Aquaculture in Africa / January update

People interested in joining a network on aquaculture in sub-saharan Africa, please consult http://www.sarnissa.org/. Disclaimer: This is not an extensive review of aquaculture in each country, this is a digest of the news about aquaculture in Africa released on Internet this month. The validity of any information or figures quoted is the responsibility of the individual newspapers and websites concerned. Also please check previous updates: August 2009, September 2009, October 2009, November 2009, December 2009.

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Africa

• Fish for Africa to lead the blue revolution in West Africa

Fish for Africa is a NGO aimed at supporting the development of aquaculture in west Africa. It is scientifically supported by University Laval (Quebec, Canada). Joanne Toms, Gabriel Koko, Grant Vandenberg, Paul Selesko and Simon Flamand are members of it. FFA will not be a producing center but rather a training and technology transfert center. It will own a pond for training purpose, but the objective is that small farmers have their own ponds. There will be a dormitory on the training school. According to Mr. Koko, this project is a priority of the Ghanean [64]. Please also look at “The long journey of a PhD project” under Togo section below.

• Global aquaculture sustainability standards completed for tilapia

The Tilapia Aquaculture Dialogue process has finalised global standards addressing the potential negative impacts of tilapia farming on the environment and society. They represent the first set of completed standards produced through the Aquaculture Dialogues, a series of roundtables coordinated by World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The standards were developed by a network of more than 200 people – including producers, conservationists and scientists – created in 2005 to help transform the aquaculture industry. The certification costs will be low compared to most certification programs because the standards focus on reducing a set number of key impacts instead of a long list of issues. The relatively low cost will make it easier for small- and large-scale producers to adopt the standards. The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), a new entity that will be in operation in 2011, will be responsible for working with independent, third party entities to certify farms that are in compliance with all of the standards created through the Aquaculture Dialogues process, including the tilapia standards. In the meantime, this role will be filled by GLOBALGAP, a private sector body that sets voluntary standards. The steering committee that managed the Dialogue process included representatives from Regal Springs Trading Company, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, New England Aquarium, Aquamar, Rain Forest Aquaculture and WWF. The standards will be amended over time to incorporate new science and to encourage continuous improvement on the farm. To read the standards and watch a video about them, go to the WWF's dedicated website [2].

• Lake Chad drying-up

Lake Chad was bigger than Israel less than 50 years ago. Today its surface area is less than a tenth of its earlier size, amid forecasts the lake could disappear altogether within 20 years. Climate change and overuse have put one of Africa's mightiest lakes in mortal danger, and the livelihoods of the 30 million people who depend on its waters is hanging by a thread as a result. An unprecedented crisis is looming that would create fresh hunger in a region already suffering grave food insecurity, and pose a massive threat to peace and stability, experts say. The lake, which shrank 90 percent between 1963 and 2001 from 25,000 square kilometres to under 1,500, is bordered by Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria. Four more countries, the Central African Republic, Algeria, Sudan and Libya, share the lake's hydrological basin and are therefore affected by its fortunes. Fishers have seen once massive catches frequently reduced to half-filled buckets. The FAO says the lake's fish production has fallen 60 percent, and the variety of fish caught has dramatically declined too [23] [28].

• Future wars could be fought over lakes, rivers

Water is one of the most sought after natural resources in Africa. Many wars, especially among pastoralist communities, have been fought over it while global warming and reckless human activity have taken a heavy toll on the continent’s major lakes in the past decades. A UNEP-produced Atlas of African Lakes shows the drastic depletion of the continent’s major water bodies by comparing and contrasting past satellite images with contemporary ones. Complicating matters further, some of the biggest natural lakes in Africa are usually spread across national borders, which means the responsibility of ensuring there is a sustainable usage of their waters is shared between nations. But more often than not there is a sort of scramble, with the countries involved selfishly trying to outdo each other in siphoning the lacustrine resources without giving much thought to a common and sustainable operating policy. Where agreements are drawn they are rarely honoured [60].

Algeria

• Fish farming suffering from lack of support

Fish farmers are complaining about the difficulties they are facing in their activity. This include the amount of the water and electricity bills, or pollution tax, whereas they are just starting to produce and they dug themselves the well. There is also the scarcity of fish meals, about which they wrote a letter requesting permit to import but did not receive any answer. They accuse the Agency in charge of Aquaculture (Sonelgaz) of not enforcing some benefits to which they are entitled [9].

• The Annaba region is very favorable to aquaculture

The Annaba region has 8 sites in which cages could be implemented for open-sea growing-out of fish. Shellfish (mussels and oysters) and crustacean aquaculture could also be developed and seminars aimed at attracting potential investors are scheduled. There is also a training component, with a school training in fishing and aquaculture that has undergone transformations ito increase its reception capacity. The school trains technicians in aquaculture, seamen and skippers [18].

