Enhancing Sustainable Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Development In Africa: A Programme for Accelerated Reform of the Sector (FISHGOV 2)
Overview
In Africa, the fisheries and aquaculture industries are crucial for providing millions of people with accessible, nutritious food and sustainable livelihoods. Nevertheless, there are worrisome projections: the FAO predicts a decrease in average per capita fish consumption from 10 to 8.3 kg by 2030. There are several factors that have contributed to this decline, such as challenges in governance, worsening environmental degradation due to climate change, and problems with productivity.
In order to address these urgent concerns, African Union leaders embraced the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS) for Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2014, with the goal of offering a strategic roadmap for the sector's advancement.
Expanding on the achievements and insights gained from the initial phase of the Fisheries Governance project (FishGov 1), AU-IBAR and AUDA-NEPAD are leading the way in the "Enhancing Sustainable Fisheries Management And Aquaculture Development In Africa: A Programme For Accelerated Reform Of The Sector (FISHGOV 2)" Project.
This project aims to strengthen the role of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in achieving the objectives outlined in the AU Agenda 2063. It specifically focuses on enhancing food security, improving livelihoods, and creating wealth.
The project is organised into three main strategic pillars:
- Encouraging evidence-based decision-making processes through increased knowledge, inclusive consultations, strong reporting mechanisms, and the promotion of cross-sectoral collaboration.
- Ensuring the smooth implementation of the PFRS at continental, regional, and national levels to align with AU priorities and enhance coordination.
- Enhancing Africa's representation and impact in global fisheries and aquaculture discussions, while effectively integrating international agreements into local policies and regulations.
Our main goal is to improve food security, livelihoods, and wealth creation in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, in line with the AU Agenda 2063.
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Policy Framework & Reform Strategy for Fisheries & Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS)
This Policy Framework lays down the guiding principles for the strategy, namely (i) increasing fisheries and aquaculture productivity, (ii) improving profitability of fish enterprises, (iii) enhancing sustainability, (iv) wealth generation, (v) social welfare, nutrition and food security, and (vi) regional collaborative management and strengthening south-south cooperation as well as the “African Voice” on international policy dialogue which has implications for African fisheries governance.
 Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa. May 2014 | VISION STATEMENT: Sustainable management and utilization of fisheries and aquaculture resources through the creation of a conducive and enabling environment for equitable, economic and social development in Africa |
OVERALL GOAL: Provide structured guidance to Africa’s fisheries management agencies, and other stakeholders to facilitate reforms towards coherent national and regional policies to ensure full wealth-generating potential, sustainable social, environmental, profitable outcomes for Africa and its people | |
PURPOSE: To facilitate transformation of Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture for food, livelihoods and wealth |
Coordination Mechanism: African Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM)
The African Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM) is a flagship initiative led by the African Union (AU) that was endorsed in 2019 to enhance coordination and coherence in the governance of Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Established in 2014, the AFRM emerged in response to a 2010 call by the Conference of African Ministers of Fisheries and Aquaculture (CAMFA), aiming to create a unified platform for collaboration and policy advocacy across the continent.
A Platform for Collaboration and Reform
At its core, the AFRM serves as a continental hub where diverse stakeholders—policymakers, researchers, private sector actors, and small-scale operators—unite to exchange knowledge, drive policy reforms, and monitor progress in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Its goal is to build sustainable, productive, and resilient systems that contribute to Africa’s food security and economic growth.
Functions
- Coordination
- Information sharing
- Knowledge generation
- Advocacy
- Policy development
- Resources mobilization
AFRM Working Groups: Champions of Sectoral Development
The AFRM is structured around four specialized Working Groups, each addressing critical areas of the sector:
- Governance: Strengthening institutional frameworks and driving policy coherence.
- Aquaculture: Enhancing sustainable aquaculture practices to boost productivity.
- Trade: Promoting fair and inclusive access to local and global markets.
- Small-Scale Fisheries: Advocating for the rights and resilience of small-scale fisheries, a vital lifeline for many African communities.
These Working Groups provide strategic guidance, recommend reforms, and ensure alignment with regional and global goals.
Integrating with Continental Priorities
The AFRM plays a pivotal role in supporting the African Union’s Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment. Through initiatives like the FishGov2 Project, efforts are underway to streamline and activate the AFRM, including convening working group meetings to address emerging challenges and opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture.
Building a Sustainable Future
With its focus on collaboration, advocacy, and action, the AFRM continues to champion sustainable growth and governance in Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors. By fostering partnerships and driving innovation, it aims to unlock the full potential of these vital resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
Main Goal
The main goal of FishGov 2 is to improve the role of fisheries and aquaculture in supporting the African Union's Agenda 2063. This includes addressing important areas such as food security, livelihoods, and wealth creation.
Goals and Targets
The Project has a set of specific objectives:
1. The decisions made by the African Union regarding sustainable fisheries and aquaculture policies are supported by evidence.
2. The policies related to fisheries and aquaculture in Africa are aligned with the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and aquaculture in Africa (PFRS) as well as other important priorities of the African Union. These policies are coordinated at continental, regional, and national levels.
3. Africa is well-represented and actively participates in international forums focused on fisheries and aquaculture. Additionally, Africa successfully incorporates relevant global instruments into its domestic practices.
Project Collaboration and Stakeholders
The FishGov2 Project collaborates closely with a range of esteemed knowledge-based institutions and stakeholders to deliver impactful outputs. Here's how we're working together:
- Centres of Excellence: These institutions play a pivotal role in executing technical and capacity-building activities. They assist in establishing crucial resources like data repositories, conducting foresight studies on critical aspects of fisheries and aquaculture, and producing knowledge products. Additionally, they facilitate capacity-building activities to empower AU member states.
- Regional Economic Communities (RECs): Building political commitments and facilitating regional-level activities are key roles of RECs. They monitor the implementation of the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS) by member states, integrate fisheries and aquaculture into National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) and Regional Agricultural Investment Plans (RAIPs), and establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Moreover, they promote the adoption of continental frameworks and programs and oversee the implementation of policy decisions.
- Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and Bodies: These entities provide specialized technical expertise to enhance regional cooperation in fisheries management and aquaculture development. They contribute to sustainability efforts and support the activities of our project in these areas.
- Continental Networks, Regional Platforms, and Networks: Leveraging existing networks is crucial for successful implementation. These entities serve as valuable assets to support various project activities. Furthermore, the project rationalizes the involvement of Non-State Actors (NSAs) in selected activities, utilizing them as advocacy groups for disseminating PFRS provisions, supporting ministerial decisions' implementation, and advocating for key issues at national and regional levels.
By fostering collaboration with these institutions and stakeholders, the FishGov2 Project aims to maximize its impact and achieve sustainable outcomes in fisheries and aquaculture across Africa.
FishGov 2 is under the collective responsibility of AU-IBAR and AUDA NEPAD for its overall administration and coordination. As well as fostering a technical consensus on fisheries and aquaculture issues in Africa, this initiative is also increasing political momentum and coherence among AU policies and initiatives through stronger ties to AU governance systems and heightened collaborations with other African Union Commission departments; notably the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE).