AFRAQ24: Blue Farming and the Future of Aquaculture in Africa

@WAS

Aquaculture is vital to Africa's economies, contributing to sustainable food production, job creation, and improved livelihoods. Recognizing its importance, the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) has established annual conferences to celebrate achievements, address challenges, and foster collaboration in the sector. Tunisia, a leading aquaculture producer and one of the world’s fastest-growing countries in the field, will host the 3rd Aquaculture Africa Conference (AFRAQ24) from 19–22 November 2024 in Hammamet.  

With the theme "Blue Farming: New Horizons for Economic Growth," AFRAQ24 will explore key developmental issues, innovative research, and opportunities in international trade. The program includes workshops, training sessions, and dedicated activities for students, creating a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building.  

AU-IBAR's Participation at AFRAQ24  
AU-IBAR is actively participating in AFRAQ24, furthering its mandate to promote sustainable aquaculture development across Africa. Its contributions include:  
- Shaping a Continental Position on Aquaculture Development: AU-IBAR will share insights on advancing sustainable practices and policies.  
- Supporting ANAF and AUDA-NEPAD: Providing strategic support to the African Network of Aquaculture Centres (ANAF) and AUDA-NEPAD in driving aquaculture initiatives.  
- Organizing the Aquatic Animal Health Session: Addressing critical issues such as aquatic ecosystem health and biosecurity.  
- Facilitating FishGov2 Monitoring and Evaluation: Capturing lessons for the project’s close-out report to inform future initiatives.  
@AU-IBAR
Key Sessions at AFRAQ24  
1. Reframing the Aquaculture Development Paradigm in Africa  
This session will feature a presentation titled *"Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture (PFRS): A Blueprint for Aquaculture Development in Africa"* by Hellen Guebama and co-authors. The discussion will highlight the PFRS's contributions to driving innovation, enhancing governance, and addressing challenges in the aquaculture sector.  
A particular focus will be on fostering partnerships among governments, private sector players, and regional organizations to ensure the effective implementation of the PFRS. Collaborative efforts are crucial to addressing issues such as climate change, resource management, and sustainable growth.  

2. Aquatic Animal Health, Welfare & Biosecurity Control session
On 21st November, Dr. Isyagi will make a presentation on “The Merits for Regional Collaboration for Aquatic Biosecurity and Biosafety Control in Africa” that falls under the Aquatic Animal Health, Welfare & Biosecurity Control session. The presentation will highlight the critical role of regional collaboration in addressing biosecurity and biosafety challenges in Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. With most fish production occurring in shared aquatic ecosystems, sustainable management and governance require harmonized strategies and policies across countries.
Delegates will be informed on future joint work with AU-PANVAC that involves a continental assessment of Transboundary Aquatic Animal Diseases (TAADs), developing evidence-based strategies for biosecurity and biosafety control, and reviewing a framework for water quality management. This work, that was recommended by the AUC 5th STC-ARDWE in 2023 aims to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration on environmental management and water resource management to safeguard aquatic biodiversity. The plan also includes developing strategies for aquatic biosecurity control and aquatic animal vaccines, promoting coherence and collaboration, and providing continental guidance for aquaculture AMR control. Register for the session 

3. Priorities of the ANAF Strategic Plan 2025–2029 
Presented by Andrew Alio, this session will delve into ANAF’s strategic direction for 2025–2029. The presentation will highlight ANAF's alignment with the African Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM), which emphasizes inclusive stakeholder engagement.  
Immediate priorities include enhancing ANAF’s visibility, establishing a data and information management system, and fostering partnerships to strengthen aquaculture development. The session underscored the need to translate strategic objectives into actionable outcomes, fostering innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.  

The Role of the WAS-African Chapter  
The WAS-African Chapter has been a critical platform for advancing aquaculture in Africa, engaging public and private sector stakeholders. Established with support from AU-IBAR during the Fisheries Governance Phase One Project (FishGov1), the Chapter has since been hosted by AUDA-NEPAD. Through its annual conferences, it continues to galvanize efforts for sustainable aquaculture development, drawing robust support from Africa's National Directors of Fisheries and Aquaculture.  

Conclusion  
AFRAQ24 presents a unique opportunity to advance Africa's aquaculture agenda. By fostering innovation, promoting collaboration, and addressing pressing challenges, the conference aims to position aquaculture as a cornerstone of Africa's sustainable economic growth. AU-IBAR’s active participation underscores its commitment to driving impactful solutions for the continent’s aquaculture sector.