The event was graced by Zambia’s minister of fisheries and livestock, Makozo Chikote and other senior state dignitaries from Zambia and other African countries. High-level guests from WAS, FAO, WorldFish, Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern Africa Development Co-operation (SADC), Africa Union (AU) also featured at the opening ceremony.
Other highlights during the Opening Ceremony include the inaugural African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS-AC) honours and awards ceremony, which saw Dr Sherif Sadek (Egypt) being recognised for his role in serving as first chapter president (2018-2022), as well as chairperson of the inaugural Aquaculture Africa 2021 (AFRAQ21). Dr Sadek is a renowned aquaculture expert, supplier and shrimp production operator from Egypt.
Other special honourees during the occasion include the AUDA-NEPAD for its role in hosting the Secretariat of WAS-AC; the South African government through the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) for its role in supporting the establishment of WAS-AC since 2017. Aller Aqua, the chapter’s founding gold sponsor and gold sponsor to AFRAQs was also specially recognised for its role in developing aquaculture in Africa.
According to the organisers the most unique element of AFRAQ23 was the presence of a number of developmental organisations who hosted a number of special side-sessions and workshops covering some various key thematic areas.
These included AUDA-NEPAD, FAO, World Bank, WorldFish, Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF), the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Program (WISHH), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), COMESA, SADC, Aquaculture Without Frontiers (AwF), WAVMA and others. The presence of major industry players such as Aller Aqua, Yalelo, Lake Harvest Aquaculture, Aqua-spark, Grand Group for Fish Feed, Chicoa Fish Farm Mozambique and others, as well as several SMEs in aquaculture from Zambia and Africa-wide was noteworthy.
Like in all WAS global events, the technical and scientific programme was complemented by a major international trade show which featured 55 booths from 22 countries, including a Zambia aquaculture pavilion which showcased the country’s aquaculture industry and some projects. An aquaculture tour concluded the programme with delegates having the opportunity to visit some active aquaculture sites in Siavonga/Lake Kariba and around Lusaka.
