National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy of Uganda.

The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy lays down strategies to transform the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector through improved governance and use of appropriate technologies for sustainable development. The objectives of this policy are: (I) to strengthen coordination organization, management and development of the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector; (II) to guide fisheries and aquaculture resources management and development by the best scientific evidence; (III) to sustainably increase human resource, knowledge, skills and expertise among staff and other actors throughout the entire fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector; (IV) to ensure availability of adequate fish for domestic, regional and international markets; (V) to promote value addition, ensure quality and safety of fish and fishery products on the market as well as improving the value chain system; (VI) to increase the value and volume of internal, regional and international fish trade; (VII) to ensure environmentally friendly and climate resilient fisheries and aquaculture management practices and technologies; (VIII) to prevent and control the introduction of pathogens, disease-causing organisms and contaminants as well as invasive species within the fisheries and aquaculture sector; (IX) to create a conducive investment environment through aqua parks to increase fish production and productivity; and (X) to ensure the availability of effective monitoring systems, adequate and relevant information for planning and decision-making.
The institutional and legal framework will be strengthened to halt irregularities and fishing malpractices, including fishing inbreeding and nursery grounds, use of illegal fishing gears, overfishing and trading of immature fish, and exploitation of poor quality inputs especially fish seed and feed. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Act will be enforced to support co-management structures and to regulate, guide and develop the sector. Substantial support will be provided to ensure that every landing site has, at the minimum, the basic management apparatus to sustainably manage the fisheries resources at the lowest (but most critical) level. The role of private sector will be enhanced in fisheries planning and management and public-private partnerships will be promoted at all stages of the fisheries and aquaculture value chain. The representatives from the private sector and non-state actors, including fisheries association and cooperatives, will be included in the relevant committees. More strict fiscal management will be carried out through co-management structure to ensure self-sustaining sub-sector. The level of income will be increased and employment opportunities will be generated in the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector, especially for youth. The technological, logistical, financial and human resource capacity of the institutions in charge of fisheries and research will be enhanced to regulate the sector on all water bodies. The sustainable use and strengthened management of fisheries resources will be ensured for the benefits of the current and future generations. Traditional systems, like local fishing, will be monitored to prevent irregular exploitation of fisheries resources.
The aquaculture development will be ensured at the national, regional and international levels. A National Aquaculture Board will be established to govern the sub-sector. Incentives will be provided at the earlier stages of the value chain in order to attract new fish farmers as well as extension workers in providing technical service extension, support traceability, pollution control, and research as well as innovation adoption. Public and private investment will be attracted in aquaculture to increase access to quality fish seed, feed, processing and marketing support services. These services and quality fish seed and feed will be provided to fish farmers to increase yields and thus ensure food security. Support will be provided to farmer association and cooperatives to identify and mobilize fish farmers in attempt to ease knowledge extension and services distribution. Women and youth will be encouraged to actively participate in the fish farming. Quality standards will be set for aquaculture establishments to prevent and control pollution.