Promoting sustainable aquatic food

Context

Billions of people around the world are dependent on fish, crustaceans, shellfish, algae and other foods from rivers, ponds and oceans for their daily diet. These aquatic foods supply animal protein, important nutrients such as fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. As Africa’s population grows, demand for these foods is rising; however, the stagnating capture fishery and poorly developed local aquaculture are unable to meet this demand. This is resulting in reduced fish consumption and growing under- and malnutrition.

Objective

Aquaculture and fisheries that produce food within planetary boundaries contribute to a positive change in agricultural and food systems.

Approach

In Madagascar, Malawi, Uganda and Zambia, the project is giving 17,000 farmers technical and business management training so that they can expand their aquaculture in an environmentally friendly manner. In this context, the project combines agro-ecological approaches, an economic perspective, and knowledge-sharing among the producers. This paves the way for aquaculture that is optimally tailored to the local context and small-scale farmers’ financial resources. The programme does not subsidze, to ensure that businesses are capable of producing aquatic foods economically independent over the long term.

The programme is implementing its activities with cooperation partners from civil society and the private sector. For example, the non-governmental organisation APDRA Pisciculture Paysanne is providing training on fish farming to rice growers in Madagascar. The farmers combine rice cultivation with fish farming in flooded fields.

Together with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the programme is working towards a participation of artisanal fishers in the political dialogue. Their voice should be heard by decision-makers and contribute to fairer fisheries. It is also important to curb illegal fishing, in order to secure the livelihoods of the artisanal fishing communities on the coasts of Africa.

Last update: November 2024