Aquaculture in Africa / March update

Sorry for the shortest update this month: I have been moving from the Philippines to France and tremendously lacked time...

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, January 2010, February 2010.

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World

• Safe, Sustainable, Traceable Tilapia

Regal Springs Tilapia is the world’s largest producer and importer of Tilapia fillets to the United States. The company started as a small venture in the early 1990’s surrounded by clear spring waters in Central Java, Indonesia, and grew to be the industry leader and innovator, with production sites across Northwest Honduras, Indonesia and Mexico. Regal Springs Tilapia is a vertical integrated company, controlling all aspects of the aquaculture and distribution process. Every production step can be traced back to Regal, where quality and safety is number one priority. Having full control over the process also allows keeping their fish competitively priced. As a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) steering committee on tilapia standards, Regal Springs worked to reach a consensus with 150 other stakeholders, including a group of tilapia producers, seafood buyers and non-profit organizations to draft the standards. Regal Springs Tilapia has been actively involved with WWF global standards to certify the responsible farming of tilapia, playing a crucial role in the four-year effort to establish these new guidelines, the gold standard for tilapia certification. The company is HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System) certified and do not use carbon monoxide. Free of additives, preservatives, growth hormones and antibiotics, Regal Springs offers pure, white tilapia from the clear waters of nature. Regal is also BRC (British Retalil Consortium) and Naturland organic certified [3].

• Abalone Aquaculture Dialogue Draft Standards

The first public comment period for the draft standards for abalone aquaculture began March 1, 2010. This is the first of two 60-day public comment periods. The final standards will help minimize the potential negative environmental and social impacts associated with abalone aquaculture. The draft standards are the product of the Abalone Aquaculture Dialogue, a roundtable created in 2008 that includes more than 100 producers, conservationists, scientists, and others. The roundtable is coordinated by WWF [4].

• Europe wants to develop aquaculture in the EU

Aquaculture represents an interesting alternative to intensive fishing and the issue of quotas. Convinced of the overall virtues of this approach, the EU will soon set a more ambitious policy in this area with particular emphasis on a stronger political support, clearer rules and greater transparency in labeling.For the European Parliament, aquaculture can help meet the growing demand for fish without harm to the environment "but to succeed, aquaculture must" ensure the quality and receive political support. Representatives of fish farmers stress the need for "political will" and "clear rules and fair" and "a reliable labeling system. Europe consumes annually more than 5 million tonnes of aquaculture products, while its production does not even reach 1 million tons, said Italian MEP Guido Milana. The European Parliament stresses that aquaculture suffers from a poor image, often justified, but also a breach of this relatively new economic sector. One of the main concerns is its environmental sustainability. Lourido Fernando Otero, director of the association of producers of turbot Galicia, indicated that fish farming can be a fully sustainable. Following a comment by Guido Milana that consumers only know the Asian imported Pangasius under the form of fillets and know nothing about the origin, the British Struan Stevenson regretted that the World Trade Organization gives no importance to animal welfare. "The only way to deal is to educate consumers," he said. The MPs also questioned as to whether one could speak of sustainable aquaculture given the quantities of fish caught to feed farmed fish. In response to MP Isabella Lövin on the opportunity to offer the consumer more fish 'herbivores, such as carp or tilapia, Dawn Purchase indicates that retailers have difficulty in convincing consumers to consume these fish, at least in the United Kingdom. However, their preparation by chefs of haute cuisine could boost demand, he added [8].

• Aquaculture charity dinner raises $12k for world’s poor

A fundraising dinner held by Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF) last week raised a total of US$11,680 for the global charity’s work. On March 3, at the World Aquaculture Society’s Aquaculture 2010 Conference of in San Diego, more than 50 people sat down for a simple meal of fish, rice, bread, a vegetable and water during an event called, “An Evening for the World's Poor”. Introduced by Michael New, the founder of AwF, co-chairs Barry Costa-Pierce and M. C. Nandeesha spoke about the goals and impact of the work of this NGO in teaching the rural poor in developing countries to grow fish in small-scale aquaculture for family food and income. This was followed by video clips from three of AwF's projects – AwF-Bishramganj (Tripura, India), AwF-Toleo Foundation (Sunderbans, India) and AwF-Nepal – and statements of support from representatives of some of the major sponsors. The event was supported by Biomin (diamond sponsor); Novus International, Rhode Island Sea Grant and the World Aquaculture Society (gold sponsors); John Halver and the United States Aquaculture Society (silver sponsors); Geoff Allan, Asian Fisheries Society, John & Mary Cooksey, John Corbin, Barry Costa-Pierce family, Matthew Ferrel, Kevin Hopkins family, the Korean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society, David A. Lindsey and Panorama Acuicola (bronze sponsors) [19].

