The Global Sustainable Aquaculture Advancement Partnership (GSAAP) is a voluntary partnership mechanism of aquaculture stakeholders predominantly from academia. It was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS) to enhance the scientific basis of aquaculture, promote continuous innovation, and fully harness the potential of aquaculture for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership functions as a collaborative platform to discuss key issues and challenges. It also facilitates transfer and implementation of aquaculture innovations and advancements in aquaculture science and technology.
Although GSAAP was founded only in 2022, FAO and its partners have already initiated substantive work where the areas of expertise of various partners intersect with the recognized needs of stakeholders striving to develop sustainable aquaculture. These needs, collected from various intergovernmental fora such as the COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, multistakeholder events such as the Global Conference on Aquaculture Millennium +20 and through the academic work of partners through their own programmes, are expected to address constraints and blocking issues to aquaculture’s development.
Currently, following the initial discussion and work plan, GSAAP has carried out some pilot projects such as policy dialogues on seaweed farming which have been convened with the participation of 44 countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, bringing together major stakeholders in seaweed aquaculture to support international cooperation and capacity-building initiatives to address policy gaps and develop or strengthen national strategies. Pilot activities will be followed by in-country training and capacity development, and dissemination of results through the GSAAP network and the African Union Centres of Excellence in Fisheries and Aquaculture. In 2023, University of Ibadan has investigated the feasibility of black soldier fly larvae as an alternative feed for catfish in Nigeria . T he University of South Bohemia (Czechia) has provided a technical backstopping mission to South Africa on aquaponics, and shared with national stakeholders the design and establishment of aquaponic research and pilot systems in Free State.
All interested stakeholders, including policymakers, academic institutions, and private sector are encouraged to join the partnership. For more information on how to join the partnership, please email the GSAAP Secretariat at GSAAP@fao.org.