A recent publication from the Malabo Montpellier Panel - an organisation of 17 leading experts in agriculture, engineering, ecology, nutrition, and food security - highlights the need for continued policy implementation and investment in Africa's fisheries and aquaculture industries to avoid future deficits. Currently, the sector meets almost 20 percent of the demand for animal protein throughout Africa but, for this rate of consumption to continue, the report suggests that Africa's supplies of aquatic foods would need to increase by 74 percent by 2050 to avoid a projected deficit of 11 million tonnes annually by 2030.
"Fish and other aquatic foods play an increasingly important role in African diets and economic development. To benefit more from this growing sector, governments and the private sector need to facilitate innovation and address limiting factors like feed supplies in aquaculture and illegal coastal fishing," said Professor Joachim von Braun, co-chair of the Malabo Montpellier Panel, in a press release.
"This report illustrates how forward-thinking policies can foster the innovations needed to transform the continent's fisheries and aquaculture sector into a powerful engine for economic growth, jobs, and food security, while protecting the related ecologies," he added.
Aiming to highlight successful case studies, the report reviews the policy and programmatic interventions of Ghana, Malawi, Morocco, and Mozambique – countries that have shown considerable success and progress in growing their fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
In Ghana, the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs (AFJ) programme was launched to boost fish production and create employment opportunities for young people. Through the AFJ, the Ghanaian Government plans to train 10,000 youth in small-scale fish farming, creating around 50,000 additional jobs along fisheries and aquaculture value chains. The government invested in infrastructure, notably through the construction of the National Aquaculture Centre at Amrahi near Accra, where four cohorts have been trained and set up for business in various subsectors of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Additionally, in 2023, 265 aquaculture production facilities were constructed, with 32 million fingerlings supplied.
In Malawi, the Aquaculture Value Chain Project (AVCP) established the Aquaculture Business School, providing training to 4,500 small-scale producers and 144 fish farmer groups nationwide. Similarly, the Inclusive Business and Entrepreneurial Models (IBEMs) project for small-scale fish farmers provided training on aquaculture practices, business management, finance, and entrepreneurship to 1,046 farmers, 60 percent of whom were women.
In Morocco, the Halieutis Strategy - a comprehensive fisheries and aquaculture plan launched in 2009 - has positioned the country as a top fish exporter to the European Union (EU). The Small-Scale Fisheries Project constructed and equipped landing sites and port facilities and was involved in the establishment of three marine protected areas, each extending over 40 km of coastline. It established five wholesale fish markets, provided certificate training, and equipped nearly 1,000 mobile fish vendors and 20,000 artisan fishers. These efforts, along with promoting research, improving fish management plans, and fighting unregulated and illegal fishing practices, have contributed to annual per capita consumption of fish and fishery products by more than 10 percent.
Mozambique's More Sustainable Fish programme provides grants to artisanal fishers and small enterprises to improve their fishing techniques, reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, and boost food security. The programme has significantly impacted communities across seven provinces by providing financing to over 1,000 artisanal fishing households. These grants have supported sustainable practices, such as using better fishing gear and improved postharvest techniques, directly contributing to better economic opportunities for marginalised coastal communities. In addition, the Small-Scale Aquaculture Development and the Artisanal Fisheries and Climate Change projects are highlighted as prime examples of how prioritising grassroots participation can drive sustainable and successful fisheries models.
From these positive case studies, the authors of the report presented four key suggestions to guide the policy interventions of African governments and development partners to enhance the performance of the fisheries and aquaculture sector across the continent:
Invest in infrastructure, technology, and regulations: Investment in hatcheries, preservation, and processing facilities utilising renewable energy, alongside innovative technologies that support nutritional, economic, and environmental goals should be prioritised. Robust monitoring and enforcement frameworks are needed to tackle IUU fishing.
Strengthen support for smallholder aquaculture: To cultivate market-wide resilience, develop financial products and mobile apps that cater to smallholder needs, provide technical training and skills development programmes, and facilitate equal market access.
Support innovation and increase research funding: Building a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation is crucial. This can be achieved through innovation hubs and mentorship programmes, directing more resources toward research on sustainability, and tax incentives for research institutions.
Enhance regional cooperation, integration, and trade facilitation: Creating more efficient and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture systems will necessitate harmonised national, continental, and global fishing regulations, common certification and labelling systems, and streamlined customs procedures.