• Tilapia entrails churn out biodiesel

The Ceara Nucleus Foundation of Industrial Technology (NUTEC) is moving forward with a project that will transform it into a pioneer in the research of biodiesel production from tilapia entrails. For Fernando Pedro Dias, a researcher at NUTEC, the advantage in producing this type of biodiesel is that it does not depend on the use of byproducts apt for food production, but rather on fish discards. Within the framework of this project, the Biodiesel Reference Laboratory (LARBIO) is in charge of gathering, storing and producing the biodiesel. According to the experts, the only obstacle in producing this type of biofuel is the approval of the Biopeixe Project, necessary for the financing of the construction of a factory to extract fish oil from the entrails of fish. According to LARBIO coordinator Jackson Malveira, the project was sent to the Northeast Bank of Brazil and it is in the phase of analysis. An investment of BRL 500,000 is proposed (USD 278,000) to carry out the research and launch of the initiative, by part of the Funding Entity of Studies and Projects (FINEP). A similar amount will be financed by the Government of Ceara, in an effort to facilitate the project’s set up [28].

• Inland aquaculture : Giant Prawn 2011

Giant Prawn 2011 will be held as a component of next year's Asian-Pacific Aquaculture 2011 conference, 17-20 January, in Kochi, India. Giant Prawn 2011 will be a landmark opportunity to review the status of freshwater prawn farming worldwide and discuss the future of this $2 billion industry. The meeting will include field trips to freshwater prawn farming sites on 21-22 January [31].

Algeria

• Aquaculture: 10 million dinars for Sidi Bel Abbes' youth

Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Smail Mimoun announced that projects worth 10 million AD are intended to encourage young graduates of aquaculture training institutions to invest inthe sector. In a press statement, the Minister said that young people can use this support to implement small projects in aquaculture. Young people can also acquire the fingerlings from state hatcheries [12].

• Aquaculture, an unescapable alternative

Often expensive, the fish are now rarely found on the table of Algerians. Even sardines, which once formed part of the common diet of Algerians, is now shunned because prices sometimes reach 300 DA per kilo. For that reason, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Smail Mimoune said that the development of aquaculture is an "unescapable alternative" to meet the growing demand for fish products and the scarcity of the local resource. "The resource can not meet the market needs, hence the urgent need to seek supplemental or alternative in aquaculture" he advocated. He assessed the fishable stock in Algeria at "only 220 000 tons/year", which "remains small and becomes even more expressive when compared to the domestic consumption, estimated at 6 kg/year/capita". Capitalizing on aquaculture production boost to produce at least 30,000 tons / year, Mr. Mimoune assured that "everything will be implemented for the development of a real aquaculture industry". Several hatcheries have been built. "Now we won't import fry anymore" said the Minister [34].

Burkina Faso

• Spirulina: a passport to wellbeing

The city of Koudougou hosted a Pan-African Conference on spirulina. The international meeting was held on the green algae, because it is a windfall for the health of populations because of its high nutrient content. Unfortunately, spirulina is not very popularized and is not yet part of the daily food of Africans and Burkina Faso's citizens. As part of the fight against malnutrition, the CSPS (Center for Health and Social Promotion) of Samandéni (village in the province Houët) conducted an experimental activity. A sample of 44 malnourished children was set randomly in 4 villages. The experiment was conducted over a period of 6 weeks. The weight change in relation to age and also the general state of health were the parameters studied. Through combined efforts, each child of the sample received 30 g of spirulina powder per week. The lesson from the overall analysis of results shows that 75% of the sample had changed positively classification (8 absence of severe malnutrition, 5 from severe to mild, 9 moderate to severe, 4 moderate to absence of malnutrition, 7 moderate to mild). Almost all of the sample responded well to the dietary supplement. This shows how spirulina is an important food for children and could be a weapon against malnutrition [23].

