© 2016 AU-IBAR. Training Workshop on Capacity Building for fisheries and Fisheries Management Course. 5th - 9th September, 2016, at Chelsea Hotel Abuja.5^th - 9^th September 2016. Chelsea Hotel, Abuja - Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Introduction

1. A training workshop on "capacity building for fisheries statistical data collection analysis and utilization of scientific data for informed decision-making in fisheries and aquaculture" was jointly organized by the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the NEPAD Agency in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with support from the European Union from 05-09 September 2016 in Abuja, Nigeria.
2. The overall objective of this exercise was to equip African fisheries experts and officials with enhanced skills and knowledge with respect to their ability to collect, analyse and interpret fisheries data so as to better inform fisheries management decisions. The specific objectives were to:
   
   • Understand what kinds of data that can be collected, where and how data can be collected and stored, and also the common problems associated with data collection and storage.
   • Create awareness of the importance or relevance of various types (bio-statistical, economic, social, environmental etc.) of data for sound management of fisheries resources.
   • Strengthen the capacity for fisheries statistical data collection, analysis and utilization of scientific data.
   • Build skills on the use of data to support evidence-based policy and rational management measures with regards to fisheries resource exploitation in African context.
3. The training was attended by 40 participants from the following African Union Member States (AU MS): namely Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, The Gambia and Tunisia; Regional Economic Communities (RECs): ECOWAS and UEMOA; Training resource persons and International experts as well as AU-IBAR staff members.
4. The opening ceremony was marked by two statements from the representatives of AU-IBAR and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria: Dr Simplice Nouala, Chief Animal Production Officer gave the welcome remarks on behalf of Prof. Ahmed A. El-sawalhy the Director of AU-IBAR. He highlighted that fisheries management decisions are often taken with difficulty and without reference to the status of exploited stocks in the EEZs of coastal countries. This has been attributed mainly to absence of relevant information to inform policy and management decisions and also inadequate capacity to interpret and utilize research data even where such data are available. The availability of reliable data is one of the prerequisites for informed decision making in fisheries and aquaculture. Thus, the AU-IBAR developed a training manual to enhance capacity of AU member States in interpretation and utilization of fisheries (and ecosystem) scientific data/information for rational fisheries management. The overall objective of this document is to equip the African fisheries decisions makers, experts and/or administrators with the necessary skills and knowledge for enhancing their ability to successfully know and appreciate what kind of data could be analyzed to help understand the dynamics of fisheries for rational and sustainable management actions. He thanked the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for accepting to host this important event.

© 2016 AU-IBAR. First Partners and Third Project Steering Committee Meetings for the genetic projet. 24th - 26th July 2016 Cairo, Egypt.AU-IBAR is currently implementing a project “Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of African Animal Genetic Resources” with the support from the European Union and the African Union Commission. The project aims at facilitating and fast-tracking the implementation of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for sustainable use of animal genetic resources (AnGR) in Africa.

On 24^th - 26^th July 2016, the AU-IBAR Genetics Project held two consecutive meetings (Technical and Steering Committee) in Cairo, Egypt. The main objective of the 1^st meeting (Technical) was to critically discuss the technical merits and progress made by the project towards attainment of the goals. The meeting offered a platform for technical experts drawn from Member States (MS) (Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria and Senegal), the Secretariats of the Sub-Regional Focal Points (S-RFPs) for AnGR (CCARDESA, CEBEVIRHA, CORAF/WECARD and INRAA) and the projects’ implementing partners (CIRDES and ILRI) to review the achievements and challenges of the project and map the way forward. The Steering Committee (SC) meeting was attended by MS (Senegal, Chad, Mauritania, Malawi, Ethiopia and Egypt), RECs (UMA, SADC, ECCAS and IGAD), implementing partners (CIRDES and ILRI), S-RFPs (CORAF/WECARD, CCARDESA, CEBEVIRHA and INRAA), Farmers Organizations (Rwanda National Dairy Platform (RNDP) and Union Maghrébine des Associations Ovines et Caprines (WAMIP). In the technical meeting, participants discussed specific technical aspects of the project and the outcomes were presented to the SC members. The SC meeting discussed the status of the implementation of the Genetics project (technical, financial and Monitoring and Evaluation) as well as the project’s Year 4 Work plan.

© 2016 AU-IBAR. Experts’ Consultative Meeting on Strengthening Fish Trade Information System in Africa. 29 June - 1st July 2016 Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania. Introduction

The African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and its partners the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) and WorldFish in collaboration with the government of Zanzibar, the United Republic of Tanzania with support from the European Union organised an Experts’ Consultative Meeting on Strengthening Fish Trade Information System in Africa. The aim of the meeting was to ensure effective data collection and information dissemination in order to support decision making and facilitate intra-African trade in fisheries products. The workshop was held from 29^th June - 1^st July 2016 in Zanzibar, the United Republic of Tanzania.

The specific objectives of the meeting were: i) Sharing of experience and best practices between fish trade portals from different regions in the continent and how they can help improve one another; ii) Jointly with all stakeholders assess the current status and linkages of information systems implemented on the continent; iii) Develop a clear roadmap/ work plan with specific activities to be undertaken, in order to strengthen these portals, their promotion and how to make them sustainable.

The meeting was attended by 44 participants including representatives from existing fish trade portals in the continent (INFOPECHE with its sub-unit INFOSA, GLOBEFISH, INFOSAMAK, EFMIS-Ke), AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, Regional Fisheries Bodies, Private sector organisations, Developmental partners, WorldFish and staffs from AUC (AU-IBAR and NPCA). The list of participants is attached as annex to this communiqué.

The opening ceremony was marked by statements from Dr Motseki Hlatshwayo, on behalf of the SADC Executive Secretary; Dr. Sloans Chimatiro, Program Manager Fish Trade, WorldFish, on behalf of the Africa Regional Director; Dr Simplice Nouala, Chief Animal Production Officer on behalf of the Director AU-IBAR. The meeting was officially opened by The Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Livestock and Fisheries, Zanzibar, Dr Hamad Rashid Mohammed in the presence of The Permanent Secretary, Dr Juma Ali.

The Meeting

The meeting was facilitated by AU-IBAR and sessions chaired by EAC/LVFO and COMESA. The meeting was informed by presentations, plenary discussions and group work sessions.