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Agriculture and Livestock Minister Given Lubinda has called for significant investment in fisheries and fish management among African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.
Speaking at the Fourth Meeting of the ACP Ministers in charge of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Brussels, Netherlands on Thursday, Mr. Lubinda observed that the fisheries subsector has received the least attention over the years.
He says Zambia however recognizes the sector as crucial for its national development and has great potential for job creation.
Mr. Lubinda states that in order to boost growth of the fisheries sector, ACP member states should take bold investment steps, particularly in fish management and fisheries marketing value chain.
He has since called for effective partnership and networks between ACP member states and regional fisheries organizations, financial and development partners such as the European Union (EU), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UNIDO among others.
Mr. Lubinda has also called for combined efforts in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The ACP meeting noted that ACP countries share common interests with respect to fisheries and aquaculture, hence the need for intra-ACP coordinated and shared approaches to the fisheries and aquaculture development as well as marketing access.
The meeting further acknowledged the importance of the fisheries sector to enhance food security.
This is contained in a statement made available to Qfm News by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Zambian mission in to Belgium Lambwe Kachali.