Enos Were, the managing director of Jewlet Fish Farms, is a pioneer who has transformed East Africa’s aquaculture industry by training countless fish farmers, researchers and government officials, as well as developing his own successful independent farm.
Alternative proteins are often cited as being better – environmentally, ethically and nutritionally – than farmed seafoods, but the reality is much more complex and far less clear-cut than some alt-protein evangelists realise.
Regenerative and restorative aquaculture operations, such as seaweed farms, can be economically – as well as ecologically – sound, according to two of the key players in the space.
There are those who argue that farming is a way of life and not a business, but in today's modern, competitive and global agriculture/agribusiness environment, that mindset is the quickest way to lose money.
Bert Wecker, founder of Neomar, believes that farming tropical shrimp in temperate countries is on the verge of being highly profitable, and that the sector is all set for expansion, both in Europe and North America.
Senegal needs to step up its domestic oyster aquaculture sector to better meet domestic demand, according to Amy Gaye, FISH4ACP’s national professional officer in Senegal, who has been working on a new project for FISH4ACP.
The production of insects for aquafeeds is only going to gain momentum in the coming years, although there are still a number of challenges – in particular relating to regulations regarding the feedstocks for fly larvae – to overcome.