www.mamopanel.org FISH-FRIENDLY: Policy Innovations for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa @MaMoPanel MaMoPanel #MaMoForum 15th Malabo Montpellier Forum 30 January 2025

Presentation Outline Part One: Main Report Findings Part Two: Lessons from case study countries Part Three: Action agenda

Presentation Outline Part One: Main Report Findings Part Two: Lessons from case study countries Part Three: Action agenda and Recommendations Dr. Aisha Musaazi S. Nakitto, Scientist & Malabo Montpellier Panel Interim Program Lead AKADEMIYA2063, Rwanda

Capture Fisheries & Aquaculture: Current Landscape Africa's coastal and island states • 13 million km2 of ocean territory • Over 1.5 million km2 in Exclusive Economic Zones Africa contributed 6% to global capture fisheries & aquaculture production in 2022 • Compared to 5.4% in 2000 Africa had highest aquaculture growth rate globally - over 5-fold Capture fisheries in Africa expanded by 52% - UNCTAD 2024: https://unctad.org/meeting/9th-global-aid-trade-review-side-event-integrating-blue-economy-trade- national-development - FAO 2024: https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/statistics/software/fishstatj

Capture Fisheries & Aquaculture: Future prospects Rising demand for fish in Africa and beyond • Population growth, rapid urbanization & increasing income. • Increasing awareness & demand for nutritious foods. Presents opportunity for jobs across the fisheries and aquaculture value chains • Research, production, processing, marketing, trade Improve food security, nutrition and economic development https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/fish-processing-africa.html?page=2&sortBy=relevant

Challenges in the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector Unsustainable practices • Overfishing • Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing • estimated loss of USD 11.2 billion in Africa annually Habitat degradation • Pollution • Agricultural run-off Climate change • Rising temperatures • Drought Business environment Access to: • Inputs e.g. certified fingerlings and feed • Technologies across the value chains • Finance • Markets Postharvest losses • Infrastructure • Capacity building Limited data • Hinders effective fisheries resources management • Limits sector prioritization in national planning https://au.int/en/newsevents/20230705/validation-workshop-report-africas-policy-guidelines-curb-iuu-fishing-and •Limited Knowledge & skills •Weak or lack of comprehensive governance frameworks

Global and Continental Frameworks for Aquaculture and Fisheries Africa Policy Framework & Reform Strategy for Fisheries & Aquaculture in Africa Africa Blue Economy Strategy AU's 2050 African Maritime Strategy CAADP Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035 Global United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies Port State Measures Agreement Sustainable Development Goals

Presentation Outline Part One: Main Report Findings Part Two: Lessons from case study countries Part Three: Action agenda and Recommendations

Lessons from case study countries - Methodology Aim: Identify African countries that have made the most progress in advancing their fisheries and aquaculture sector. A 5-step approach was taken using the 4 indicators o Level and growth of capture fisheries production o Level and growth of aquaculture production o Level and growth of apparent aquatic food consumption per capita o Environmental Performance Index Indicators were compared to rank & select countries based on their performances

Methodology: 5-step approach to select country case studies Step 1: High-ranking countries in production levels & growth in capture fisheries Step 2: High-ranking countries in production levels and growth in aquaculture Step 3: Identified countries that ranked high in steps 1 and 2.

Methodology: 5-step approach to select country case studies Step 4: High-ranking countries in aquatic food consumption per capita

Methodology: 5-step approach to select country case studies Step 5: Environmental Performance Index score NA = ‘not applicable’ as not coastal countries

Countries selected for case studies Ghana Malawi Morocco Mozambique

Ghana: Enhancing capacity building & aquaculture production https://www.globalseafood.org/advocate/tilapia-aquaculture-in-ghana/ Supports development of improved fish breeding techniques & dissemination of findings • Aquaculture Research & Dev’t Centre Investing in infrastructure & training to promote adoption of sustainable practices • Through the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs Programme e.g in 2023 o National Aquaculture Centre constructed o 264 Aquaculture production facilities built, 32 million fingerlings supplied Promotes establishment of food processing enterprises through training programs e.g. • Safe Fish Certification and License Scheme o Trained nearly 1300 youth in processing, in 2023 Supports private sector in addressing their challenges e.g high feed cost & access to finances • Chamber of Aquaculture