Congo

• Aquaculture for unemployed graduates

For the last two years, a dozen young jobless graduates operate ponds and supply the Pointe Noire market with 12 tons of fresh fish annually. Gathered together, they support each others and fight together, at their level against high prices and inflation. Euloge Pangou, agronomist, chairman of the Copragel (Cooperative for the promotion and revival of agriculture and livestock) remembers the beginnings of this adventure: "The people needed fresh fish. We have therefore launched in 2008 our fish farm. The most difficult thing was to buy a site and equipment. "Since this activity provides livelihoods to ten cooperative members aged 18 to 40 years. With an annual production estimated to 12 tonnes in 2009, the cooperative supplies selected markets around Pointe-Noire. It also supply the major restaurants in town. "We are fighting against high prices by selling our fish to restaurants at 2 000 FCFA per kilogram of fish (€ 3). They then sell consumers dishes ranging from 2 500 to 5 000 CFA (4 to 7.5 €), says Joachim Moussounda, fisherman, member of the Copragel and in charge of pond management and sales tracking. Beyond price, customers also appreciate the quality of products. Gaspard, one of the main restaurants of Pointe-Noire, explains: "Before, we bought to traders frozen fish from Europe. There were caught by Chinese, but since they caused vomiting and diarrhea to some consumers, we shifted to the emerging fresh fish to protect the health of our customers". Copragel could realize his project with the financial support of International Partnership for Human Development (IPHD), an American NGO based in Congo Brazzaville (1.5 million CFA francs, about 2 300 €) and public funds support to agriculture (5 million CFA francs, about 7 600 €) [5].

Guinea

• The Guinean president calls for the involvement of Mali to help resolve crisis in Guinea

The Guinean president has requested the involvement of Mali to help solve crisis in Guinea. According to the communiqué, both countries have also decided to hold a meeting with ministers in charge of border issues and security to revive the activities of the Guinea and Mali Border Committee. The two delegations agreed to strengthen cooperation on transhumance animal, animal health protection, food safety, fisheries and aquaculture [32].

Kenya

• Fish project that never was

A multi-million shilling project that could have uplifted the lives of Kisumu East residents has been left unattended for far too long. Some 50,000 hectares of land were set aside by the government three decades ago at Kano Kabonyo in Kisumu East district for fish farming but to date little action has been seen in the area. In 2003 the government moved in and fenced the plot. The following year three buildings were put up and in the 2005, only three fish ponds were dug and a water pipe placed, covering a distance of 500 metres. The project came to an abrupt halt at this point. The ponds are being filled with silt from rivers which flow towards lake Victoria and the fence is coming down.The three buildings, however, stand defiantly indicating that something will go on there in the near future.The place as it stands today is being used by public figures from the area to enrich themselves. They are taking advantage of the nearby river to grow rice. The place is inaccessible due to undeveloped roads [14].

• Using waste water to grow rose flowers

A new technology of growing flowers could be the solution to pollution that is threatening to wipe out Lake Naivasha. Rogue flower farms, an alarming rate of encroachment into the lake’s riparian land as well as a lack of an environmental plan of action could be responsible for the increasing threats to the lake. In the past few weeks, fish have been dying under mysterious circumstances in a suspected case of chemical poisoning by the neighbouring flower farms accused of discharging raw waste into the fresh water lake. But hydroponics, a pioneer system that enables the grower to tap all waste water and channel it to a treatment system for re-use, ensures that flower farms do not go back to the lake for more water or channel their waste into the lake. Adopted by Homegrown flower farms, the technology is the only one of its kind in the country and illustrates how investment in waste management by flower growers could contribute to environmental conservation [15].

• Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute made giant step in breeding techniques
  

The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) have made giant step in the direction of identifying and selecting suitable aquaculture species, breeding techniques, feed processing and management practices. They have developped a body of knowledge that farmers are reaping from. Dr Harrison Charo, KMFRI fish breeder and geneticist said the institute's work is carried out in both marine and freshwater systems. Studies consider seed production, feed, hatchery techniques, stocking and production systems, genetic and hormonal manipulations. The first step of the current project, started in 2007, was the revamping of the facilities at the research stations, followed by selection of aquaculture species to be bred for propagation by farmers. The breeding of catfish is being undertaken at Sang'oro with tilapia being bred at Kegati. The fish geneticist said the breeding chain is complete. The researchers breed the nucleus fish which are then taken to multiplication centre then to hatcheries for mass production of fingerlings which are then distributed to farmers for pond stocking [16].