• Two private farms will start their operation in 2010 in Ain Temouchent

Two private farms will be in operation during the first quarter of 2010 in the wilaya of Ain Temouchent, announced the Director of Fisheries and Fishery Resources Officer (CHRO), Mr. Djamel Taberkouket. The rate of progress of both projects has reached 90 for one and 95 percent for the other, he said. The first farm, created in Rachegoune (daïra of Oulhaca), will produce 600 tons / year of sea bass and sea breams. The second one, built in Sbiaat region (town of El Amri), will produce 1,000 tons / year of soles and 4 million fry [21].

• A new Institute of Technology for Aquaculture and Fishery products

The new Institute of Technology for Aquaculture and Fishery products is due to open soon in Bir El Djir, in the suburbs of Oran. Students will start working at the beginning of next academic year [33].

Angola

• IPA will continue to support the marine and inland fisheries

The director of the Institute of Artisanal Fishing and Aquaculture (IPA), Agostinho Caholo Duarte, said that his institution will continue to support the marine and inland fisheries in 2010. For aquaculture, he said the current challenge for the sector is to build a school in the province of Malanjge and some research and development units, and establish experimental stations for the propagation of some marine species [19].

Benin

• Songhai Center's success to be exported

Since 1985, the Songhai Center trains farmers in sustainable economy. A success which is exported. Promoted "center of excellence for agriculture" by the UN, the Songhai model will be replicated in twelve African countries, because it strives to provide the technology to farmers to enhance their food security and develops know-how on local autonomy, soil erosion prevention and fertilizer use. For example, chicken are kept in shelters on stilts to more easily collect the manure beneath the floor. Huddled under large palm branches, the wastes are used in the manufacture of compost used for crops home, or sold in bags of 50 kilos. Wastewater is recycled in ponds covered with water hyacinth, a plant that purifies water. Channels then carry clean water in the fish pond where thousands of fish are fed with crop residues. Afterwards, the hyacinths are collected. Mixed with animal excrement, they decompose and provide biogas used for furnaces [26].

• Solar-Powered Irrigation Significantly Improves Diet and Income in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa

Solar-powered drip irrigation systems significantly enhance household incomes and nutritional intake of villagers in arid sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new Stanford University study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The two-year study found that solar-powered pumps installed in remote villages in the West African nation of Benin were a cost-effective way of delivering much-needed irrigation water, particularly during the long dry season [43].

• The RENAPIB, National Network of Benin's Fish farming

Following a meeting hold in Agbangnizoum on January 19 at the Centre de Formation pour le Développement Communautaire (CEFODEC) of the ANDIA-ONG, fish farming stakeholders have finally reach a new step by creating the Réseau National des Pisciculteurs du Bénin (Renapib, National Network of Benin's Fish). The NGO CREDI-BENIN and its president Martial Koudérin, Agronomical Engineer, played a major role in this process [48] [49].

Burkina Faso

• A 5 billion FCFA loan from Abu Dhabi Fund to build a dam in Samendéni

Burkina Faso will re ceive a 5 billion francs CFA from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (FADD) to partially finance the proposed construction of a dam in Samendéni. The amount, payable in fifteen years, is accompanied by a delayed five years reimbursement. The dam aims at notably promote better management of water resources, intensify the agro-​pastoral production, produce electricity and benefit local people in the fight against poverty. Located 40 km from Bobo-​Dioulasso, Samendéni is the third largest dam in Burkina Faso after Ziga and Bagre (all located in the East). The cost of the first phase of the program is estimated at 119 million euros. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, its depth exceeds 15 m and allow annual fish production of 1 000 tonnes [35].

• Fish ready for cooking in Bagré

The Taiwan ambassador Zhang Ming-Zhong and the Secretary for National Commitments Christophe Ilboudo visited the first fish processing plant opened in Bagré. The investment amounted 130 millions F CFA and could employ, when fully operational 60 persons. It has the capacity of processing 3 tons of fish every day, as well as producing 3 tons of ice. It will permit to strenghthen other local investments, such as the Bagré fish farming project, created in 2004 through a Taiwan-Burkina Faso cooperation and required a 2.4 billions CFA investment [55] [56] [59].

• A project to reduce fish imports

The project "Promoting rural development through sustainable aquaculture in Burkina Faso" has just been launched. With a total amount of 355 089 000 CFA francs, the project is the fruit of cooperation between Burkina faso and Japan and it will cover five regions: the Cascades, High-Basins, Western, Central and South East regions [69].

