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.

Coral breeding in Mauritius.
© Nadeem Nazurally
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.
Partners
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Fisheries Research and Development, South Africa
- University of Cape Town (UCT), Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa
- UMR MARine Biodiversity, Exploitation and Conservation, France
- University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), College of Agricultural Sciences and Fisheries Technology (CoAF), Tanzanie
- Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI), Department of Fisheries, Tanzanie
- Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Mombasa Research Centre, Kenya
- Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Centre de Recherches Océanographiques de Dakar-Thiaroye, Sénégal
- Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Institut Universitaire de Pêche et d’Aquaculture, Sénégal
- Agence Nationale de l’Aquaculture, Sénégal
- Université Gaston Berger de Saint-Louis, UFR Sciences Agronomiques, de l'Aquaculture et des Technologies Alimentaires, Sénégal
- Association Ouest Africaine pour le Développement de la Pêche Artisanale, Sénégal
- Station d’Initiative aquacole de Saint-Louis, Sénégal
- Centre de Recherches Océanologiques, Côte d’Ivoire
- Université Péléforo Gon Coulibaly de Korhogo, UFR Sciences Biologiques, Côte d’Ivoire
- Institut Pédagogique National de l'Enseignement Technique et Professionnel, Côte d’Ivoire
- University of Namibia, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Namibie
- University of Mauritius, Department of Agricultural and Food Science, Maurice
Scientific coordination: Dr. Maria DARIAS, MARBEC
GDRI-Sud funding
French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development