SENEGAL – The African Development Bank Group and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations are pressing for increased acknowledgment of inland fisheries as a valuable resource, particularly in supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities. 

This appeal was first made last month in Dakar, where officials gathered for the 20th session of the Committee for Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (CIFAA).

During the event, the FAO introduced its latest report, Circular 942, which offers an updated overview of global inland fisheries resources. 

Many stakeholders from the sector were present, discussing the current and prospective contributions of inland fisheries. 

The report emphasizes that, despite their value in addressing development and conservation targets, inland fisheries are often excluded from critical development dialogues, even as their relevance to local communities grows.

Inland fisheries are central to the livelihoods of people in Asia and Africa, where more than half of the world’s undernourished population resides. 

According to FAO data, Asia produces nearly two-thirds of the world’s total inland fish catch, while Africa ranks second, with higher per capita production rates than Asia.

“Inland fisheries play a crucial role in food security, nutrition, and livelihood support within food systems. We must prioritize these resources to aid communities facing urgent needs,” remarked Vera Agostini, Deputy Director of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.

In Senegal, inland aquaculture production reached 1,151 tonnes in 2021, with six ASFIS species included in production metrics. 

Tilapias accounted for over half of the output, followed by oysters at 25.2% and mussels at 16.5%. The effective number of species (ENS), an indicator of species diversity, was 3.6 for the year. 

Senegal’s fish production is expected to rise from 1,160 metric tons in 2023 to an estimated 1,220 metric tons by 2028.

The demand for fish remains strong in Senegal, with per capita consumption at 19.2 kilograms in 2017, representing approximately 40% of the nation’s total animal protein intake.

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