The endorsement of the PFRS in 2014 by the African Heads of States and Governments as the blue print for the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in Africa provided abundant opportunities to promote coordination and coherence in the governance of the sector by the AU Member States and Regional institutions. PFRS is aimed at increasing sustainable contribution of aquaculture to food security, livelihoods and wealth creation. Within the framework of the African Union Agenda 2063, the Africa Blue Economy Strategy intends to achieve full wealth-generating potential for aquaculture sector to optimally contribute to the blue growth.
PFRS, developed in broader participatory manner, identified seven key pillars and cross-cutting issues as policy areas for reform in African fisheries and aquaculture sector. Key among the pillars is Sustainable Aquaculture development whose overall objective is to Jumpstart market-led sustainable aquaculture through creating an enabling environment, mainstream aquaculture strategies and plans into national development plans and CAADP, creating an African Centers of Excellence for Aquaculture and Increase research and dissemination of better practices. The PFRS also marks its tenth year in 2024. The PFRS has been domesticated in a number of African Union Member States and Regional Economic communities with a sole purpose of harmonizing aquaculture developments at all levels complemented by the continental aquaculture action plan, the AU recognised centres of excellence in Aquaculture are being utilised to create the critical technical expertise, several regional frameworks such as environmental management, guidelines for the Production, Transboundary Distribution and Trade of Aqua-feeds, Feed Ingredients and Feed Additives; development of viable aquaculture extension service models are some of the achievements made over the years.
Key words: PFRS, governance, aquaculture