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Broad developmental objectives
The project aims at obtaining an understanding of the origins and maintenance of indigenous
fish biodiversity in Southern Africa through scientific research. The overall objective of the
project is that, by 2015, information on fish biodiversity is readily available and used for
decision making in at least five countries within the Southern African NEPAD Region.
Purpose
The purpose of the project is to:
- Generate biological and ecological information on selected fishes and water bodies for
conservation and maintenance of fish biodiversity
- Build up regional capacity in fisheries research through a network of researchers involved
in refining and implementing the project
- Raise public awareness for conservation of fish biodiversity
Beneficiaries
The primary beneficiary of the programme will be poor rural masses that rely on fish for their
livelihood. The southern African community in general will benefit in that supply of fish will
be sustained or increased by implementing sound stock management strategies. Policy
makers in participating countries, as well as other Southern African countries (from
generalizations of case studies), will benefit from the project, as these will receive updated
and in-depth documentation for fish biodiversity policy review. In addition Southern African
governments will have a cohort of trained scientists that can be tapped for research and
advice.
Results
By the end of the project period it is envisaged that the project will have achieved the
following results or outcomes:
- Increased access to and generation of biodiversity, biological and ecological information
on riverine fisheries and aquaculture production technologies.
- Increased human capacity in fish biology and biodiversity research of riverine species.
- Increased public awareness of the importance of conserving fish biodiversity through
dissemination of research results and outreach.
- Fish biodiversity project successfully, efficiently and sustainably managed within the
SANBio framework.
Sustainability
Within the framework of implementation of the Business plan of SANBio, broad
participation will be ensured as the fish biodiversity project comprises five countries the
region represented by the following institutions:
- University of Malawi (Bunda College and Chancellor College).
- University of Zambia and Copperbelt University.
- South African Institute for African Biodiversity
- University of Namibia
- Angola Fisheries Research Department
Being implemented through the University of Malawi ensures that the project is directly
linked to other initiatives within the region. For example, Bunda College is offering a
regional PhD programme on Aquaculture and Fisheries Science under the RUFORUM
(Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture) framework which is a
consortium of 26 Universities in East and Southern Africa. Bunda College also coordinates
the Southern African chapter of SARNISSA (Sustainable Aquaculture Research Networks for
Sub Saharan Africa). It will be upon the coordinator to ensure that such programmes
contribute to the vision of the node.
Further, the SANBio Fish Node office has been in operation for more than two year with
support only from the Malawi Government through the National Research Council of Malawi
(NRC). In total, MK3.5 million (U$ 25000) was provided to keep the office running. Efforts
will be made to engage other regional countries to pledge funding for activities beyond the
project timeframe. The project will provide support to staffing the SANBio fish node during
its initial phase (the 2009-2011 project period). It is envisaged that by the end of this phase
the Node will have secured sufficient funding to be self sustaining. To do this the project has
made provision for the marketing and promotion of the SANBio Fish node through a
Newsletter, Website and other means to increase its visibility and ability to leverage
additional funding to support its activities. It is also planned that a Network FISHNET SA
(Fisheries and Aquaculture Network for Southern Africa) which was formed in 2008 will be
formalised under the Node.
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