Cameroon

• Cameroon is looking to increase aquaculture production to reduce imports of fish

With more than 1,000 fish species recorded in its waters and a potential production estimated at 170,000 tons per year, the aquaculture industry, long neglected in Cameroon, should help the country to reduce the volume of imported fish, valued at 125,000 tonnes per year. A forum on aquaculture was recently opened by the Cameroonian Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Aboubakari Sarki. In Cameroon, the aquaculture industry remains at a subsistence level, due to the lack of appropriate policies and development strategies. With an annual production of 5,000 tons, it contributes only 0.1% to food security, according to Steve Sulem, researcher responsible for monitoring scientific activities at the Institute for Agricultural Research for Development of Cameroon (IRAD). In terms of job creation, this sector is below the artisanal marine fishery (65,000 tonnes per year) which provides, according to Cameroonian authorities, 65,000 direct jobs and 135 000 indirects. Owner of 5 ponds, Mauritius Noupimbong, fish farmers in Bafoussam Bapi district, in western Cameroon said that the establishment of a fish pond of 400 m2 can return to 200,000 CFA francs (about 400 USD). Two farmers said they have received a grant of one million CFA francs (about 2,000 U.S. dollars) from the state, but others did not. A plan to boost production of the sector, developed by the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries in collaboration with IRAD and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was validated last December 17. It plans to meet local demand for aquaculture products, create employment opportunities in urban and rural areas, improve and strengthen the management of existing natural resources. To succeed, it proposes to identify areas with high aquaculture potential existing in Cameroon, to differentiate commercial and subsistence aquaculture, to train officers for the popularization of aquaculture techniques and to redefine the roles of government and private sector for the development of this activity. Moreover, the Cameroonian government has built three pilot farms rearing fish in recirculated closed loop in Yaoundé, Douala and Mbengwi Region [10] [20] [25] [29] [32].

• Visiting Minister announces the disbursement of CFA 620 million for North West Livestock farmers

The visiting Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Dr Aboubakar Sarki has challenged collaborators in the North West to be creative and attentive to the request of stock breeders, fishermen, fish breeders and feed millers to sustain government's commitment to ensure that the nation becomes less dependent on food and fish products from abroad. The North West features in the front seat of livestock and fish production in Cameroon and it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to maximize potentials in a bid to increase animal and fish production in Cameroon and consolidate food security [40].

• Lagdo: a ice plant offered to fishermen

The Cameroonese government offered to Lagdo population an ice plant that will locally help improve fish preservation. The total value of the investment in 50 millions F CFA and it is the fourth of its type, after the units implemented in Mbakaoua (Adamaoua region), Mapé (Western region) and Mouanko (Coastal region). A training on operating the unit was also organized for the beneficiaries [47].

Congo (Democratic Republic)

• N'Sele farm's production put on Kinshasa market

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock has put at the disposal of the Kinshasa population, very large quantities rice and broilers bags, locally produced at the N'Sele farm (former DAIPN: Presidential Agro-Industrial Area of N'Sele). In a few days, it will provide fish produced on the fish farming section of the farm [7].

• Osio prison permits to prisoners to become farmers

The Osio prison has only 152 inmates, all men, for a capacity of 1,500 people. It was built in 1952 in the heart of a small forest. With its white buildings in disrepair, some cells are abandoned after being destroyed during various rebellions that have raged in Kisangani from 1996 to 2002. But the prison was able to reclaim a vast area of 3 km2, turning it into a learning center where some inmates can be trained on agriculture, brick manufacture, palm oil processing and in the near future, fish farming and bakery [12].

Egypt

• Fishing in the sewer

Pollution and overfishing have decimated Nile fish stocks according to fishermen. "The river is basically Egypt's sewer and I wouldn't eat anything living in it" says Mona Radwan, a marketing agent who lives in an upscale Cairo neighbourhood. "Many Egyptians eat fish from the Nile because they are too poor to afford meat or chicken". "With human waste, the principal concern is parasite and disease cycles, but I don't think there's much evidence to show that fish feeding (on sewage) pose a risk to human health, particularly if the fish are cooked properly before they are eaten" says Malcolm Beveridge of the Malaysia-based WorldFish Centre. "A bigger concern might be industrial and agricultural wastes, especially heavy metals and toxic pesticides". Among the highest at risk are the 15,000 fishermen who drink, bathe in, and eat fish from the Nile. Many suffer from kidney problems, skin irritations and bilharzia, a water-borne parasite. Officials, however, insist the river's productivity is higher than ever. Beveridge says the Nile's fish population declined sharply after completion of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, but has rebounded in recent years."Studies have shown that fish production collapsed in the second half of the 1960s, because the dam trapped organically rich sediment that the delta, and indeed large areas of the eastern Mediterranean, were dependent upon for fish productivity" he told IPS. "But then something very peculiar happened. In the 1980s fish production began to increase again, and today yields are higher than they were before the high dam's construction". A team of U.S. and Egyptian researchers found that the massive dumping of sewage and fertilisers into the river had increased concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous in the water, stimulating fish growth. In a study published last January in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they concluded that these anthropogenic nutrients had offset the river's organic nutrient loss, contributing to a three-fold increase in fish landings over pre- dam levels [39].

