The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) contracted Aquatic Ecosystem Services (AES) to undertake a rapid specialist fisheries assessment in 2020 of 10 dams in Eastern Province, Zambia. The initial survey involved a survey of fish fauna within each dam as well as a rapid assessment of the fishery through focus group meetings, Catch Assessment and Livelihood surveys. AES were contracted to continue this work in 2022/2023 and are conducting biannual Fisheries Dependent (FDS) and Fisheries Independent Surveys (FIS) of these dams as part of the Fish for Food Program (F4F). AES has designed and set up a scientifically based FIS that is repeatable long-term. The FDS comprises a tablet-based Catch Assessment Survey (CAS) for which AES provided training for GIZ team members and the Zambian Department of Fisheries to assist them in implementation. Throughout the project, AES has worked closely with the local implementing agents and local communities to assist with knowledge and skills transfer.

The study aims to evaluate the species composition, size structure and relative abundance of fish populations in each dam and understand the harvest levels and fishery dynamics. This will provide information to inform management and the development of sustainable fisheries that increase local access to fresh fish protein and micronutrients.