Together with other key stakeholders, AU-IBAR has partnered to hold the 1st Regional Eastern Africa e-Conference on Aquaculture under the theme ‘Building a Sustainable Commercial Aquaculture Industry.’ The three-day conference scheduled from August 27-29, 2021, provides an excellent opportunity for the aquaculture stakeholders in the region to interact, establish linkages, share experiences, update themselves with trends and technology and identify new prospects in the industry.
One of the most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors in Eastern Africa is the aquaculture sector. It has transitioned from a smallholder subsistence activity into a promising agricultural enterprise supplying local and regional markets within the last twenty years.
This is as a result of policy changes, the adoption of new technology, and significant market potential. As a result, Eastern Africa now produces about 256,000 tons, and the scope for expansion and product diversification is tremendous as the region expounds to develop its Blue Economy.
Thus, this year’s e-conference aims to strengthen advances gained over the past two decades to create a resilient, sustainable commercial aquaculture industry that sets a mark globally for environmental sustainability, biosecurity, and quality assured competitive aquaculture products.
Several sub-themes have been lined up for discussion:
• Status of Aquaculture in Eastern Africa: Policy and Governance – discuss creating a conducive environment for sustainable growth and promote equity, youth and gender engagement, and sustainable livelihoods.
• Advances in technology to tap into new horizons – R&D in nutrition, genetics, and breeding, production systems, new species for aquaculture)
• Economic opportunities and Business Prospects – private-sector enterprises, finance, and economics
• Ecosystem management for sustainable aquaculture development – environmental management, biosecurity, public health, biodiversity, and climate change
• Regional collaboration for sustainable trans-boundary aquaculture development and trade – regional policies for aquaculture development and trade, collaborative research, farmer associations and networks.
•
In addition, there will be:
• A dedicated farmer’s session to disseminate Good Aquaculture Production Practices that will run concurrently with the main conference.
• A CPD training workshop on veterinary techniques in aquatic animal health for veterinarians and aquatic animal health specialists that will be conducted separately on the 11 September, 2021.
· Expected participants – aquaculture producers, industry actors, research and academia, policymakers, and development partners.
For registration and more information on the e-conference, access: https://aquaeaconf.org/