Equatorial Guinea

• Equatorial Guinea: diversifying sources of income in 2010

The Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema called for the diversification of income sources of his country, which derives more than 90% of its revenues from the exploitation of hydrocarbons. "We can not focus the development of our country only on the permanent use of natural resources," said Obiang Nguema in this speech. "We must diversify our economy by promoting agriculture, livestock, tourism, fish farming, commerce," he added, but without referring to any plan or funding [13].

Ghana

• The Ministry of Fisheries has successfully concluded a 10 month pond feeding trials

The Ministry of Fisheries has successfully concluded a 10 month pond feeding trials with all male tilapia at the Aquaculture Adaptive Trials Centre at Nkawie in the Ashanti region, and has subsequently identified pelletized feed as most suitable for commercial aquaculture production. The all male tilapia exhibited excellent growth from five grammes to an average of 500 grammes over the 10month period when they were fed on Raanan pelletized fish feed imported from Israel by Dizengoff Ghana Limited. At a field demonstration on the production of the all male tilapia using the pelletized feed at Nkawie last week, Mr Emmanuel Nii Aryee, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ministry of Fisheries said the move was a major success in the Ministry’s quest in promoting aquaculture. The Ministry of Fisheries thus entered into an agreement with Luye Fisheries in China for assistance in the production of male tilapia fingerlings for distribution to fish farmers in Ghana. Consequently, the Ministry allocated the Aquaculture Adaptive Trials Centre at Nkawie in the Atwima District of Ashanti to be used as a pilot station for the development of what they termed, the Super Male Tilapia in the country [36].

Guinea

• Extensive fish farming in Forest Guinea

A development project entitled "Extensive fish farming in Forest Guinea", under the direction of Dr. H. Saurin (IRD) has been achieved using jointly rice cultivation and fish farming, the technique of rice-fish farming. The results of this project has highlighted the benefits in terms food economic, social, environmental and institutional. The text describes the nature of these benefits, the illustrations show some aspects of the technique [37].

• Fish farming in Forest Guinea

An APDRA project with refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia has been conducted in Forest Guinea. It came after a Veterinaires sans Frontières post-urgency project (funded by UN-HCR), not even mentionned in the APDRA document, that strongly supported the implication of APDRA and launching of its project. The role the refugees played in the rural development of their own country highlights the skills and knowledge they acquired in migration: they promote fish farming innovation among local populations. They also support and endorse changes: in land access or introduction of interesting practices for example [38].

Ivory Coast

• FAO to give 110 millions CFA to support Fisheries in Ivory Coast

The FAO will support Fisheries in Ivory Coast. On December 31, 2010, the minister of Animal Production and Aquatic Resource, Dr Alphonse Douati, signed two documents. the first one is capacity building of youth and women on crab fishery in Aby lagoon, the second one aimes at supporting thje Fisheries Committee of Central-Western Guinea Gulf (Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Togo) [17].

• Young farmers start aquaculture in Grand Bassam

Putting into practice the aquaculture training conducted last september in Grand Bassam, several young farmers have implemented their fish ponds and pens. They are from the villages Mondoukou, Mossou and Grephab. The size of the structures are about 50m2 for machoirons (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) and 50m2 for tilapias. The training was conducted by specialists from the University of Igouminista (Greece), ijn partnership with fundation Action Grecque en Afrique, chaired the General Consul of Ivory Coast in Greece, Ms. Méro Kececioglu Kylicas [24].

Kenya

• Sh4bn fish farming plan

Plans are under way to roll out a fish farming project at the coast at a cost of Sh4 billion. The project will be carried out in constituencies on Kenya’s coastline. Fisheries Development minister Dr Paul Otuoma said his ministry had received Sh1.12 billion to support fish farming in the country. “Some 140 constituencies have been allocated Sh8 million each to support construction of 200 ponds per constituency to increase fish production in the country” he said. He added the areas suitable for fish farming cover over 1.14 million hectares and if the potential is fully exploited production could be increased to 11 million tonnes per annum earning Sh750 billion. The minister said the introduction of aquaculture will ease conflicts in Lake Victoria between Kenyan fishermen and Ugandan authorities, since the recurrent tension was due to scramble for limited fish in Lake Victoria. Fish production in Lake Victoria has declined by nearly half in the past one decade from 200,000 metric tonnes in 1999 to 114,000 metric tonnes in 2008 and there is no signs of fishery recovering in the near future. Meanwhile, the Government has set aside Sh10 million for the construction of more than 800 fish ponds in four constituencies of Naivasha, Molo, Kuresoi and Subukia. At least 200 ponds will be built in each constituency. The ponds will be built at individual farms, under the Economic Stimulus programme, but one of the ponds will be built at a public facility for demonstration purposes [46].

