World Fisheries Day 2025 - Strengthening Africa’s Blue Food Systems for a Resilient Future By AU-IBAR Africa joins the global community today in celebrating World Fisheries Day, a moment to reflect on the indispensable role that fisheries and aquaculture

Africa joins the global community today in celebrating World Fisheries Day, a moment to reflect on the indispensable role that fisheries and aquaculture play in advancing the continent’s food security, livelihoods, public health, and sustainable development. For AU-IBAR, this day reinforces our continental aspiration to build resilient, well-governed, and inclusive aquatic food systems that can withstand climate shocks, geopolitical shifts, and socio-economic transformations. As the continent continues to reimagine its food systems, the fisheries and aquaculture sectors remain central to achieving the goals of the Policy Framework and reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, Kampala CAADP Strategy, and Agenda 2063.

Over the past decade, Africa has achieved significant milestones. Governance systems have improved through stronger policies, better regulatory alignment, and a strengthened institutional framework for effective monitoring, control, and surveillance systems to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and eliminate it.  Increased for industry-led, climate-smart aquaculture. These interventions have been significant, with the continent frequently being cited as having one of the fastest-growing aquaculture sectors.  Aquaculture, thus rapidly emerging as one of Africa’s fastest-expanding food production systems, provides both employment and a pathway to reducing pressure on capture marine and inland fisheries. Regional cooperation continues to deepen, with AU-IBAR, RECs, and specialised fisheries institutions working closely to harmonise management approaches. Food safety and traceability initiatives are beginning to take root as regulators and consumers become more aware of the need for safer, transparent, and trustworthy aquatic food systems. Scientific collaboration has also expanded, with the creation of African Union-endorsed centres of excellence for research and training in disciplines related to fisheries and aquaculture, aquaculture biodiversity conservation, and transboundary, integrated ecosystem management through evidence-based decision-making on policies and management measures in AU member states.

Despite these successes, challenges remain significant. Climate change poses the most immediate threat, disrupting inland water systems, degrading marine ecosystems, intensifying droughts, and affecting water temperatures — all of which directly undermine fish availability and the stability of small-scale fisheries. Cold-chain gaps, insufficient processing capacity, limited access to quality feed and seed, and fragmented data and traceability systems continue to weaken the sector’s competitiveness. Pollution from agricultural and industrial activities, as well as urban waste runoff, threatens the safety of aquatic products. The inadequate recognition of aquatic animal sentience is a hindrance to sufficiently acceptable aquatic animal practices.  Meanwhile, IUU fishing deprives African nations of billions of dollars in revenue each year, undermining national sovereignty, food security and wealth. These pressures are exacerbated by global market volatility, geopolitical tensions, and sociopolitical unrest, which affect supply chains, prices, and labour mobility.

Addressing these challenges requires the collective action of all stakeholders along the value chain. Fishers and small-scale operators remain the guardians of aquatic ecosystems and are central to building climate-resilient local food systems. Processors and traders — particularly women, who dominate post-harvest activities, continue to drive value addition and ensure that fish reaches consumers across vast geographies. Aquaculture farmers are playing an increasingly important role in supplementing wild catches and providing a buffer against climate-related stock fluctuations. Governments and Regional Economic Communities remain pivotal in policy harmonization, surveillance, and creating conducive investment environments. Private sector actors are driving innovations in feed production, cold-chain development, and digital traceability, while researchers and academia generate the scientific evidence needed for adaptive management. Development partners and civil society continue to support the technical, financial, and governance dimensions that underpin sustainable fisheries systems.

Across Africa, there is a rising consciousness about the importance of food safety, traceability, and market transparency. Consumers are increasingly demanding safer, hygienic, and verifiable aquatic foods. Regulators are strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary systems, while entrepreneurs and youth innovators are developing digital tools that enhance visibility along the value chain. Collectively, these shifts reflect a growing continental commitment to food sovereignty and public health.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a transformative opportunity to accelerate progress. By reducing trade barriers, harmonizing standards, and promoting intra-African movement of fish and fish products, AfCFTA can significantly expand access to affordable, nutritious aquatic foods. It can stimulate regional aquaculture and processing hubs, strengthen competitiveness, and enhance Africa’s bargaining position in global fisheries' governance. Most importantly, AfCFTA provides a platform through which Africa can address persistent malnutrition by improving the distribution of nutrient-rich aquatic foods across borders.

On this World Fisheries Day, AU-IBAR calls for united, decisive, and forward-looking action to strengthen resilience across the aquatic food systems. By investing in climate-smart systems, capacity building, along value chains, deepening scientific collaboration, enhancing digital traceability, and leveraging AfCFTA to unlock trade and nutrition opportunities, Africa can build fisheries and aquaculture systems that support thriving communities, competitive economies, and healthy ecosystems. Africa’s waters are rich, its people are innovative, and the continent’s potential is vast. What is needed now is sustained commitment and bold leadership to ensure that Africa’s Blue Economy becomes a pillar of prosperity and resilience for generations to come. AU-IBAR stands ready and willing, having the requisite technical capacity,  to provide the leadership, as African Union specialized technical office, for animal resources (including livestock, wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture),