The World Aquaculture Society (WAS) was founded in 1969 and its membership has grown significantly in over 100 countries, representing the global aquaculture community. In order to meet the expanding international nature of the Society and to address specific needs in various areas of the world, the WAS has created Chapters in the United States, Japan, Korea, the Latin American and Caribbean region, the Asian-Pacific region, and most recently in Africa.
Aquaculture will undoubtedly have to play an increasingly important role in meeting global demand for fisheries products as the world population continues to expand and fisheries stocks approach their biological limits. Through its commitment to excellence in science, technology, education and information exchange, the WAS will endeavor to contribute to the progressive and sustainable development of aquaculture throughout the world.
The African Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS-AC) was established in November 2018 as a platform to address the needs and aspirations of the African aquaculture sector. The annual meetings of WAS are recognized as the “premier” aquaculture conferences and exhibitions - bringing together a wide variety of aquaculturists from the commercial, academics, governmental, development partners and others actors in the field - in line with the WAS's vision and strategic plan.
At AFRAQ23, Zambia, the WAS-AC launched a PALOP platform (Portuguese Speaking African Countries), also known as Lusophone Africa which consists of six African countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe and, since 2011, the accession of Equatorial Guinea. Almost all of these countries have prioritized the aquaculture development for food and nutrition security, livelihoods and other economic benefits. However, production volumes remain low but nascent for most of these countries. This is due to a number of overarching factors, including lack of adequate skills and education.
It is against this background that WAS, through its level commitment to excellence in science, technology, education and information exchange, will endeavor to contribute to the progressive and sustainable development of aquaculture to the PALOP world. We believe this can be achieved through; strategic connections between PALOP and other Communities of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), which include Brazil, Portugal and East Timor, joint research initiatives, focused training and mentorship programmes; and other intervention-support programmes in line with to WAS mandate.
It has been demonstrated that the collaboration and exchange of experiences between African countries and amongst PALOP, in particular, are crucial for strengthening capacities in aquaculture development.
Join us as we connect with the Portuguese audience at AFRAQ24.
English-Portuguese interpretations/translations will be available if requested.
Contact reference:frapidelgado14@gmail.com /africanchapter@was.org