, youth, disabled, etc.; transparency and accountability; user pays principle; precautionary principle- fisheries and aquaculture management shall be premised on scientific evidence as it applies to the Ugandan context and the lack thereof should never be premise for failure to act in face of risk of serious or irreversible harm to fish stocks and or habitants; sustainable development- the policy will ensure sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources while maintaining fish availability for both present and future generations, and without degrading the environment; human rights and inclusiveness- the policy recognizes access to food; and collaboration and partnership. The policy makes strategies for fisheries and aquaculture management and governance, research and technology transfer, human resource and capacity development, production and productivity, trade and marketing, environmental sustainability and climate change, fish biosafety and disease control, etc. The policy identifies certain vital cross-cutting issues, including; gender and development, natural resource protection and conservation, intellectual property rights, media and communication, etc. The policy also provides that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries will assemble stakeholders to assist in the implementation process through institutional arrangements that deal on multi-sectoral issues at all levels of the value chain.