WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2019 9 CHAPTER REPORTS This past quarter has been quite an eventful and momentous one for the African Chapter. I’m elated by the hard work and due diligence expressed by interim office bearers and advisors to take the Chapter to another level of progression. As a team, we managed to deliver on various planned programs and activities within our workplan. Firstly, the Chapter’s first permanent board was elected this August 2019. Our members were given the democratic right and opportunity to elect a board to take the Chapter forward. The process went smoothly, from nomination to actual balloting and was concluded in earnest on schedule, thanks to the constituted and effective Elections Committee and the WAS Home Office staff for getting the job done. We now have a permanent, elected Board of Directors! A big thank you to the Chapter membership for taking part in the voting. The new Board is comprised of: • President – Dr. Sherif Sadek (Egypt), former Interim President • President-elect – Dr. John Walakira (Uganda), former Interim President-elect • Secretary – Dr. Harrison Charo Karisa (Kenya, based in Egypt) • Treasurer – Dr. Bernice Mclean (South Africa) In addition, and in conformity to our bylaws, we also elected Regional Directors from the five regions of Africa and these are responsible for the management of Chapter business affairs in those respective regions. These are: • North Africa – Dr. Nevine Shabana (Egypt) • East Africa – Dr. Nelly Isyagi (Uganda) • West Africa – Mr. Lanre Badmus (Nigeria) • Central Africa – Dr. Francesca Delgado (Angola) • Southern Africa – Dr. Alexander Kefi (Zambia) As you can see, the new Board consists of officials from all the corners of Africa with various disciplines within aquaculture development. Most importantly, these are men and women “of influence” who have been involved in aquaculture development in Africa for awhile. Most have been members of WAS for awhile and have demonstrated passion to establish the Chapter ever since the call for establishment was made. I do certainly believe in this team and its competence to take the Chapter forward. Let’s rally behind them in all support to get things moving. This new Board will be officially inaugurated in South Africa this September. I would like to take a moment to especially thank the outgoing Interim Board members Ms. Zukiswa Nkhereanye (South Africa), Interim Secretary and Dr. Flower Msuya (Tanzania), Interim Treasurer, whom I worked with during the Interim Board tenure since July 2018. These two have demonstrated due passion and wisdom in support of decisionAfrican Chapter (CONTINUED ON PAGE 12) It is my pleasure to write this column as the 2019-2020 President of the Asia-Pacific Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS-APC). After four decades of employment and involvement in the global aquaculture arena, I am now honored to lead the WASAPC during the 2019-2020 period, continuing the strong foundation laid by my predecessors. I am also fortunate and blessed with a strong team of Directors, who have already taken responsibilities in different domains of the Chapter’s activities. The World Aquaculture Society has a long history and has been very active in Asia. Benefitting from large populations such as India and Indonesia, the WAS-APC has performed well, with massive conferences and meetings, bringing all parties together to discuss crucial aspects of aquaculture, particularly relevant to Asia and the Pacific. These discussions are paramount for maintaining Asia’s continued leadership in global aquaculture. Asia has accounted for about 89 percent of world aquaculture production for over two decades. Over the same period, Africa and the Americas have lifted their respective shares in world total production, while those of Europe and Oceania have dropped slightly. Among major producing countries, Egypt, Nigeria, Chile, India, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Bangladesh and Norway have strengthened their share in regional or world production to varying degree over the past two decades. China has gradually weakened its share in global production from 65 percent in 1995 to less than 62 percent in 2016. However, of the ten top aquaculture producers in the world, nine countries are in Asia. The contribution of aquaculture to food and nutrition security and social and economic development in Asia is clear. In 2014, 84 percent of the global population engaged in the fisheries and aquaculture sector was in Asia. More than 18 million (33 percent of all people employed in the sector) were engaged in fish farming, and 94 percent of all aquaculture engagement was in Asia. These statistics clearly indicate the important and increasing contribution of aquaculture to Asian regional food and nutrition security and socio-economic development. We have clear evidence to show how aquaculture contributes to better livelihoods by creating employment along the value chain, thus increasing income and providing a nutritious and affordable animal food source to the region, more importantly to much needed poor and vulnerable communities, including women and children. Aquaculture will continue to grow, expand and intensify in Asia. If the sector is to be sustainable, not only should Asian Pacific Chapter (CONTINUED ON PAGE 12)
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