Malawi: Innovative financial & trade solutions for sector growth Financial solutions tailored to boost fish processing enterprises & export of fish products • Export Development Fund – also offers business training Tax incentives are offered to the sector, reducing the cost of key inputs - Malawi Revenue Authority Prioritizes the sector in national development plans – invests in research, training & infrastructure • Malawi 2063; Malawi Growth and Development Strategy • Local development Fund Innovative strategies to fund research & ensure quality standards cross the sector’s value chains • Produce & sell quality fish feed - National Aquaculture Centre • Training service & levies - Malawi Bureau of Standards Enhancing small scalers’ access to fish farming technologies and diverse extension services • National Agricultural Investment Plan https://www.fishtradesupplies.co.uk/aboutus.html

Mandatory EIA before approval of all aquaculture projects, to protect the marine ecosystem • Law No. 49–17 on environmental impact assessments Implementation of a comprehensive fisheries and aquaculture plan – the Halieutis Strategy • Investment in surveillance of maritime fishing activities e.g. satellite- based Vessel Monitoring Systems & Radio Frequency Identification • Generalization of Social Coverage for Fishermen program ensures well- being of workers in fisheries Conducts groundbreaking research in marine ecosystems, & fishing techniques –boosted production • National Institute of Fisheries– trains local communities Innovative dissemination of research findings via the Interactive scientific information platform • L'Observatoire Halieutique Marocain –under INRH Morocco: Environmental protection and data sharing https://www.moroccoworldnews.com

https://www.tm-tracking.org/post/equipping-fcwc-member-states-for-success-in-combating-iuu-fishing Strong enforcement of regulatory frameworks to combat IUU fishing • National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate IUU fishing Investments in infrastructure, technology, & capacity- building to prevent overfishing & IUU fishing • Advanced Monitoring, Control & Surveillance fleets; MCS strategy Initiatives that financially support smallholder fishers & fish farmers to enhance production, marketing & trade • Artisanal Fisheries Dev’t Project >> offered credits • More Sustainable Fish program >> offer grants to over 1000 artisans Funding & research agencies specific to developing fisheries & aquaculture • Blue Economy Dev’t Fund, FP-ProAzul • Oceanographic Institute of Mozambique Mozambique: Promoting sustainable practices & financial access

Presentation Outline Part One: Main Report Findings Part Two: Lessons from case study countries Part Three: Action agenda and Recommendations Dr. Heike Baumüller Senior Researcher, The Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn

Action Agenda and Recommendations Investment in Infrastructure, Technology, and Regulations • Infrastructure investments for capture fisheries (e.g. ports), aquaculture (e.g. hatcheries, feed production) and marketing (e.g. cold chains, processing) • Improved aquaculture systems e.g. integrated rice-fish farming • Mobile technologies for data collection & communication along value chains • Systematic monitoring and enforcement of legal penalties to improve resource management and combat IUU fishing

Action Agenda and Recommendations Strengthen Support for Smallholder Aquaculture • Financial products specific to the needs of smallholder fish farmers e.g. micro-loans, low-interest credit, and insurance options • Innovative strategies to disseminate market information for better prices & increased supply chain efficiencies • National & regional policies to strengthen market linkages & access to inputs • Training and skills development programs specifically for smallholders

Action Agenda and Recommendations Support Innovation and Increase Research Funding • Innovation hubs & mentorship programs to build skilled workforce • Prioritize funding to fisheries & aquaculture research • Collaboration between gov’ts, private sector, & universities to leverage resources and expertise

Action Agenda and Recommendations Enhance Regional Cooperation, Integration & Trade Facilitation • Leverage existing frameworks e.g. AU’s Policy Framework & Reform Strategy for Fisheries & Aquaculture • Regional harmonization of fishing regulations and joint actions against IUU fishing in transboundary fisheries • Common certification and labeling systems for sustainable, high-quality fish products • Streamlining customs procedures and eliminating tariffs

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