It is estimated that world fish consumption per capita will increase on all continents by 2030 with the exception of Africa, due to population growth outpacing supply on this continent. This raises food security issues owing to the high prevalence of undernourishment in the region and the importance of fish in total animal protein intake in many African countries. Regardless of the strong potential and significant expansion of the aquaculture industry in Africa, which is mostly based on freshwater aquaculture, it accounts for only ca. 3% of the global aquaculture production. Despite being the second largest continent on Earth, Africa currently has the lowest marine aquaculture production in the world. AfriMAQUA is a research network funded by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) aiming to gather researchers in the field of marine aquaculture from 18 research institutions from Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia), Eastern Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Mauritius), Western Africa (Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire) and France to facilitate scientific cooperation for the sustainable development of marine aquaculture in the continent. The network provides the opportunity to exchange knowledge, to join research efforts and to reinforce the capacities of the consortium members around four main themes: 1) the control of life cycles of species of aquaculture interest, 2) the establishment of quality and sustainable feeds for the species produced, 3) the development of eco-friendly farming systems and the improvement of the welfare and health of organisms and farming systems.
The Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) in Partnership with Landell Mills are implementing Component 1 of the TRUEFISH Project which relates to ‘Improving access to commercial networks for aquaculture-related businesses in the three East African Partner States sharing Lake Victoria, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The objectives of the component are to establish and host a regular East African Aquaculture Exhibition and Conference (EAAEC), bringing all key industry players together; facilitate increased flow of investment into the sector through connecting regional aquaculture companies to individual and institutional investors and funding sources as well as supporting regional aquaculture associations to develop and execute effective Business to Business (B2B) linkage and study tour programs. TRUE FISH project is closely working with aquaculture associations and organizations in East African region. In Tanzania, in particular, TRUE FISH is collaborating with Aquaculture Associations of Tanzania (AAT) and Aquatic BioSolutions of Tanzania (ABiST).
The overall objective of TRUEFISH project is to contribute to develop competitive, gender equitable and sustainable commercial aquaculture in the Lake Victoria basin.
WorldFish through funding from the Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is implementing the Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors in the SADC Region (PROFISHBLUE). Specifically, WorldFish has been appointed to assist the SADC Secretariat with genetic improvement, support for aquaculture value chains, and promotion of fish in food systems in SADC. In relation to Aquaculture Value Chains and Promotion of Fish in Food Systems in SADC, WorldFish is expected to focus on policy harmonization and trade facilitation for intra-regional trade. This involves promoting national and regional fishery and aquaculture products that are tradable and nutritious, with a particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), establishing connections with ecotourism, and facilitating market access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The direct beneficiaries of this technical support operation are SADC regional/sub-regional and national public entities and institutions in their overall administration, as well as value chain actors such as fishers, fish farmers, processors, retailers, wholesalers, transporters, and consumers.
The overall PROFISHBLUE objective is to promote sustainable management and use of fisheries resources within the blue growth context in the SADC region. This initiative aims to improve food security, reduce poverty levels through employment opportunities, facilitate intra-regional trade, and enhance the adaptive capacity of fish value chains communities against climate change and other external shocks.