• Ponds to double fish production by end of year

Annual fish production is expected to more than double from the current four metric tonnes to 10 MT by the end of the year. This is in the wake of the mass construction of ponds in constituencies under the Economic Stimulus Programme started last year. By the end of the year, the Ministry of Fisheries Development will have helped construct ponds in 140 constituencies. The project production will reach between 70MT and 100MT in five year, KMFRI Dr. Harrison Charo estimates. He says, besides the ponds being constructed under the programme, other farmers are likely to join the fray and build own ponds. Constructing a fish pond costs Sh 25,000. Fish officers assist farmers to dig the ponds by providing technical support, especially on where to site the ponds and how to construct them according to recommended specifications. Ten youths dig one pond for 10 days with each being paid Sh 250 per day. The government provides the Sh 25,000 needed for construction of the pond according to available prototype measurement, Sh 3,000 for buying fingerlings and Sh 5,000 for buying feed. Dr. Charo points out that fish consumption in the country is very low at 3 kg per capita [16].

• Nile perch exporters to face difficulty

Nile perch fillet exporters may be challenged this year when the US imposes a new farming bill that will restrict imports of pangasius. The performance of one species in the international market affects the other, as both fish are classified as “white meat.” “Despite the weak supply, prices of Nile perch are going down. This is mainly caused by the strong competition of pangasius fillets in the market,” FAO said in an outlook late in 2009. Kenya and other East African countries depend mainly on Lake Victoria for fishing of Nile perch despite recently dwindling resources and poor prices in the international market. “Business has been tough in that stocks are difficult to come by and prices have also not been encouraging. The end markets in Europe have been enticing in terms of price rewards and some people have even resorted to pushing sales locally instead of sending them abroad on basis of economies of scale,” said James Owiti, a Kisumu-based Nile perch dealer. Prices of Nile perch in major international markets have also been diving due to the competition of low-priced pangasius. Experts are thus recommending improved value addition to products through certification schemes to up their competitiveness. Nile perch dealers at Lake Victoria have been embracing certification through schemes such as German eco-certifier Naturland [21].

• Lake Turkana Ecosystem - Development for Ecology?

The 290 kilometre long and 32km wide Lake Turkana is the world's largest desert lake. Lake Turkana has about 48 fish species, three of which - tilapia, Nile perch and catfish - make the core of the lake's fisheries with a potential of up to 30,000 tonnes per year. A threat is the latest dam on the lake's permanent inflow, the Gibe III. One would hope lessons learnt from past projects in the Turkana ecosystem would point to better crafted development initiatives this time round. The 1980s Norad funded Kalokol Fish Factory on Lake Turkana, and the 1990s Turkwel Gorge hydropower project have not contributed much to the development of these fragile, "voiceless," marginalised regions and lack of all-encompassing feasibility studies, including cost-benefit studies, have left the locals short. The Gibe III is the third project in a planned series of five dams on the Omo River. Work on Gibe III commenced in 2006 even before feasibility studies were conducted or funding secured. There are 500,000 people downstream of the Gibe III on the Ethiopia part, and 300,000 in the Lake Turkana area of Kenya - communities who will live with any likely impacts of the $2.1 billion project. It is estimated that the filling of the Gibe III reservoir will likely take two or more years, cutting the Omo inflow by 50 per cent and reducing the lake level by seven to 10 metres. In all the three Omo dams, there have been no above-board feasibility studies. The IDC together with the African Development Bank (AfDB), European Investment Bank, and JP Morgan Chase are possible financiers of Gibe III. In 2009, the African Resources Working Group gave a damning report on Gibe III, predicting devastating impacts downstream. Though the Gibe III will impact 800,000 people, the only "voice" championing the cause for conservation from the region is Friends of Lake Turkana in Kenya. The Ministries of Water, and the Development of Northern Kenya and Arid Lands are yet to issue official positions on the matter. Two petitions in March and April 2009 were submitted to the AfDB's Compliance Review Mechanism Unit to investigate Bank compliance in the project preparation [24].

Malawi

• Network will bolster African fisheries research

A new African network is aiming to increase the number of aquaculture and fisheries scientists on the continent and boost its dwindling fish stocks. The Fisheries University Network (FishNet), led by the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), was launched at the Bunda College of Agriculture in Malawi this month (15 February). It will recruit and train scientists on fisheries at member universities, in line with both national and pan-African development agendas. "It is widely [known] that Africa lacks critical mass of fisheries scientists to adequately undertake various important functions along the value chain of fisheries and aquaculture from production to marketing and trade," Emmanuel Kaunda, regional technical coordinator for fisheries in the Aquaculture Department at the University of Malawi, told SciDev.Net. The network is expected to work with the Partnership for African Fisheries (PAF), a programme for developing fisheries reforms in Africa. It will also receive around US$10.7 million from the UK Department for International Development (DFID), said Tim Bostock, a senior fisheries advisor at DFID. The Malawi meeting also saw the launch of postgraduate degree programmes in aquaculture and fisheries by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture, a consortium of 25 universities in Eastern and Southern Africa established in 2004 and hosted by the University of Malawi [1].

Mali

• New Director of the Office du Niger set ambitious targets

The new director of the office the Niger has set up very ambitious targets. These include extending irrigated areas to 4000 ha (1700 ha currently) and rehabilitate existing structures. He also wants to promote an integrated approach that will consider all activities, including aquaculture [18].

• Livestock and fisheries sectors: Some strengths, some constraints but a strong political will to address the challenges

With the creation of a dedicated department as soon 2004, the government has demonstrated a real political will to support livestock and fisheries sectors, as they contribute to the achievement of food security, create jobs and wealth and improve living conditions of populations. The livestock sub-sector plays a major role in the economic and social development of the country. It contributes to rural incomes for about 80% in pastoral systems and 18% in agro-pastoral systems. It is the primary source of livelihood for over 30% of Mali's population. The livestock sector contributes 10% to the GDP and is the third largest export after gold and cotton. The fisheries sub-sector is also a pillar of the national economy. It provides employment to about 7.2% of the workforce. Fish production is estimated at more than 150.000 t/year, placing Mali among the top African countries producing freshwater fish. The consumption per capita is 10.5 kg. The gross annual value is estimated at 90 billion FCFA, with a contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the order of 4.2%, creating about 500,000 jobs. The inadequacy of reception facilities, modern landing, packaging, preservation and storage units lead to many post-harvest losses. The problems for supplying inputs, the isolation of production areas and bad weather in recent decades have affected the livelihoods of fishing communities. Faced with this situation and to ensure the development of the sub-sector, the Government of Mali adopted a master plan for development of fisheries and aquaculture, as well as a five-year program for aquaculture development over the period 2008-2012. It is in this context that specific projects and programs are implemented to promote fishing and aquaculture [33].

Mauritius

• Exploitation of marine algae

The Research Council of Mauritius is currently working on two major projects: the production of geo-thermal electricity and exploitation of marine algae for commercial purposes. The Executive Director of the Council Arjoon Suddhoo, said they worked on the exploitation of seaweed, which have a huge potential in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Mauritius. "We have so much space that can be used and algae have many applications in cosmetics, aquaculture, food industry. We started to work on the properties algae and we see it is very promising. They are very important sources of magnesium, calcium and phosphate. And it's organic" said Suddhoo. However, such projects require huge investments, according to the researcher. "There are economic costs, but also social cost, geo-political and environmental" [10].

• Towards a strengthening cooperation between Reunion and Mauritius

The establishment of a permanent platform of public-private partnership between Reunion and Mauritius is now official after the visit of the French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Anne-Marie Idrac in the Indian Ocean. This platform should boost trade and cooperation between the two islands by working with both private and public sectors. "Experience shows that the development of synergies between Member States of the IOC is generating benefits for all. Whether in sustainable development and renewable energy or food security, fisheries and aquaculture or to logistics developments, they must all be viewed at the regional level" [22].

Mozambique

• Anne-Marie Idrac, French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade to visit aquaculture farm

Anne-Marie IDRAC, French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, will visit Mauritius, South Africa and Mozambique, from 8 to 12 March 2010. In Mozambique, she will visit Aquapesca – Quelimane aquaculture farm. This is an organic Black Tiger farm funded by the French group OCEINDE from Reunion island. 40 millions euros were invested to build 350 ha ponds, 5 laboratories, 2 desalinizing units and one freezing unit with a potential of 15 ton per day. In 2009, 1580 tons were exported to France [9] [28].

