Mariculture in the WIO Region - “Challenges and Prospects” Zanzibar 30/11- 3/12, 2009 Background Coastal aquaculture development within the Western Indian Ocean region is now at a crossroad. Dwindling catches in capture fisheries and degradation of coastal ecosystems limit poor peoples access to affordable seafood and livelihoods. Aquaculture could be one solution for these problems, but the development of aquaculture has, as in the rest of Africa, so far been slow. However, the situation now seems to change and it is therefore timely to discuss and guide the development in the right direction. The many mistakes made in e.g. South East Asia need to be avoided, especially detrimental effects on coastal ecosystems and the many poor people depending on these systems. At the same time as pro-poor aquaculture initiatives should be developed there is also room for development of more industrial forms of aquaculture. But what kind of systems and what species should be in focus, and what special challenges does climate change bring for the development of aquaculture in the WIO region? Can recent initiatives on ecosystem approach to aquaculture guide the development? What success stories exist and what can be learned from failures? Objectives The initiative is a venture jointly financed by International Foundation for Science (IFS) and Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), and in collaboration with The Beijer Institute. Core funding comes from the Swedish International Developmental Agency (SIDA) and The Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (MISTRA). The overall objectives are to contribute to sustainable coastal aquaculture development in the East Africa region through addressing key research and development issues, capacity building and establishment of networks. Additional objective is to strengthen the collaboration between scientists within the region, between regional scientists and Swedish scientists and also link up with international experts.

Mariculture in the WIO Region -

“Challenges and Prospects”

Zanzibar 30/11- 3/12, 2009

Background

Coastal aquaculture development within the Western Indian Ocean region is now at a crossroad. Dwindling catches in capture fisheries and degradation of coastal ecosystems limit poor peoples access to affordable seafood and livelihoods. Aquaculture could be one solution for these problems, but the development of aquaculture has, as in the rest of Africa, so far been slow. However, the situation now seems to change and it is therefore timely to discuss and guide the development in the right direction. The many mistakes made in e.g. South East Asia need to be avoided, especially detrimental effects on coastal ecosystems and the many poor people depending on these systems. At the same time as pro-poor aquaculture initiatives should be developed there is also room for development of more industrial forms of aquaculture. But what kind of systems and what species should be in focus, and what special challenges does climate change bring for the development of aquaculture in the WIO region? Can recent initiatives on ecosystem approach to aquaculture guide the development? What success stories exist and what can be learned from failures?

Objectives

The initiative is a venture jointly financed by International Foundation for Science (IFS) and Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), and in collaboration with The Beijer Institute. Core funding comes from the Swedish International Developmental Agency (SIDA) and The Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (MISTRA). The overall objectives are to contribute to sustainable coastal aquaculture development in the East Africa region through addressing key research and development issues, capacity building and establishment of networks. Additional objective is to strengthen the collaboration between scientists within the region, between regional scientists and Swedish scientists and also link up with international experts.