Objective

To promote production of fish through fish farming and production of other aquatic organisms (aquaculture) in the country.

Function

• To develop, review and monitor implementation of aquaculture policies, legislation, guidelines and standards.
• To identify potential areas for investment in aquaculture.
• To monitor and coordinate aquaculture production, processing, marketing, infrastructure technology development and aquaculture operations.
• To regulate and control aquaculture inputs.
• To prevent, control and manage aquatic deceases.
• To strengthen collaboration with relevant regional and international institutions responsible for implementation of aquaculture development, protocols and management conventions.
• To promote and facilitate formation and functioning of aquaculture associations.
• To promote development of aquaculture Technologies that aim at mitigating climate change effects.
• To regulate, control and strengthen inspectorate services of cross-border and in-house aquaculture products and inputs for export, import and domestic use.
• To promote and strengthen public – private partnership investment in aquaculture.to coordinate environmental impact assessment activities for aquaculture investment and monitor their implementation.
• To promote conservation of aquatic genetic resources.
• To conduct risk assessment and regulate entry of exotic species and Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs).

This Division is led by a “Director of Aquaculture” and will have two (2) section as follows:

i. Freshwater Aquaculture Section.

This section is led by “Assistant Director of Aquaculture – Freshwater Aquaculture (ADAq-F)” and will perform the following activities:

• Promote freshwater aquaculture development in potential areas;

• Coordinate and provide mechanism for stocking or restocking of open water bodies including on irrigation programmes;

• Promote expansion of viable freshwater aquaculture technologies appropriate for small, medium, and large scale;

• Collaborate and liaise with National, Regional, and International organizations involved in freshwater aquaculture development;

• Initiate and implement FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Aquaculture to provide guideline to address environmental and social issues;

• Coordinate risk assessment, prevent entry of exotic species and Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs);

• Prepare guidelines for aqua-farms, hatchery, and nursery management;

• Develop in-house test methods, liaison with National, Regional and International bodies for the purpose of identifying and adopting appropriate test methods to satisfy customer requirements;

• Develop and implement laboratory policies, standards and procedures;

• Liaise with standards institutions being it is Local, Regional, or International for the purpose of developing fisheries and aquaculture standards; and

• Collaborate with National and International laboratories to validate tests and standards for research and diagnosis.

ii. Mariculture

This section is led by Assistant Director of Aquaculture – Mariculture (ADAq-M)” and will perform the following activities:

• Promote mariculture development in potential areas;

• Promote expansion of viable mariculture technologies appropriate for small, medium, and large scale;

• Collaborate and liaise with National, Regional, and International organizations involved in mariculture development;

• Initiate and implement FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Aquaculture to provide guideline to address environmental and social issues;

• Coordinate risk assessment, prevent entry of Genetic Modified Organisms (GMOs);

• Prepare guidelines for aqua-farms, hatchery, and nursery management;

• Develop in-house test methods, liaison with National, Regional and International bodies for the purpose of identifying and adopting appropriate test methods to satisfy customer requirements;

• Develop and implement laboratory policies, standards and procedures;

• Liaise with standards institutions being it is Local, Regional, or International for the purpose of developing fisheries and aquaculture standards; and

• Collaborate with National and International laboratories to validate tests and standards for research and diagnosis.