[Project] AfriMAQUA - Sustainable marine aquaculture in Africa

Updated 19/08/20

International Research Group-South (GDRI-Sud)

2019 - 2022

Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania

Context

It is estimated that world fish consumption per capita will increase on all continents by 2030 with the exception of Africa, because of population is growing faster than the fish offer on this continent. This raises food security issues due to the high prevalence of undernutrition in the region and the importance of fish in the total protein intake in many African countries.

As aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector, global aquaculture production today exceeds that of fisheries in order to meet the growing demand of the world's population for aquatic protein. Africa, despite strong potential and significant expansion of its aquaculture industry, based on inland aquaculture, accounts for only 2% of global aquaculture production. Thus, despite being the second largest continent in the world, Africa today has the lowest marine aquaculture production in the world, despite its considerable potential for food security.

Objectives

In this context, the objective of GDRI-South AfriMAQUA is to bring together research teams in the field of marine aquaculture of West Africa (Senegal, Ivory Coast), Southern Africa (Namibia, South Africa), East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Mauritius) and actors from UMR MARBEC (France) in order to exchange knowledge, pool research efforts and strengthen research capacity. At this stage, four convergent and priority research themes have been identified in AfriMAQUA, based on an ecosystem approach to aquaculture, and which contribute to the development of a blue and sustainable economy, respectful of ecosystems and their biodiversity:

Control of the biological cycles of species of aquaculture interest
Establishment of a healthy and sustainable diet for the species produced
Development of ecosystem-friendly livestock farming systems
Improvement of the welfare and health of organisms and livestock systems

Network

AfriMAQUA will promote the integration and active participation of students (masters and PhDs) and young researchers. They will benefit from training workshops, distance learning and exchange grants between laboratories that will be organized within the network. Synergies put in place within the network will make it possible to respond to regional and international calls for projects. Special attention will be given to disseminating the results produced by the consortium members to scientific, governmental and industrial actors as well as to civil society.