Namibia

• Councillor Denies Fishy Dealings

The Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency regional councillor, Hilma Nikanor, has rejected allegations that she is denying residents involvement in the Fonteintjie Aquaculture project. This follows claims by Fredrika Kruger that people who had been involved in the initial stages of the project were sidelined by Nikanor when the project became operational. Kruger called on the Minister of Fisheries, Dr Abraham Iyambo, to intervene. Pouring cold water on the claims, Nikanor said she recently had a meeting with community members involved in the project. "The project is a huge success. An individual with a negative attitude is trying to portray the project in a bad light," said Nikanor. Nikanor said 30 be-neficiaries were involved in the project and none of them had benefited yet. Since the project became operational in 2006, fish were harvested on three occasions, said Nikanor. The German Embassy and Karas Regional Council donated N$300 000 to set up some structures and to cover part of the project's running costs, according to Nikanor [25] [29].

• Agribank Provides Aquaculture Loans

AgriBank and the Ministry of Fisheries signed an agreement yesterday setting down guidelines for financing aquaculture or fish-farming projects, and the loans will be provided by AgriBank. The Ministry of Fisheries was at one stage contemplating setting up a special 'fish bank' to allocate loans for aquaculture projects like oyster farming or inland fish species like tilapia, Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo said yesterday. After long negotiations, however, AgriBank came on board to work out loan products for the relatively new sector in Namibia [26].

• Aquaculture gets financial, technological boost

Aquaculture projects are being promoted by a five-year technical agreement for six Namibian regions signed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Vietnam and the Namibian Government, and financing by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) and the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank). MFMR will profit from the technical and practical know-how of the 12 Vietnamese aquaculture and marine specialists who will be working in Namibia for the duration of the contract, July 2010 - July 2014. The agreement was requested of the FAO by Namibia. Vietnam will share its aquaculture expertise with the regions of Caprivi, Oshana, Omusati, Hardap, Karas and Kavango and at various inland and aquaculture institutes per the agreement. The Asian nation is well-known for its inland fish farms, which generate a large portion of the country’s revenues. The deal is being financed with NAD 12 million (USD 1.5 million) from the Spanish Cooperation Office in Namibia. The funds will cover all implementation and operational costs. Spanish Ambassador to Namibia Alfonso Barnuevo said the grant represents the two countries’ mutual support of each other, reports New Era. Additionally, Namibia’s Government will be investing NAD 3 million (USD 387,107) for the scheme. The tripartite agreement was signed as part of the South-South Cooperation in Aquaculture, a white paper policy running between Namibia and Vietnam that was established for the former’s National Plan for Food Security (NPFS) to benefit from Vietnam’s best practice methods of aquaculture [30].

• Cooperation between Namibia and Congo (Brazzaville) in aquaculture and fisheries

Namibia and Congo Brazzaville signed a MoU on March 5 to develop their cooperation on fisheries and aquaculture, as Congo wishes to stimulate this income generating sector. The commitments include both the development of trade bet­ween the two countries but also the training of fishermen. The objective is to develop a genuine fishery and aquaculture industry in Congo. In the document signed by both ministers, Congo will start exporting its freshwater shrimp to Namibia, which will initially identify potential importers and circulate a list to the Congolese government. Meanwhile, Namibia will export its production of horse mackerel to Congo. Subsequently, Namibia will concede facilities to Congolese import companies. This agreement paves the way for broader cooperation between the two countries. A training program has also been discussed. It consists of a 8 months theoretical training at the Namibian Maritime Fisheries Institute (NAMFI), followed by practical training on board ships. The Namibian scientific staff should also develop a plan for the assessment of fish stocks in Congolese waters. Namibia will also assist Congo in the development of aquaculture. Industrial production of fish, as well as production and distribution of fingerlings should thus be developed on the Congolese territory [37].

Réunion

• Towards a strengthening cooperation between Reunion and Mauritius

The establishment of a permanent platform of public-private partnership between Reunion and Mauritius is now official after the visit of the French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Anne-Marie Idrac in the Indian Ocean. This platform should boost trade and cooperation between the two islands by working with both private and public sectors. "Experience shows that the development of synergies between Member States of the IOC is generating benefits for all. Whether in sustainable development and renewable energy or food security, fisheries and aquaculture or to logistics developments, they must all be viewed at the regional level" [22].

