TUNISIA – The Third Annual International Conference and Exposition of the African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (AFRAQ2024) concluded successfully in Tunisia, held from November 19 to 22, 2024.
Held under the theme “Blue Farming: New Horizons for Economic Growth,” the event brought together over 1,000 participants, including researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and investors from Africa and beyond, to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities in aquaculture.
The comprehensive program featured a scientific forum, exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge technologies, industry-focused workshops, and exclusive tours of Tunisia’s renowned offshore seabream and seabass farming operations.
The conference program featured diverse sessions that delved into critical aspects of aquaculture, showcasing the sector’s breadth of impact and potential.
Experts and stakeholders explored fish biology, ecology, and environmental management, emphasising the importance of sustainable practices.
Discussions on feed nutrition physiology highlighted innovations in improving feed efficiency and quality.
Sessions on reframing the aquaculture development paradigm in Africa, along with dedicated panels on gender and youth, addressed inclusivity and equity in the sector.
Cutting-edge themes like seaweed cultivation, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), aquaponics, and biotechnology genetics and genomics underscored the industry’s drive toward innovative and sustainable systems.
Sessions on aquafeed production, aquatic animal health, welfare, and biosecurity also highlighted practical aspects of aquaculture.
The conference addressed finance, investment, and aquaculture value chain challenges, offering solutions to enhance trade and market access.
Regional discussions, such as those on aquaculture development in the Mediterranean and Black Sea and talks on sanitary and phytosanitary issues, provided localised insights within a global framework.
Special sessions on capacity building, training, and research celebrated the role of knowledge sharing, with the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) Student Session providing a platform for emerging voices.
Together, these discussions comprehensively picture aquaculture’s role in achieving sustainable development while respecting planetary boundaries.
These activities highlighted innovations in sustainable aquaculture practices and underscored the sector’s growing importance in driving Africa’s economic development.
Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway highlighted
In a dedicated session titled “Thriving Blue Economy through Sustainable Aquaculture,” WorldFish led the dialogue on scaling nature-positive and climate-smart aquaculture practices, emphasising Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA).
The session, spearheaded by WorldFish Senior Scientist Dr. Leila Basti, delved into the challenges of improving aquaculture systems and highlighted the transformative potential of the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS).
This ambitious initiative, implemented by WorldFish in collaboration with global and regional partners, seeks to advance sustainable aquaculture practices and restore marine ecosystems across Africa and Asia.
It aims to benefit coastal communities by enhancing food security, improving incomes, and creating opportunities for women and youth.
Funded under the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, AABS is being implemented in two phases over seven years (2023–2030).
The first phase focuses on countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, targeting over 300,000 direct beneficiaries and reaching an additional 400,000 indirectly. Women and youth form at least half of the primary beneficiaries.
The success of AFRAQ2024, bolstered by the strong support of Tunisia’s government and leading aquaculture companies such as Nutrifish and Aller Aqua, reinforced the importance of collaboration in scaling up Africa’s aquaculture potential.
As the curtains closed on AFRAQ2024, participants left the conference energised and optimistic, with renewed commitments to leveraging aquaculture as a key driver of sustainable development and economic growth across the continent.
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