Fisheries

 GEF funds will be used to complement the GOB Fisheries Conflict Resolution Programme by funding participatory planning and management fora aimed at developing resource user rights and agreed management plans over recognized fishing grounds in two pilot sites. Plans will include the identification of rotational fishing grounds set-asides, to protect fish recruitment areas, fish-biodiversity monitoring indices and clear adaptive management procedures. Working collaboratively with fisher communities, the Project will establish desired target levels for fish abundance and biodiversity (codified in indices) and construct a monitoring system that will gauge progress towards the set levels. The Project will further build capacity within the user groups at the pilot sites to manage fish resources based on informed target-setting, stock monitoring and adaptive management. It will be designed to address issues of equity in benefit distribution. The Project will also provide training in monitoring and adaptive management to selected members of the Okavango Fishermens Association.

Biodiversity safeguards are incorporated into national aquaculture programs: The Project will make recommendations for change and addition to the national EIA regulations to ensure that regulatory instruments are put in place to guide aquaculture developments, e.g. fish species permitted for farming, aquatic plants, fish food and disease control measures. Under this output, the GEF proposed Project will ensure that EIA requirements adequately cover aquaculture developments, and train Fishery staff in the assessment of aquaculture proposals to ensure that design and operation will not pose a risk to Delta ecosystems.