The AU Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS)
advocates holistic transboundary aquatic ecosystem approaches following international and regional best practice, for the continent’s management of natural fish stocks, sustainable aquaculture development, and fish trade in domestic, regional and global markets. However, threats to the sector’s sustainability, emanating from emerging transboundary aquatic animal diseases (TAADS), environmental degradation, climate change and demographic changes are increasingly evident. The African Union Commission (AUC) has consequently tasked its lead technical agencies, the Interafrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
and Pan-African Veterinary Vaccine Center (AU-PANVAC)
to strengthen Africa’s continental capacity for aquatic animal health and aquatic biosecurity control for: the early detection, accurate reporting and control of the spread of aquatic animal diseases, pests and invasive species ; control acquisition and spread of aquatic antimicrobial resistance through aquatic animal food-production systems ; the development and use of effective alternatives to antimicrobial agents to safeguard health, welfare and safety of Africa’s aquatic animal s and their products; and for compliance to the World Trade Organization’s s anitary and phyto-sanitary measures. Diagnostic laboratory services are a pre-requisite for achieving this.
A continental online survey to assess the status and prospects for establishing three-tier regional laboratory information management systems involving both public and private-sector stakeholders to generate and share accurate and credible sanitary data and information in a timely manner, was consequently commissioned in 2023 . The preliminary findings of the survey, are hereby shared.