According to the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Zambia has a huge fish supply deficit compounded by declining fish due to overfishing and variable weather patterns, among others, reports ZambiaDailyMail.
The project, which will create over 300 permanent jobs to the local community, is expected to commence next year.
When fully operational, KHL will have the capacity to produce 12,000 tonnes of fish annually to double the current national aquaculture production which is less than 7,000 tonnes. This is according to the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report obtained from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).
“This project when fully operational will contribute to increased fish production and availability of fish protein to many more Zambians than are currently consuming fish,” reads the EIA.
Works on the project will include establishing 70 breeding ponds to produce fingerlings, construction of a water treatment plant to handle effluent from breeding ponds, a feed production plant and a fish processing factory.
“Other operations will consist of six production cage sites and one brood stock holding cages site,” reads the EIA.
Additional project components include building of offices, workshop, staff canteen, guest accommodation, toilets and harbour.
The other is the improvement of the existing road network in the area.
The project will exert more positive impacts than negative ones, and the most negative impacts will easily be mitigated in accordance with ZEMA regulations.
“The project will financially empower small-scale growers through the out-grower schemes and complement Government’s service delivery through Kariba Harvest Zambia Limited ’s corporate social responsibility programmes,”indicates the report.
