The policy research initiative aims to enhance the FAO capacity to support African Member Countries’ design and implementation of aquaculture policies and strategic plans aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the FAO Blue Transformation vision. This study examined existing aquaculture policies at the national, regional and continental levels. Examination of the aquaculture objectives of Blue Transformation, the African Union Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS), and the Regional Economic Community aquaculture priorities showed broad similarities in the policy narrative and overarching dimensions. Specifically, the PFRS aims to jump-start market-led aquaculture; the East African Community’s (EAC) goal is to promote investment in sustainable commercial aquaculture and effective biosecurity measures; the Southern African Development Community (SADC) aims to increase the contribution of aquaculture to local, national and regional economic growth and trade; the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aims “to increase the profitability of environmentally and socially sound aquaculture to achieve continued sector growth”; and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) aims to enhance aquatic organism supplies, generate income and employment, and diversify livelihoods.
Despite common policy priorities, differences were also observed in the prioritization of policies. For this reason, a tool for planning, implementation and monitoring was developed. The national aquaculture development strategy and country plans are incorporated in the consolidated action plan.
The action plan outlines objectives, strategic, actions to be taken, expected targets, anticipated output, and the region and country responsible for implementing activities. Performance indicators are given with periods for accomplishment. The consolidated action plan has three major objectives: (i) assisting Member States in developing aquaculture strategies and programmes to expand and transform the sector; (ii) enhancing regional cooperation to equalize African aquaculture and harmonize policy development; and (iii) facilitating advocacy for increased investment in the aquaculture sector within the framework of national development policies and for research in semi-arid lands
Ultimately, the outcome of this exercise is expected to enhance the ability of FAO and member countries in the project cycle (planning, implementation and evaluation phases) and guarantee that aquaculture programmes in sub-Saharan Africa will be better coordinated and achieve more coherent and consistent aquaculture sector growth in the region