{"id":12111,"date":"2023-09-07T16:41:42","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T15:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/?p=12111"},"modified":"2023-09-07T16:41:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T15:41:42","slug":"advancing-a-developed-african-fisheries-and-aquaculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/advancing-a-developed-african-fisheries-and-aquaculture\/","title":{"rendered":"Advancing a developed African Fisheries and Aquaculture"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The s<\/span>econd\u00a0m<\/span>eeting of the\u00a0r<\/span>evised African\u00a0F<\/span>isheries Reform Mechanism\u00a0(AFRM), \u00a0<\/span>Think Tank Executive Committee (TTEC) is currently underway\u00a0in Naivasha, Kenya.<\/p>\n

The e<\/span>vent\u00a0organized by the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD\u00a0seeks to\u00a0<\/span>review and enrich position papers and knowledge products that support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture across the African continent.<\/p>\n

Institutionalizing a Value Chain Approach for\u00a0<\/b>a developed sector<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

AU-IBAR did a research on 53 AU Member States and reviewed best practices on fisheries and aquaculture and documented them.\u00a0<\/span>The findings\u00a0provided essential insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

The study revealed that many African countries currently lack fundamental institutions and management required to achieve the objectives set out in the African Union’s Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS). Long-term commitment is crucial for building human and institutional capacity and realizing PFRS outcomes. Public sector programs often have short lifespans, whereas long-term programs are required for sustained growth.<\/p>\n

The effectiveness of governance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, as well as the development of value chains, now significantly rely on the efficiency of regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs), agreements within Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and the implementation of certification schemes.<\/span><\/p>\n

The study highlighted good examples of sustainable practices on fisheries and aquaculture that enhanced the creation of more stable jobs. These practices also led to economic growth, food and nutrition security was also enhanced. An analysis on what made the best practices a success were featured in a report by AU-IBAR.<\/span><\/p>\n

A comprehensive understanding of existing value chains, particularly in rapidly growing aquaculture sectors, is essential for designing effective interventions.\u00a0Collaboration between strong governance institutions, including national governments, regional fisheries bodies, and non-state actors, is pivotal for building robust fishery and aquaculture value chains.<\/p>\n

It is important to note that women should be included in value chain development.\u00a0<\/span>Despite policies promoting equitable inclusion of women, they remain marginalized in the sector. Empowering women requires larger-scale interventions for equitable participation.<\/p>\n

Best Practices Insights<\/b><\/p>\n

The initiatives aimed at unleashing the potential of fisheries and aquaculture value chains, as observed, encompassed the following:<\/p>\n