• Dominion Farms Response to Business Week article

Calvin Burgess, CEO of Dominion Farms Ltd considers that the Business Week Magazine article published around November 28th contains inaccuracies and sent an answer. He feels like the journalist used the magazine as an opportunity to promote her views instead of describing his company's experience. For more details, please consult [51].

Malawi

• Aquaculture Initiative Gives Cause for Quiet Hope

Following the start of commercial fishing on lake Malawi, the annual catch of chambo plunged, from 3,250 tonnes in 1985 to 207 tonnes in 2002. Government was eventually forced to put a stop to the commercial operations. The Maldeco Aquaculture company was established in 2003 to build up chambo stocks through aquaculture - and Tom Shipton of Enviro-Fish Africa (a consulting firm based in Grahamstown, South Africa) hired as a technical advisor to the project. Initially Malawians hired a European consultancy to come down and do the assessments . It was a big project and they were planning on building 12 or 16 of these 12 metre cages, 10 metres deep. They had taken the technology for Oreochromis niloticus (the Nile tilapia) and had assumed that it was the same for this new species (the chambo, for which the scientific name is Oreochromis karongae), but they are very different species. The Oreochromis karongae has a very different kind of breeding behaviour. It also grows a lot slower than the niloticus, probably about a third slower. The shiranus, the other species that just got into the cages, actually grows a lot faster. But with the shiranus you get the males growing very fast and the females going into precocious breeding. The main constraints are feed availability and human resources. There are very few people in Malawi who have got the educational level to actually operate hatchery systems and be great admin managers [65].

Mali

• The Minister of Livestock and Fisheries visited the Office of the Upper Valley of Niger

Under the proposed fisheries and fish farming development project by the Office of the Upper Valley of Niger, Mrs. Madeleine Ba Diallo, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, conducted on December 28, 2009, in Koulikoro, various activities and distribution of equipments to fishermen. She also thanked the Japanese government for supporting the Fisheries sector, through its funding on non-repayable grants. She recalled concrete actions that have been undertaken under their project, which include: development and stocking of 18 ponds, construction of 6 warehouses and 3 stores, construction of 7 fish ponds equipped with pumps and a hatchery, acquisition of refrigeration equipment [3] [8].

• The ALG will focus its action on priorities

The 2010 budget of the Development Authority for the Integrated Region Liptako-Gourma (ALG) has been adopted in revenue and expenditure at 392.7 million CFA. The contribution of each member state stood at just over 99 million CFA francs. The 47th Ordinary Session of the ALG will be held during the fourth quarter of 2010 in Niger. These different decisions have sanctioned the work of the 46th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the subregional organization held Thursday in Bamako at the Hotel El Farouk Laico. The Development Authority for the Integrated Region Liptako-Gourma (ALG) is a tripartite cooperation between three neighboring countries: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Its headquarters are in Ouagadougou. The Liptako is an area that covers the border Burkina / Niger, which was settled in the 19th century by the Fulani Liptako kingdom. The Gourma is the right bank of the bend of the Niger River in Mali. The Liptako-Gourma covers an area of 370,000 km2. The ALG's mission is to promote the harmonious and integrated development of the region Liptako Gourma by the development and exchange within a regional framework on mining, energy, water, agriculture, livestock and fisheries [14].

• Local communities combat desertification in Mali's Lake Faguibine region

The Lake Faguibine region in Northern Mali was once a thriving water system. Communities were built around the source, with agricultural and pastoral lifestyles dependent on the natural resource. However in the past hundred years the lake has experienced fluctuations of drought, completely drying up in 1914, 1924 and 1944, and remaining at drastically low levels since the 1970s. Now surviving communities are fighting back and working to restore the ecosystem so they can return to their normal, fruitful lives. Since 2002, villages have mobilized to clear channels and enable the lake to fill again. In 2006 the Malian government created l'Office pour la Mise en Valeur du Faguibine (OMVF) to support the local response in addressing desertification in the region [31].