Sénégal

• Concern about declining fisheries

Officials from the fisheries sector of countries in West Africa have expressed their concerns about the degradation of fisheries resources in the region and declining catches in the major fisheries. Gathered this week in Dakar for a workshop on marine fisheries in the African sub-region, participants were unanimous that the fisheries sector recorded in recent years a steady decline in catches, putting at risk a key resource for many countries in the region. The docks "Joal-Fadiouth (south-east of Dakar) with more than 7,000 fishing boats, saw the catch dropped dramatically during the last ten years. According to data provided during this meeting, the average income of fishermen who are active in the port decreased from 10,000 CFA francs per day (1 Euro about 655 CFA francs) to 3,000 currently [6].

• Fishery remains the main provider of currency

The fishery sector remains the leading industry for providing foreign currencies through exports of its products, said Sarène Ousmane Ndiaye, adviser to Minister of Maritime Economy, Fisheries and Transport sea. "This sector offers some 600 000 jobs in Senegal, representing 17% of the workforce" Mr. Ndiaye said at the opening of a workshop on restoration and extension of the achievements of a micro-test on aquaculture of gracilaire (red algae). He noted that in addition to fishing, aquaculture is being developed in Senegal, and the results already achieved showed interesting prospects, both for fish, crustaceans and molluscs. The micro-test of red algae aquaculture project is supported by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through technical and financial support, and by the NGO SOS-environnement for its implementation. According to Ousmane Ndiaye, algae are part of marine resources but research data show that in Senegal, this resource is "virtually unknown" and "virtually untapped". He told that this explains the low annual production estimated between 8 and 10 tons per year, whereas it can reach 15,000 tons annually. Moreover, this is a paradox in terms of the global context characterized by a rapid development of algae farming during the past 20 years with a production of 9.5 million tonnes by 2003 among which 8.5 million come from farming [7] [20].

• Six countries in the sub-region to adopt a charter on mangrove protection

Facing an alarming deterioration of mangrove ecosystems in the wetlands of West Africa, six countries in the subregion have adopted in Dakar, during a regional workshop organized by Wetlands International Africa, a charter for the sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems and an action plan for implementation. Recognizing the extent of degradation of mangrove ecosystems in the wetlands and breaches and violations of laws and regulations in different countries in order to preserve resources of flora and fauna by border populations, actors involved in the sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems and the development partners have completed the validation of a charter and a plan of action. This tool, which will be submitted for adoption by the States concerned, aims to establish sustainable management of mangrove resources in the subregion. The signatory countries are Mauritania, Guinea, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Sierra Leone [13].

• 200 retention dams built

The economic activities flourish around the 200 dams built located throughout the country. These water bodies embedded in main land or in the lowlands have boosted agricultural activities. In countries with variable rainfall such as Senegal, control of water policy is an important element for the development of agriculture. 75 basins or storage structures were built between 2000 and 2003 and there were a total of 200 ponds operating in May 2007. This project paved the way for the testing of fish farming, as an alternative to the scarcity of fish resources. The Senegalese living far from the coastal areas and river banks can now access fish resource. "We have a national aquaculture policy that has been adopted by the government and who's goal is to produce in 5 years, 100,000 tons of fish and other aquaculture products", Djibo Ka said during a visit at the Sebi-Ponty dam. The Senegal's goal is to build sites for a 3900 total storage capacity of 4, 5 million cubic meters. 500 ha could be irrigated from these sites to contribute to the revegetation of the country [35].

• Great Green Wall: An integrative project for Africa

The GGW (Great Green Wall) Pan Africanist project is a flagship activity for nine countries of the continent. President Abdoulaye Wade has played a major role alongside his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo for the implementation of this giant project. Its objective is to provide solutions to environmental problems of Africa, including desertification, land degradation, sand storms, aridity and water scarcity. This idea has attracted several international organizations like the European Union, the New Partnership for Africa's economic development (NEPAD), the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (Cen-Sad). The objective is that the GGW serves as a protective wall against desertification, helps restore and enhance resources, but also helps unite the Sahelian and Saharan countries. It will extend over a length of 7000 km, a width of 15 km and an area of 11 624 500 hectares. It will cross Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti. 80 water storage dams will be built and wild animal will be introduced when vegetation is well established. Scientists in charge of the project said that people in areas crossed by the green wall will also be able to benefit from it, whether by harvest fruits or by developing ecological tourism. As for Senegal, Professor Dia revealed that 2 million hectares of land have been lost because of desertification. In Senegal, the GGW will cross the regions of Saint-Louis, Matam, Louga and Tambacounda, over five hundred kilometers. What about holding tanks? The Senegal president said that only 9% of global freshwater resources are in Africa (4050 m3 of water per year). To improve this, he suggested to increase the number of retention basins throughout the Sahel. Justifying his proposal Abdoulaye Wade said that billions of tons of water fall annually over Senegal and are lost by infiltration into the ground or by flowing to the sea. The retention pond in its approach takes into account the social realities of each site to create local micro-enterprises and promote income-generating activities on a large scale [36].

