Session Overview

This session is designed to raise awareness of the WorldFish Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) programme among its stakeholders in Africa and to engage participants in a comprehensive discussion on developing and scaling sustainable, nature-positive, and climate-smart coastal and marine aquaculture. A key focus area for engagement will be the scaling the implementation of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), which is one of AABS’ key objectives as a pathway to fostering blue economy. The session will also delve into themes covering aquatic animal health, feed and nutrition, genetics, and postharvest challenges and solutions.

Students will be provided with an opportunity to present their research related to aquaculture, including IMTA, postharvest challenges related to food loss and waste, food safety and market access. Prizes will be awarded for the best student research presentations, with a one-year follow up by WorldFish to publicise their achievements and the impact of their work on the development of sustainable aquaculture practices.

Session objectives

1. Raise awareness of AABS: Provide project overview with a focus on the goals, activities, and expected outcomes of the project in Africa under its work packages WP2 and WP3, topics aligned with AFRAQ.
2. Highlight nature-positive and climate-smart aquaculture solutions: Explore the importance of nature-positive and climate-smart systems, such as IMTA, in addressing aquaculture challenges in Africa.
3. Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange: Encourage participants to engage in meaningful dialogue on key challenges in aquaculture while identifying potential solutions. Facilitate connections to promote ongoing collaboration in sustainable coastal and marine aquaculture, particularly IMTA, towards AABS’ goals.
4. Inspire innovation and support youth through student research presentations: Provide a platform for students and emerging scientists to present innovative research related to aquaculture, offering an opportunity for feedback, learning, possible collaboration and follow-up support.
5. Ensure long-term impact through follow-up: Establish at least a one-year follow-up mechanism to track the progress of student award winners and showcase their contributions to the blue economy through AABS and WorldFish communication channels.

Expected outcomes:

• Enhanced awareness of AABS, sustainable aquaculture and IMTA solutions that address challenges.
• Practical insights for improving aquaculture productivity, reducing environmental impacts, and increasing resilience to climate change.
• New collaborations and partnerships fostered through discussions and networking.
• Recognition and support for emerging researchers, encouraging continued innovation in the field of sustainable aquaculture.
• Long-term impact through follow-up on student research contributions, ensuring their ideas lead to meaningful improvements in the blue economy.

09.40 AABS Project Presentation and Panel Discussion

• Introduction to AABS (15 minutes) – Leila Basti
  • Concise overview of AABS goal, objectives, strategy and expected outcomes, with greater focus on WP2 and WP3 in Africa.
  • Highlight the importance of nature-positive and climate-smart aquaculture solutions, specifically Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA).

Panel discussion

• Panelists: A selection of AABS project partners and experts. Suggested panelists:
  • Andrew Wekesa Wamukota - Head of the Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development at Pwani University in Kenya. He also serves as the Africa Regional Coordinator for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, focusing on environmental science, socioeconomics, and fisheries conservation
  • Ismael Aaron Kimirei – Director General, Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI)
  • P. Odote, Senior Scientist - Kenyan Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Postharvest Technologies.
  • Yahya Mgawe - He is ex-CEO of the FETA (Fisheries Education and Training Agency, Tanzania) and an Independent Consultant on Fisheries

Topics:

• Key challenges in improving aquaculture and IMTA, particularly for Africa.
• The role of AABS in addressing these challenges.
• Health management, innovations in sustainable feed, addressing postharvest challenges.
• Insights into implementing and scaling naturepositive and climate-smart practices.