In the heart of Africa lies a tapestry of waterways. Across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is found the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA). It is a vast network of rivers, floodplains, and ecosystems that provides vital resources for millions of people.
Generations of families living in this area have thrived on water and fish for their sustenance and economic well-being.
A need for conservation
Studies in Namibia reveal that inland fisheries contribute a remarkable N$ 109 million annually. It is undeniably a vital economic engine.
However, this invaluable resource is hanging by a thread. Unsustainable fishing practices and the looming impact of climate change have caused a drastic decline in fish stocks. Poorly managed fishing access, along with weak regulatory frameworks, has led to overfishing. The decline threatened the livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities – women, children, and the rural poor.
A vision through collaboration
Alarmed by the dwindling fish stocks in KAZA, the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) knew it was time to act. Partnering with the Ecofish Programme, it embarked on a mission to develop a strategy to ensure the future of the fish industry and the communities that depend on them.
They collaborated to improve fisheries management in KAZA by focusing on adapting to the ecosystem to improve the fish stocks and reinforce the communities. The main goal was to boost fish numbers, especially important commercial species, while making sure these resources last for the long haul.
Strategies for transformation
The project got everyone in the community involved and working together. They crafted clear guidelines for collective decision-making that caters to everyone’s needs—whether it was for local communities, governments or the private sector.
It created several community-run reserves, where locals were given the responsibility to manage these areas, following certain rules. As a result, the community was more involved in looking after their fisheries and protecting fish stocks.
The initiative also wanted to improve decision-making by increasing research and monitoring. This was done by teaching local fishermen how to gather data, which is crucial for managing fisheries in the KAZA region.
Success of implementation
To this day, the initiative bears lots of fruitful achievements! Working hand-in-hand, the governments of Namibia, Zambia and Botswana have decided to adapt their regulations and allow more people from the community to participate in inland fisheries management. This included changing fishing rules, like setting closed seasons where no fishing is allowed, and banning harmful nets in some countries.
The project has been a game-changer, creating special protected zones managed by the local communities. They have transformed about 70 km of the Okavango, 60 km of the Liyanti, 10 km of the Kwando, and 5 km of the Zambezi into thriving fish reserves. All these have resulted in an improvement of fish stocks! For instance, the African Pike, locally known as Mulumesi, can even be seen again in the waters of Kwando river. A fantastic effort to keep these waters teeming with life.
By empowering communities and fostering collaboration, the project has ignited a spark that promises a brighter future for all stakeholders involved. Initiating and institutionalising transboundary collaboration between these countries has led to a new era of better resource management.
