Fish quality standards
Cleaning Nile perch in factory | |
In all consumer markets it is important that fish is handled, processed and transported in a way that ensures safety for the final consumer. Basic standards are required for all fish and fishery products and the Competent Authorities in the Partner States are increasing and improving the facilities for handling fish around the lake to ensure that everyone’s right to safe food is met.
The European Union has been at the forefront in developing food safety standards and, as such, it has become one of the world-wide measures against which to gauge the production standards of a fish or fishery product regardless of the ultimate export market. The continued entry of Nile perch fillets to the EU market is a statement of the high standards maintained in the processing industry.
In 2006, the three Partner States are undergoing an Inspection by the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission and it is expected that the results of the assessment will be positive and enable the continued development of the lucrative overseas market for the Nile perch.
Traceability
Smoked Nile tilapia | |
The need for traceability in fish and fishery products is not new. EU regulations require traceability systems and processes to be in place and the Partner States have responded with a system of Fish Movement Permits. FMPs are required for each stage of movement of the fish and in addition to providing information on where the fish were first landed, they also raise income and generate information on fish catch and movement, vital for the management of the fishery.
Eco-labelling
Eco-labelling provides a way of harnessing market power and brings in incentives to increase sustainable practices in a lake fishery. Discussions are underway to explore possibilities for eco-labelling for Nile perch, involving the certification of fisheries harvested by sustainable means and the use of a label to recognise the fact that the fish or fish product has come from a certified fishery.
Sun drying dagaa on racks | |
The LVFO is working with partners in the international fish business to examine the opportunities for a certification scheme for the lake fisheries and the development of an appropriate system of product labelling to emphasise the efforts to ensure sustainability of the fisheries. The LVFO have already registered a logo with the …. in Paris although at present there are no quality standards attached to that label and the use of the label is still voluntary.
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Fisheries Management Plan 
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