Launch of the Regional Aquatic Animal Health Network (Southern Africa)

After the launch of the first Regional Aquatic Animal Health Network (RAAHN) for North Africa (NA), in April 2023 (Tunis, Tunisia), this event represented the launch of the second Network, for the Southern Africa region (SA). The three day event (25 – 27 July 2023) was hosted in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka.

The aim of the workshop was to assist in identifying the options for establishing and operationalising a Regional Aquatic Animal Health Network (RAAHN) within the RECs as a strategy for strengthening the implementation of aquatic SPS measures for biosecurity control, improved market access and safe intra-regional fish trade.

Such Networks aim to provide a platform where the aquatic animal health sectors’ public and private stakeholders can share information and network to collectively develop, implement and monitor aquatic animal health strategies coherently.

Minister of Fisheries and Livestock of Zambia, Hon. Makozo Chikote. Picture (c) P. Bastiaensen (woah) 2023

The first day of the workshop included several presentations on WOAH Aquatic Animal Health Strategy, WOAH Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission and PVS for Aquatic Animals, in addition to fisheries-aquaculture industry status and opportunities for stakeholder participation in implementation of aquatic SPS measures to safeguard the sector and facilitate access to markets and trade in the region. This was followed by a situational analysis session highlighting awareness of existing networks, review/update of existing aquatic animal disease control strategies and aquatic animal disease situation in the region. Additional presentations focused on sharing existing experiences and showing benefits from the establishment of aquatic animal health (AAH) zoo-sanitary plans. Selected member countries, through their focal points, presented their national country profiles on surveillance, monitoring and reporting, opportunities, needs and challenges.