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Inland wild-capture fisheries play a crucial role in human livelihoods, cultural wellbeing, and international economy. Wild capture fisheries are essential, cheap and accessible sources of protein and micronutrients in regions which are characterised by food insecurity and poverty. Fish are a major source of protein and micronutrients in riparian communities, however, due to bottlenecks in processing, cold-chain storage and transport routes, inland fisheries as a food-system are under-developed and under-valued despite their importance in improving food security and nutrition in Africa.
Of late, inland fisheries have come under threat from environmental change characterised by increased temperatures , siltation, chemical and nutrient pollution, non-native invasive species, and over-exploitation. Attempts to create aquaculture markets have resulted in introduction of non-native species, unfavourable yield to effort, and food deficient in micronutrients as compared to wild capture fish.
This AAP Dialogue between brings together AAP members and partners to identify and discuss shared problems and opportunities in order to tackle challenges common in African fisheries. The aim of this dialogue therefore is to stimulate cross border interdisciplinary thinking to tackle shared problems in fisheries science among African Great Lakes researchers and to enhance research capacity and problem solving for inland fisheries in Africa. Panelists include researchers from various universities in eastern and southern Africa, USA and the UK who have dedicated their careers to understanding Africa’s inland fisheries and addressing the challenges faced by people and ecosystems that depend on them.
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