Aquaculture and food security

Nutritionally, fish is one of the cheapest and direct sources
of protein and micro nutrient for millions of people in
Africa (Bene and Heck, 2005). With steady decline in
capture fisheries, aquaculture is a readily, veritable tool in
the provision of fish eaten all over the continent. Unlike
some other animal products, fish is widely acceptable. Its
acceptability cut across social, cultural and religious backgrounds.
The United Nations predicted a population of
1188 million in Africa (medium variation) by 2010 (Muir et
al., 2005). To maintain food fish consumption at the present
level of 5 to 45 kg per person per year depending on
the country, (Table 3 and 4) supplies of fish must increase
tremendously.
However, with the current supply trends combined with
ever increasing population, the per capita consumption of
fish in Africa is stagnating and in Sub-Saharan Africa has
fallen drastically (Muir et al., 2005). To arrest this deployrable
condition and boost production of fish aquaculture
remains the only feasible option that can sustain adequate
fish supply in Africa.

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