December 02, 2024

Africa: A Potential Leader in Global Aquaculture Growth

I have just returned from AFRAQ 2024 in Hammamet Tunisia. What an outstanding meeting. I was inspired by the number of participants and all the different countries represented. There were over 1200 attendees representing more than 70 countries. Fifty-five quality exhibitors provided information on the latest products and technology. Other booths highlighted great projects involving numerous countries. The program committee pulled together an interesting program representing farms, research institutions, NGO’s, government agencies and more. We owe special thanks to all of the sponsors and organizers including conference chair Nadia Cherif, the entire steering and national organizing committee, program chairs, Peter Britz, Judith Makumbo and Nevine Abou Shabana, the African Chapter Executive Officer, Blessing Mapfumo, and the entire African Chapter Board. It goes without saying (but we should thank them more often) that the conference management team did a stellar job organizing the event. The student workers (and presenters) showed great enthusiasm and competence and should give us confidence in the next generation of aquaculture professionals.

I have been a WAS member for over 30 years, and it has been exciting to see the growth and enthusiasm present at this meeting. In just 5 short years the African chapter has rapidly matured, and I am sure there are many more great meetings in store for the future including the WAS global meeting next June in Uganda.

Aquaculture producers in Africa experience similar challenges to practitioners around the world but often more acutely, particularly in rural areas. Limited access to capital, quality fish feed and fingerlings, and inadequate training and technical knowledge are but a few. Despite these challenges they press forward and do their best with what is available. Numerous NGOs and other cooperative agency programs contributed to the meeting, demonstrating their commitment to developing resources and empowering the people in up-and-coming aquaculture areas. There is no question that with all of Africa’s natural resources and dedicated people it can become not just a participant in global aquaculture growth but a potential leader.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our next meeting, Aquaculture 2025, to be held in New Orleans, LA, USA. This meeting, with the theme “Innovation Through Technology” promises to be one of our biggest as it combines the annual meetings of the United States Chapter of WAS, the National Shellfisheries Association, the Fish Culture section of the American Fisheries Society, the National Aquaculture Association, the World Aquaculture Society and a host of other professional aquaculture and species-focused groups.
David Cline, President, World Aquaculture Society

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About David Cline

President, World Aquaculture Society

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