The network
World per capita fish consumption is expected to increase by 2030 with the exception of Africa, due to population growth outpacing supply on the continent. This raises food and nutrition security issues owing to the high prevalence of malnutrition in the region and the contribution of fish to total animal intake in many African countries. Regardless of the strong potential and significant expansion of the aquaculture industry in Africa, mostly based on freshwater aquaculture, it accounts for only ca. 3% of the global aquaculture production. Despite being the second largest continent on Earth, Africa currently has the second lowest marine aquaculture production in the world.
The ultimate goal of AfriMAQUA is to contribute to the development of sustainable marine aquaculture in Africa to combat poverty, ensure food and nutrition security, provide jobs, and create income and wealth.
The network provides the opportunity to share knowledge, to join research efforts, and reinforce the capacities of the consortium members around four main topics: 1) life cycle control of species of aquaculture interest, 2) development of high quality and sustainable feeds for cultured species, 3) development of eco-friendly farming systems, and 4) improvement of welfare and health of organisms and farming systems.
Inter-institutional collaborations within and between partner countries responding to regional and international project calls
Grants for students and young researchers for scientific missions at one of the member institutions
Face-to-face and online training on topics of interest to the network members
Distance learning courses addressed to students and young researchers
Online and face-to-face presentations and discussions on topics of interest to the network members
Dissemination of the results produced by the consortium to scientific, governmental and industrial actors, as well as to civil society
The actions of the AfriMAQUA research network contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals and respond to the priorities expressed in the African Union Agenda 2063.