• Red seaweed : An opportunity for poverty alleviation

A seminar was hold on the aquaculture of seaweed (red algae) in Point Sarene (Mbour). Seaweed are part of the marine resources but data suggests that in Senegal, "this resource is virtually unknown and virtually untapped if one refers to the low average annual production estimated between 80 and 100 tonnes per year" said a technical advisor. Thus "this constitutes a paradox in relation to the global environment, marked by a rapid development of seaweeds during the last 20 years. This results from a growing demand for this resource, due to its various uses, including food, agriculture, medicine, pharmacy and energy. An experimental seaweed aquaculture project was conducted during 6 months (July 2009-February 2010) with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the NGO SOS -Environnement [38].

Tunisia

• Monitoring the situation of the aquaculture industry

A working session devoted to monitoring the status of aquaculture and the implementation of new projects, was held at the Ministry of Agriculture in Tunis. The focus was on ways to intensify and diversify production to ensure regular supplies of domestic and foreign markets and to strengthen export. Participants noted the progressive growth of the production sector which rose during the first two months of 2010 to approximately 300 tonnes against 225 tonnes during the same period last year [11].

• Bizerta sets up eight new aquaculture projects

The coastal city of Bizerta, known for its fisheries and aquaculture with 200 kilometers of coastline, 5 fishing ports, 9 shelters for fishing boats and a coastal fishing fleet totaling 1403 units, witnessed recently the implementation of 8 new aquaculture projects, that were granted funding agreement. The 8 new projects included 3 fish farming projects in floating cages off the sea, relating to shellfish farming in the Bizerta lake and 2 projects dedicated to fish dams. Generating a total budget of more than 21 million 227 thousand dinars, these projects will create 122 direct jobs and produce an annual average of about 1,500 tons of fish and shellfish [27].

Uganda

• Arua farmers turn to fish farming as natural stocks dwindle

According to Mr Nasser Kasozi, an aquaculture scientist at Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Abi Zardi), catches from River Nile and Albert Nile have declined largely due to the negative effects of using under-sized fishing gear and overfishing. Mr Kasozi says with nearly 30 fish species in the West Nile region already depleted, signs are that artisanal fisheries can no longer meet the demands of an increasing population and that is the reason many farmers have turned to aquaculture for their fish needs. “Catches of the Alestes spp (Angara), a delicacy in West Nile, have declined so much that one hardly finds this fish in the local markets anymore. More farmers are now going for catfish and tilapia as an alternative,” he says, adding that Naads in Arua has partnered with Abi Zardi to provide technical assistance to fish farmers in the district. Most of the fish produced in the district is mainly for domestic consumption and for sale in the local markets within Arua; parts of south Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. A report however attributes the 42 (33 per cent) dysfunctional ponds to the challenges/constraints faced in implementing fishing activities in the district, such as low budgetary allocations, poor facilitation of field staff operations, stiff competition for land use between crops and fish ponds; expensive initial fish farming inputs and seeds among others. The report also says some of the ponds were abandoned when the respective NGOs that started the programmes like Arua Catholic Diocese, ACAV and CARE International wound up their activities. The biggest challenge remains access to quality fish seeds as fish farmers in the region have to rely on the supply of fingerlings produced by hatcheries from Kajjansi-Aquaculture Research and Development Centre and other fry centres in the central region of Uganda. The situation is worse with the African catfish that cannot reproduce in ponds yet it has emerged as one of the most favoured species for aquaculture in the region, owing to its likable characteristics such as its faster growth rate, high price, compatibility with other cultivable species of fish and ability to feed on a variety of fish foods. While catfish can reproduce under a natural environment, its reproduction in “captivity” has to be induced through hormone treatment followed by artificial fertilisation and incubation of fertilised eggs and subsequent rearing. Establishment of a commercial fish hatchery especially for African catfish is still beyond the means of farmers in the district [2].

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