• Minister of Livestock and Fisheries want to pursue 2009 activities in 2010

In the field of Fisheries, many facilities have been completed such as a 12 ponds fish farm in Toya, region of Timbuktu, ponds in Koulikoro, Sikasso and Segou or the construction of fish processing plants in Diafarabé fish, Akka and Niafunké. One hundred and fifty lakes have been stocked. Fish production was estimated at 151,000 tons. The quantity of processed fish was 17,873.072 tonnes. According to the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Ms. Diallo Madeleine BA, 2010 will be the year of continuying 2009 activities and opening new ones [34].

Mayotte

• The marine sanctuary and aquaculture development project under critics

On the occasion of the visit of the French President, M. Sarkozy, the Fisherman Pierre Baubet expressed critics in the National newspaper "Le Monde" about the creation of the Mayotte Marine Sanctuary and aquaculture development project. According to him, local beaches are polluted and wastewater treatment units are not efficient [30].

• The fish farming Mayotte Aquaculture and its leader Yann Perrot, received President Sarkozy

The company relies on Aquamay hatchery, run by Dominique Marot, and produces 150 tonnes per year of farmed fish (red drum, cobia, sea bream). Yann Perrot and his staff have explained to Nicolas Sarkozy that the growing out of juveniles ranged from 45 to 65 days before they can be delivered to Hajangoua aquaculture companies [54].

• Nicolas Sarkozy mentions aquaculture in his speech

“I just signed the decree establishing the marine park of Mayotte. I know it raises some concern, particularly for the stakeholders. But what I want to say is very simple: the lagoon of Mayotte is the wealth of Mayotte, it will not be an untouchable sanctuary. If I wanted to sign the decree constituting the marine park within the premises of an aquaculture industry, it is because I believe that sustainable development and economic development are not antagonistic but rather complementary. Therefore, besides, we'll go even further than what was originally planned around the marine park by implementing a major plan to reduce sewage discharge into the lagoon. We will spend almost 100 million EUR by 2015 to clean up effluent sewage into sea. I know that the aquaculture industry of Mayotte is now the largest of all overseas territories. But we can go even further, giving ourselves the objective of producing 1,000 tons of fish annually by 2015, instead of the current 140 tons. To achieve this, the state will allocate 5 million EUR for the development of the aquaculture industry in Mayotte” [53].

Namibia

• China will support Namibia's fisheries and aquaculture

A Chinese delegation led by Vice-Minister for Agriculture met in Windhoek the Namibian Minister for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Dr Abraham Iyambo. Discussions were about food security and bilateral cooperation. Dr Iyambo declared that Namibia « needs assistance for Aquaculture and Fisheries development ». « We need Namibians to be trained on surveillance and equipments for monitoring so that we can make sure that there is not toxin in water », he added. Mr. Iyambo called Chinese minister to send technical consultant to help Namibian with aquaculture and fish farms [58].

Niger

• Moussa Adamou Farié elected president of the Fishermen's Association of Niger

The Fishermen's Association of Niger (AFN) held in Niamey its General Assembly. At the end, the Fishermen's Association of Niger elected its new President, Moussa Adamou Farié. In his speech, he noted the importance of knowledge developed by fishermen to adapt to climate change, which includes the practice of fish farming. Therefore, he requested the support of governments and partners to benefit from fish farming to assist fishermen in their efforts to adapt to climate variability and fight against poverty [15].

Nigeria

• Catfish Culture in Nigeria: Progress, Prospects and Problems

Catfishes of the family Claridae comprise the most commonly cultivated fishes in Nigeria. The growth of aquaculture in Nigeria now is largely being boosted by a steady rise in catfish culture. Since the culture of Clarias gariepinus through hypophysation was initiated in Western Nigeria in 1973, the procedure has been widely practiced throughout Nigeria thus leading to increase of farm-raised catfishes from the 80’s to date. The favoured catfish species in Nigeria aquaculture include: Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Clarias X Heterobranchus hybrid (Heteroclarias) and Clarias nigrodigitatus. Heterobranchus sp. is the more commonly cultured fish in the South Eastern parts of Nigeria [1].

• Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) calls for total abolition of custom duties on imported fish feeds and fish farm facilities

The President of FISON, Mrs Foluke Areola said the cost of imported floating feeds and fish farm equipment were still high, adding that the local feeds which did not also come cheap were sometimes contaminated and sub-standard. According to Areola, all these challenges combine to make production cost very high. She said that appropriate pricing and reduction of operating cost were keys to sustainability of fish farming business in Nigeria. Areola urged more people to invest in the production of fish feeds locally to mitigate the current problems being faced by fish farmers. She said the society would encourage investors to use locally available materials to reduce the production cost and cost of feeds [41].

