Aquaculture in Tunisia has seen remarkable growth over the past few decades, evolving into a key contributor to food security, economic development, and sustainability. As one of the Mediterranean’s leading aquaculture producers, Tunisia boasts diverse aquaculture activities ranging from inland farming to marine fish cultivation, shellfish farming, and spirulina production. This session will showcase Tunisia’s aquaculture journey, with a focus on its progress in health and biosecurity, scientific innovation, and the capacity-building initiatives that drive the sector’s growth. Through a combination of presentations, success stories, and expert discussions, we will highlight Tunisia’s achievements while addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The session aims to foster regional cooperation and encourage partnerships to support sustainable and resilient aquaculture development in Tunisia and beyond.

Objective of the Session

The primary goal of this session is to showcase Tunisia’s achievements and contributions to sustainable aquaculture. It aims to enhance understanding of the country’s regulatory and developmental landscape, foster partnerships, and encourage knowledge-sharing. Additionally, the session will discuss how Tunisia is addressing global and regional challenges in aquaculture, including disease management, biosecurity, and sustainable feed practices, making this an important forum for future initiatives and investments.

Expected Outcomes

This session aims to:

• Increase international visibility for Tunisia’s aquaculture achievements and capacities.
• Foster regional and international partnerships for research, development, and investment in Tunisian aquaculture.
• Identify new opportunities for advancing sustainability, biosecurity, and feed innovation within the aquaculture sector.
• Strengthen Tunisia’s position as a regional hub for aquaculture expertise and encourage the transfer of knowledge and best practices.

The session will gather a diverse audience, including:

• Public sector representatives: government officials, regulatory authorities, and public organizations.
• Private sector stakeholders: aquaculture farmers, industry associations, cooperatives, processors, exporters, and feed companies.
• Investors interested in exploring growth opportunities in the Tunisian aquaculture sector.
• Researchers and academics from universities and research institutions.

Preliminary Agenda for the Session:

1. Introduction and Context of Aquaculture in Tunisia
   • A historical look at the evolution of the aquaculture sector and a review of the regulatory framework that has supported its growth.
   • How Tunisia is aligning its aquaculture practices with the SDGs, with a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
2. Progress in Health and Biosecurity
   • An overview of Tunisia’s health surveillance systems, biosecurity measures, and strategies for managing aquatic diseases.
   • Key accomplishments and ongoing efforts in disease prevention, control, and biosecurity that are critical for sector resilience.
3. Scientific Research and Innovation
   • Presentation of significant research projects that are advancing aquaculture practices in Tunisia.
   • Innovations in aquaculture technology and sustainable practices that are driving sectoral growth.
4. Aquaculture Training and Education
   • Review of Academic programs and vocational training in aquaculture, highlighting capacity-building efforts.
5. Video and Testimonials: Tunisian Success Stories
   • Testimonials from industry leaders and entrepreneurs highlighting achievements and growth stories within the sector.
6. Questions and Discussions
   • Open exchange with participants and international experts to strengthen collaboration and explore new development pathways.
   • A focus discussion on sustainable aquaculture feed, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the regional and Tunisian contexts.