Aquatic foods play a vital role in providing high-quality protein and essential nutrients needed to combat malnutrition.

A new partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) has been launched to improve access to safe, affordable, and nutritious aquatic foods for vulnerable communities across Africa and Latin America

The initiative, titled New Aquatic Food Value Chains for Sustainable Healthy Diets in Fragile Contexts (NAVAC), aims to enhance food security, support local economies, and drive innovation within aquatic food systems.

Backed by a €20mn contribution from the EU and an additional US$500,000 from FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme, NAVAC will run from 2025 to 2030 in Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, South Sudan, and Colombia.

“The main aim of NAVAC is to expand the supply of sustainable, affordable, safe and nutritious aquatic foods and ensure that it reaches nutritionally vulnerable populations while at the same time providing economic benefits to local communities through Blue Transformation innovations in aquatic food value chains,” said Godfrey Magwenzi, Deputy Director-General of FAO.

Aquatic foods play a vital role in providing high-quality protein and essential nutrients needed to combat malnutrition, particularly among children, pregnant women, and other at-risk groups. Despite their benefits, these resources often remain underutilised in national food and nutrition strategies.

NAVAC is closely aligned with FAO’s Four Betters – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life – ensuring that no one is left behind. It also contributes to FAO’s Blue Transformation agenda, which seeks to build more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient aquatic food systems.

“NAVAC promotes innovative and integrated approaches to value chain development, from ‘net to plate’, ensuring that interventions advance food security and nutrition outcomes, strengthen livelihoods and enhance environmental sustainability,” said Annette Schneegans, Deputy Permanent Representative of the European Union to FAO. “It reflects the European Union’s commitment to the Global Gateway strategy,” she added.

FAO will lead the project in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark. Initial efforts will focus on assessing aquatic food value chains in each target country to identify opportunities and challenges. Based on these insights, the project will design tailored strategies to improve production, processing, and distribution, ensuring that nutritious aquatic foods reach those who need them most.

Drawing on lessons from the FISH4ACP initiative, NAVAC aims to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture sectors, helping rural communities achieve better nutrition, income stability, and sustainable livelihoods.

The call is clear: responsible use of antibiotics isn’t optional—it’s essential for the future of aquaculture.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has issued a strong warning to fish farmers in Nasarawa over the excessive and improper use of antibiotics in aquaculture, citing severe consequences for human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the long-term sustainability of fish production.

Speaking at an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) awareness workshop in Lafia, Samuel Anzaku, Director of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology at the ministry, stressed the urgent need for farmers to curb the misuse of antibiotics in fish ponds.

“When we misuse antibiotics, we aren’t just harming fish—we’re harming ourselves,” Anzaku cautioned. “Antibiotic residues in fish sold before the end of the withdrawal period can enter the food chain, fuelling antimicrobial resistance and endangering public health.”

The sensitisation event, backed by the Fleming Fund and coordinated through the University of Liverpool, forms part of a global push to combat AMR in food systems.

Maureen Kajo-Kokoiwen, programme coordinator and Fleming Fund Fellow, warned that antibiotic overuse is a fast-rising threat to food safety and global health.

“Farmers must stop relying on unverified treatment advice or medicating fish without veterinary guidance,” she said. “Skipping drug withdrawal periods doesn’t just risk consumers—it also contaminates water systems and damages aquatic biodiversity.”

The workshop struck a chord with local producers. Manasseh Usman, President of the Nasarawa Fish Farmers and Processors Association, praised the initiative.

“This is the kind of knowledge we need,” he said. “Many farmers don’t realise how much harm poor antibiotic practices can cause. With over 130 members in our association, we’re ready to take this message across Nasarawa.”

As Nigeria’s aquaculture sector continues to grow, experts warn that sustainable antibiotic stewardship will be key to protecting fish stocks, safeguarding human health, and maintaining public confidence in local farmed fish.

The call is clear: responsible use of antibiotics isn’t optional—it’s essential for the future of aquaculture.

The project is creating new economic opportunities and empowering local communities.

The Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVEP), funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with €84 million, is transforming fish farming in Cameroon, particularly along the coast and southwestern regions

Implemented by the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, the project is creating new economic opportunities and empowering local communities, with a focus on women and youth.

A key factor in the project’s success is a specially developed strain of African catfish (Clarias) created by the Agricultural Research Institute for Development. This new breed grows faster, has lower fat content, and higher fry survival rates. Farmers can now harvest in five to six months, instead of eight to nine, with survival rates of 80–85%, up from around 60%. Each female can produce 15,000–20,000 fry per cycle, with up to three cycles annually.

During the project’s initial phase, 2,600 broodstock were distributed to 50 pilot hatcheries, producing and selling over 115,000 fry since October 2024. While most hatcheries performed strongly, some broodstock required an additional three months of growth before full use.

Alongside broodstock distribution, 280 fish farmers received training across the entire aquaculture value chain, covering floating cage farming, hatchery management, feed formulation, and business operations. The training aims to improve technical skills, resilience, and product quality.

The project plans to increase Cameroon’s annual fish production by 10,000 tonnes by 2027, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening food security. To expand the gene pool, an AfDB mission in April 2025 recommended adding 12,000 Clarias and 3,000 tilapia broodstock, which are set for delivery under a new agreement.

A collaborative partnership between the Research Institute, the Project, and the Ministry works closely with regional fish farming associations. Regular monitoring, quarterly technical reports, and digital data collection ensure traceability, quality, and consistent performance.

Farmers and vendors are already benefiting. In Douala, the new catfish remains firm and flavoursome, helping sellers earn higher income. Improved market infrastructure—such as hygienic counters, ice access, running water, and better security—is enhancing sales and dignity for vendors.

Overall, PD-CVEP demonstrates a sustainable, inclusive development model that strengthens Cameroon’s rural economy through innovation, capacity building, and modern aquaculture practices.

Tanzania can take control of its waters.

Tanzania’s fishing industry has long supported families, kept children in school, and sustained coastal communities

But behind the scenes, the sector is under serious threat. The problem isn’t natural disasters or predators, but something worse—illegal foreign fishing fleets quietly stealing Tanzania’s marine resources.

According to the Tanzania Relief Initiative (TRI), many of these foreign vessels disguise themselves under local names and operate in Tanzania’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Despite clear territorial boundaries, these fleets continue fishing without proper permits or accountability. The Global IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) Fishing Index has ranked Tanzania poorly, placing it among the worst-performing countries in recent years.

 Edwin Mugambila, TRI CEO has called for urgent action. “Foreigners must pay taxes so the country benefits. Locals should be the ones earning a living from our waters,” he said at a recent press conference. He urged the government to introduce strict laws, involve local fishing associations in licensing, and implement modern tracking systems.

One major concern is the depletion of key fish species. Once abundant and valuable fish like Robusta are now nearly extinct in Tanzanian waters. Mugambila also raised alarm over the capture of banned species, including whales and sharks, with foreign crews taking only the fins and discarding the rest. Many foreign operators reportedly use Tanzanian proxies to appear legitimate while keeping full control.

Despite having over 1,400 km of coastline and more than 61,000 square kilometres of inland water, marine fishing contributes just 1.7 to 1.8 per cent to Tanzania’s GDP. Most fishing is done by small-scale operators using outdated tools. Deep-sea fishing, where the real value lies, is dominated by foreigners. Meanwhile, aquaculture remains underdeveloped, contributing only about 1 per cent to the economy.

Local fishers and entrepreneurs are also struggling to compete. Sarah Mwambu from the Tanzania Association of Marine Entrepreneurs (TAOME) said foreign buyers pay much higher prices for fish, leaving locals unable to match them. “We used to buy at 15,000/- per kilo. Now they offer 40,000/-. We can’t keep up,” she said.

The TRI and local groups are calling for tighter enforcement, better infrastructure, and greater support for Tanzanian fishers. With bold leadership and proper investment, Tanzania can take control of its waters and ensure the ocean’s wealth benefits its people first.