• N10 Billion Invested in Catfish Production in 2009

The Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN) said that N10 billion was invested in catfish production in 2009. Quoting statistics from government sources, Akinbolagun, the Association's president, said the investment raised more than 160,000 tonnes of catfish and a return of about N24 billion. He said that in spite of steady improvement in aquaculture, the government still needed to do more by creating an enabling environment for the sub-sector to thrive. The president pledged that the association would take the issue of marketing and pricing as its priority this year. He urged the Federal Government to allocate space at the headquarters of each local government council where farmers could sell catfish directly to consumers at controlled prices. On fish feeds, Akinbolagun said the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) had started producing pelletised, floating and extruded feeds, which were sold at low cost to fish farmers [44].

• Citizens Spend U.S.$500 Million Yearly On Frozen Fish

Professor A. O. Ayinla, an expert from Nigeria Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos, has said that Nigeria spends over $500 million on importation of frozen fish annually due to the growing demand for fish consumption in Nigeria. Ayinla, the executive director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Victoria Island, Lagos, disclosed this at a workshop for fish farmers in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. The workshop was organised and sponsored by Delta State Government through Delta Micro Credit programme. Ayinla said the importance of fish farming cannot be over emphasised because of its high consumption in Nigeria and urged fish farmers to double their effort in providing fish for the public, stressing that fish farming is profit-oriented. Uvwie council was chosen as the venue for the course because the area has become the benchmark for aquaculture in the state and Nigeria, adding that presently the United Fish Farmers in Uvwie has 800 fish farmers with 2,000 fish pounds, which earned them empowerment through micro credit facility [45].

Reunion

• "Don't Touch fish in the Grand Etang"

Nourry Rico, President of the Association Cavaliers Randonneurs of Grand Etang strongly opposes the project to drain the pond in order to remove its exotic fish [27].

• Driving car using microalgae oil, soon a reality in Reunion

This year will begin the construction of the first unit for production of microalgae using wastewater. Tests of this fuel of the future will begin in a few months. Three partners behind are the creation the company Bioalgostral, that firmly believe in the future and feasibility of their technique. They expect to produce a hundred litter of biofuel made from green micro-algae (for diesel) this year [50].

Senegal

• Serigne Abo Mbacke, a leader in aquaculture promotion

Of all private initiatives in aquaculture, the one of the marabout Serigne Abo Mbacke is certainly the most interesting considering the extent of his pond, which already reached its first harvest. The son of Serigne Mbacke Sokhan Lo, has invested about two years in operating it. An effort which required a heavy investment to develop a comprehensive land bequeathed by his father, where he had initiated the cultivation of sesame in partnership with Egyptian engineers. Positioning himself as the leader of aquaculture in Ross-Béthio where his father had 100 ha of land, Serigne Abo is looking for new options for the country's economic development. ''For me, aquaculture has been a great discovery, and if a''Baol-Baol'' (Someone from Baol region) was allowed to talk about fish, it's because the National Aquaculture Agency has well trained us'. Serigne Abo, who is convinced that aquaculture is a sector where the risk is minimal, asks the authorities to extend its science to the country to help people solve the problem of poverty and diet. The Permanent Secretary of the Growth Strategy (CDS), Ibrahima Wade, said he was very proud of the involvement of the religious leader in this venture, noting that he believes it will serve as examples to others in an environment marked by the scarcity of fish resources [5].

• The rapid growth strategy bets on aquaculture development

After an important visit of three days in the north of Senegal, the permanent secretary of the Accelerated Growth Strategy (SCA), Ibrahima Wade, did not hide his satisfaction with the role that aquaculture can play in part of the fight against poverty, improving people's incomes and making them available to animal protein. Accompanied by senators, deputies, social and economic advisers and officials of the National Agency for Aquaculture (ANA), professionals in the sector of artisanal fisheries and private operators, Ibrahima Wade visited farms and private community, and a nursery farm and a factory for fish feed, coupled with a center of research on the sector. During the tour, the parliamentarians unanimously expressed the need to support the development of aquaculture, which stagnated in the northern region and across the country, with some recommendations for its permanent installation in the process development. In St. Louis to report on the experiences gained in the field of a cluster of fishing and aquaculture adopted by the SCA, Ibrahima Wade spoke in favor of opening a branch in the region "to cover the 'north'. The director of the National Aquaculture (ANA), Amath Wade estimated six billion the amount required to install our country irreversibly into the era of aquaculture. The agency's budget has dropped from 1 billion 300 million to 300 million and should be revised upwards for the development of aquaculture is in the process of appropriation by the people supervised by technicians Ana. The example of women in Ziguinchor, which recently won first prize in an international contest on the oyster, held in Spain, illustrates the predispositions of the country with seven coastal regions. The technical director of the ANA announced at the end of the visit, the imminent start of a breeding center for white grouper in Mbour in 2010. This center will be a breeding ground for stocking Senegalese waters with "thiof" and shrimp. The unit will be achieved through cooperation Korea (KOICA). The structure, important in many respects, will reinforce the goal of producing 23 000 tonnes of fish from shore in 2010 and 150,000 tonnes by 2015. "The potential exists for more farms, our country has thousands of natural outlets, which may play a role in the field of aquaculture," said Badiane [6] [11] [16] [22].

