Fisheries and aquaculture sectors play a significant social and nutritional role in the well-being of millions of Africans. Still, for lack of awareness of its importance, the fisheries sector is at risk because fish resources from natural sources such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and floodplains are rapidly approaching their limits.

Against this backdrop, the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD and the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) have convened a media training workshop from 9-12 November 2021. The workshop brings together the African media fraternity to increase their understanding and raise awareness on fisheries and aquaculture under the FishGov-2 project.

In his opening remarks, Dr Islam Seif, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development in Zanzibar, indicated that “This workshop will provide an opportunity for the meeting of minds, showcasing of experiences and opening of a regional and global dialogue on sustainable fisheries in Africa.”

Addressing the participants, Dr Clement Adjorolo, AUDA-NEPAD FishGov- 2 Project Manager, noted that the SDGs and Agenda 2063 vision is the basis for the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS). The PFRS facilitates the transformation of Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture for food, livelihoods, and wealth.

Dr Adjorlolo futher noted, “AUDA-NEPAD, guided by its mandate, is fully committed to working with media partners to advance effective communication and advocacy for sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors for ‘The Africa We Want,’” said.

At the continental level, AU-IBAR and AUDA-NEPAD work together to provide leadership on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, steering these sectors within the PFRS, including keeping the media across the continent well-informed regarding the governance of these important sectors.

The training workshop provided critical and accurate information for developing media reports on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Subsequently, Mrs. Patricia Mweene Lumba, AU-IBAR Senior Knowledge Management Officer, said that the AU-IBAR and AUDA-NEPAD avail themselves as partners to advance media information literacy alongside partners such the East African Community (EAC). AU-IBAR and its implementing partners of the Fisheries Governance 2 project are committed to investing and supporting science journalism in Africa.

Ms Hellen Moepi, an AU-IBAR Fisheries Officer, highlighted that the FishGov-2 project will partner with African Union Centres of Excellence, Regional Economic Communities, Regional Fisheries Bodies, and the continental networks. This partnership will ensure the effective implementation of key policy instruments and strategies in the sector.

The role of Regional Economic Communities cannot be downplayed as it sets a common voice in international trade and cooperation. Therefore, it was promising to note the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and EAC committing to support AUDA-NEPAD and AU-IBAR for greater awareness on Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Dr Motseki Hlatswayo from SADC said, “empowering journalists to create more public awareness on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and the meaningful impact they make on the livelihoods of Africans is significant”. Dr David Balikowa representing, the EAC,  highlighted that fisheries, aquaculture, and the blue economy are central to the socio-economic transformation of the EAC Region.

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About FishGov-2:

As a follow up of the first phase of the Fisheries Governance project (2018), the Fisheries Governance-2 Project (FishGov2) overall objective is to enhance the contribution of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture to the achievement of the African Union’s Agenda 2063’s goals, notably in terms of food security, livelihoods and wealth creation. FishGov-2 was launched in 2021. The FishGov-2 project is supported by the European Union and aims to:

1. Support evidence-based decision making on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture through improved knowledge, effective consultation, solid reporting, and the promotion of cross-sectoral approaches;
2. Promote the coherent implementation of the PFRS, facilitated at continental, regional, and national levels; and
3.  Strengthen African voice in international fora and domestication of global instruments.