The African Platform for Regional Institutions in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Systems

Acronym: APRIFAAS

The African Platform for Regional Institutions in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Systems (APRIFAAS) is a dynamic network of regional organizations dedicated to advancing fisheries and aquaculture governance in Africa. Established in 2015 under the auspices of the African Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM), APRIFAAS brings together a diverse group of regional institutions committed to the sustainable development of aquatic resources on the continent.

Our Mission:

At APRIFAAS, our primary mission is to support the execution of key policy frameworks and reform strategies for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa. We align our efforts with the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals. By fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and advocating for policy reforms, we aim to drive positive change in the fisheries and aquaculture sector across Africa.

Activities

We facilitate bi-annual meetings and general assemblies to share information, align work plans, and develop joint initiatives among our members. Our key activities include harmonizing fisheries programs with African Union policies, representing the African voice in global forums, and mobilizing resources to support our work. We also maintain an information portal and a quarterly electronic newsletter to promote knowledge sharing and communication among members.

Secretariat and Contact

The APRIFAAS Secretariat is proudly hosted by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), located in Nairobi, Kenya. If you have any inquiries or wish to connect with us, please feel free to reach out to us at office@au-ibar.org or visit our website at https://www.au-ibar.org/.

Join APRIFAAS

If you are a regional organization interested in promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, we invite you to become a member of APRIFAAS. Together, we can make a significant impact on the future of aquatic resources in Africa and work towards a more prosperous, food-secure, and sustainable continent.

Join us on this exciting journey as we collaborate, advocate, and innovate for the betterment of Africa's fisheries and aquaculture sector. Together, we can shape a brighter future for all.

APRIFAAS Members

  1. Abidjan Convention
  2. Arab Maghreb Union (UMA)
  3. AUDA-NEPAD
  4. AUC DREA
  5. Benguela Current Convention (BCC)
  6. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
  7. Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
  8. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
  9. General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
  10. INFOPECH
  11. Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
  12. La Commission Régionale des Pêches du Golfe de Guinée (COREP)
  13. Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC)
  14. Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA)
  15. Lake Victorial Fisheries Organisation (LVFO)
  16. Nairobi Convention
  17. Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)
  18. Regional Sea Conventions
  19. Senegal River Basin Organization (OMVS Senegal)
  20. Southern African Development Community (SADC)
  21. South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC)
  22. The Economic Commission for Livestock, Meat and Fisheries Resources (CEBEVIRHA)
  23. The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC/CPCO)
  24. The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
  25. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
  26. The Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African States bordering the Atlantic Ocean (COMHAFAT/ATLAFCO)
  27. The Sub-regional Fisheries Commission (SRFC)
  28. The Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM)


Observers/ Development Partners/ Projects

  1. ECOFISH
  2. European Union (EU)
  3. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  4. Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
  5. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
  6. The National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI)
  7. The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
  8. The Programme for Improved Regional Fisheries Governance in Western Africa (PESCAO)
  9. True Fish Farming Story in Lake Victoria Basin (TRUEFISH)
  10. World Bank (WB)

Achievements of APRIFAAS

The African Platform for Regional Institutions in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Systems (APRIFAAS) has made significant contributions to achieving Strategic Objective 2 of the FishGov2 Project, which seeks to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture policies in Africa are aligned with the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) and coordinated across continental, regional, and national levels. This objective is crucial for maintaining healthy and resilient marine, coastal, and freshwater ecosystems, especially in the face of climate change.

Key achievements include:

  1. Six Consultative Meetings Organized: APRIFAAS has successfully held six meetings that promoted coordination and institutional collaboration between Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and specialized regional institutions in fisheries and aquaculture management.
  2. Strengthened Synergies and Linkages: The platform has played a pivotal role in fostering synergies among regional institutions, including RECs, Regional Sea Conventions, water basin authorities, and regional fisheries bodies, thereby improving regional cooperation.
  3. Integrated Thematic Focus: APRIFAAS is facilitating the alignment of planned activities in areas such as small-scale fisheries, the blue economy, and regional cooperation,covering themes like environmental management in fisheries and aquaculture production systems, and the coordinated implementation of global instruments related to aquatic biodiversity conservation and ecosystems.

APRIFAAS Knowledge Sharing Platform

 

The APRIFAAS Knowledge Sharing Platform is designed as a dedicated space for members and stakeholders to access and exchange vital information and resources related to fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic systems in Africa. Its purpose is to foster collaboration and knowledge dissemination among regional institutions by providing:

Information Resources; Membership Profiles; Event Information

Join or access the various spaces: https://networks.au-ibar.org/show/africa-platform-for-regional-institutions-in-fisheries-aquaculture-and-aquatic-systems-aprifaas-nairobi