The Indian Ocean Commission and FAO support small scale fisheries in Eastern-Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region through the IOC-SmartFish Programme funded by the European Union
This Programme aims at contributing to an increased level of social, economic and environmental development and deeper regional integration in the ESA-IO through improved capacities for the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources. The programme is financed by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund and is implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in collaboration with the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East Africa Community (EAC) and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Other regional institutions involved include the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and regional fisheries management organizations, such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), and the Lake Tanganyika Fisheries Organization (LTFO). The ultimate beneficiaries of the Programme will be the fishermen, coastal communities and wider populations of the ACP States of the ESA-IO region covered by the 10th EDF Regional Indicative Program. It is furthermore expected that diverse stakeholder groups will draw specific direct and indirect benefits from the SmartFish programme.
Please visit the project website: http://www.fao.org/fishery/smartfish/en
