Report on the Meeting on enhancing institutional collaboration in Fisheries and Aquaculture

The meeting on institutional linkages brought together representatives of Regional Fisheries Bodies (RBCs), Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Water Basin Authorities to chart a roadmap for building and strengthening institutional collaboration in African fisheries and aquaculture sector. Specifically, the meeting focussed majorly on enhancing collaboration i. amongst the RFBs, ii. the RFBs and the Regional Fisheries Management organizations (RFMOs), Water Basin Management Authorities, non-fish sectors such as mining, forestry etc and iii. the RFBs and the RECs. The main outcome of the meeting was the recommendations by the participants for the African Union to establish a forum or platform for RFBs with the day to day coordination at the CAMFA Secretariat. The AU was also charged with the responsibility to undertake an assessment of the institutional set-up and performance of the RFBs as well as facilitate their formal linkages with the Regional Economic Communities. The Executive Committee of the African Fisheries Reform Mechanism was recommended as discussion forum for all stakeholders for enhanced institutional coordination and collaboration.