Jun 23, 2017 | News

Africa gives impetus to aquaculture development

Johannesburg, June 22, 2017 - Dr Mamady Camara, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea in South Africa, held talks with Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of the NEPAD Agency on giving impetus to aquaculture development in Africa.

“President Alpha Condé agreed to represent the NEPAD Agency as the Champion for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa,” Dr Mayaki said, adding that “It is through this important role that he is helping to raise the profile of fisheries and aquaculture issues on the continent.”

The economic, social and cultural development of aquaculture is fundamental to Africa. This is because fish is a good alternative to other animal proteins. Aquaculture also has numerous other benefits. For instance, aquaculture development presents an opportunity to contribute to food security, job creation and the fight against poverty. Given this scenario, the Republic of Guinea has since undertaken several reforms in fisheries, including the development of a national Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (2016-2020), which is aligned to the Pan-African Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The discussion between Dr Camara and the NEPAD Agency CEO also covered the upcoming 2017 World Aquaculture Conference which will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 26 – 30 June.  The significance of the forum was noted, as it provides a platform for the development of pragmatic approaches towards governance challenges and the harmonisation of standards in Africa’s aquaculture development.  This comes at a time when the integration of this sector is being acknowledged as crucial to the national economies of Africa.

The message from President Condé (NEPAD Agency’s Champion for Fisheries and Aquaculture and also Chairperson of the African Union), is that in order to accelerate the development of aquaculture on a continent level, the following should be emphasised:

  1. Strengthening basic knowledge, data collection, analysis and dissemination to accelerate growth and transformation of the sector;
  2. Taking advantage of opportunities for market development and trade in fish;
  3. Promoting an enabling environment for investment in small and medium-sized aquaculture enterprises;
  4. Sensitising public authorities on the contribution of fish and aquaculture to food products and nutrition security;
  5. Taking into account important issues such as the promotion of skills for greater involvement of women and youth in aquaculture; and
  6. Promoting the alignment of national and regional policies with Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa.

 

Source: NEPAD Agency