New chapter to promote growth
THE World Aquaculture Society launched its Africa Chapter during World Aquaculture 2017 in Cape Town last month.
Guinea ambassador Mamady Camara addressed the launch, after the first full day of the conference and exhibition, on behalf of Guinean president Professor Alpha Condé, who is chairman of the African Union and the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) agency’s champion for fisheries and aquaculture. ‘The African aquaculture community will make significant investment and commitment to their newly formed chapter and will do all in its power to sustain the momentum of the WAS African Chapter,’ said Camara.
Earlier, at the opening ceremony of World Aquaculture 2017, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of NEPAD, told delegates that there was now a strong political will by many African states to work with agencies and the African Union to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture management.
‘There is great potential in the inland fishery and aquaculture sector to increase fish production and utilisation, thereby creating employment and economic opportunities for youth through aquaculture activities.’
In recognition of the early developmental stage of African aquaculture, special sessions on developing value chains, financing African aquaculture, and policy implementation were presented by the African Union, NEPAD, the World Bank and WorldFish.
The trade show hosted more than 90 exhibitors, while the conference featured over 70 parallel sessions covering an array of aquaculture related topics and speakers.
The event was co-organised by WAS with the Aquacul- ture Association of Southern Africa and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).
It attracted sponsorship and support from African development institutions including DAFF, NEPAD, the African Union and the WorldFish Centre.
‘Africa is here and she is ready,’ said Siphokazi Ndundane from DAFF.