• An Aquaculture workshop in Saint Louis

A workshop has been organized in Saint Louis to promote aquaculture. In the past, Senegalese used to eat 35 kg/capita/year, now only 22. The objective of the country is to revert the trend by developing aquaculture. The director of the National Aquaculture Agency, Amath Wade said it is important to identify places that can sustain the activity. As of today, two areas are practicing aquaculture but the target is 12. The project will benefit from Korean cooperation and FAO support [62] [63] [66] [67].

Tanzania

• Agreement signed between China and Tanzania

Tanzania and China have just signed a 3 years agreement after which, Chinese investors will be given access to investment in aquaculture. It is expected that it might promote a 1.6% increase of the contribution of aquaculture to GNP. Agreement might be extended every 5 years [52] [57].

Togo

• The long journey of a PhD project

At University Laval (Quebec, Canada), a small team created Fish for Africa, an organization created to fight malnutrition and poverty by teaching Africans how to raise fish. Fish for Africa (FFA) is initially the idea of Gabriel Koko, who holds a bachelor of integrated rural development, a degree in veterinary medicine and who is doing a doctorate in aquaculture with Grant Vandenberg, Professor at the Faculty of Animal Science, specialist of feed in fish farming. This PhD project could lead to the creation of an international organization to promote and teach aquaculture to farmers of West Africa. Grant Vandenberg belongs to the small English community in Quebec, where almost everyone knows everyone. The researcher, spoke of Gabriel Koko's ideas with friends, including Paul Selesko, a jovial, dynamic and French fluent American citizen. Mr. Selesko wasted no time. His great-great-grandfather made his fortune and with its share of the estate, Paul's mother had created a foundation to support charities. Now, Paul and his sister are the leaders and they support the project. But there was a problem: the Donald Barrie & Selesko Foundation can contribute only to U.S. charities. Paul has appealed to another community member, lawyer Stephen Clarke, to find a solution. With the help of Mr. Clark, they created The Fish for Africa Fund, a company based in Oklahoma City. With money from the foundation, Gabriel Koko could go on the field in 2009, laying the foundations of the organization, establish partnerships with departments of Ghana and Togo, and equip a headquarters in Ghana. Besides Selesko Paul and Stephen Clarke, the FFA team is fortunate to have the services Éco7, a new international development agency involving Joanne Toms and Simon Fleming. The two took care of technical details and project practices. "We want to approach international bodies," said Joanne Toms. We do not think just foundations but also to large agricultural and aquaculture enterprises to find partners and global sponsors. We are ready to act! ". Gabriel Koko is now back in Africa where he continues to put the project on track, to find him a water and land where to build a school [68].

Tunisia

• Fisheries and Aquaculture: The Phantom Menace!

FAO has set an alarm on the innumerable risks of climate change for fisheries and aquaculture worldwide. The marine capture fisheries, already facing multiple issues related to overfishing, habitat loss and development gaps, are poorly placed to cope with new problems arising from climate change, according to a new study of this organization international member of the UN. It is said in the report that small island developing states, which depend on fisheries and aquaculture for at least 50% of their protein intake from animal-are in a particularly vulnerable position and Inland Fisheries -which 90 percent are performed in Africa and Asia are also at risk, threatening the food supply and livelihoods of some of the poorest in the world. Global warming in Africa and Central Asia should be above the world average, and forecasts suggest that 25% of continental aquatic ecosystems of Africa will experience significant negative impacts by 2100 [4].

Uganda

• EAC Fish Farmers Meet for Annual Symposium

Fish farmers from Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and the United States of America have met in Kampala for the annual fish farmers' symposium and trade fair. The meeting that has attracted the region's fish farming experts discussed the challenges affecting the sector as well as transforming it from subsistence to commercial trade. Speaking to The New Times, the chairman of the forum's organizing committee, Peter Ssebinyansi, said that the forum will successively help East African farmers advocate for positive policies on how to development the sector. Speaking at the forum opening Uganda's State Minister for Fisheries, Fred Mukisa challenged participants to address the challenges that face fish farming in the region like the quality of fish feed, lack of quality fishing methods as well as insufficient technical knowledge and lack of government support to boost the fishing industry [42].

• 30 million EUR as credit for Ugandan SMEs

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is setting up a fund of 30 million EUR as credit for Ugandan SMEs, which will transit through local banks [61].

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