Tanzania signs hosting agreement for major aquaculture conference
Event offers country 'a unique opportunity to highlight achievements and potential'
A major aquaculture conference that is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates from over 100 countries has been officially launched in Tanzania.
Conference organiser the World Aquaculture Society selected Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries as host in recognition of the country’s rapid growth in aquaculture and its commitment to advancing the Blue Economy.
World Aquaculture Tanzania 2026 Conference (WA26T), which will take place at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam from December 1-4, was launched this week with the signing of the conference hosting agreement.
The ceremony at the Tanzania Fisheries Corporation (TAFICO) premises in Dar es Salaam was officiated by the livestock and fisheries minister Dr Bashiru Ally Kakurwa and attended by several high-level delegates from the Ministry.
Investment potential
The conference, under the theme “Aquaculture Driving Blue Transformation”, will feature keynote addresses from internationally renowned experts, scientific and technical presentations, policy dialogues, business-to-business networking opportunities, and an international exhibition showcasing the latest technologies, products, and services across the aquaculture value chain.
A WAS spokesperson said: “WA26T will be a unique opportunity for Tanzania to highlight its achievements, investment potential, research capability, and innovations while strengthening collaboration with global partners.”
The launch event also included the official release of the Aquatic Foods Recipe Book – Tanzania, available in printed and digital format, which aims to promote the consumption of aquatic foods, strengthen fisheries and aquaculture value chains, improve nutrition, and create new market opportunities for aquatic food products.
The book was developed by Tanzania’s government in collaboration with WorldFish and Aquatic BioSolutions Tanzania (ABiST) under the Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region (PROFISHBLUE).
Nutritional insecurity
“This recipe book emerges within the context of persistent food and nutritional insecurity across the SADC, despite the region’s rich fisheries and aquaculture resources,” writes WorldFish on its website.
“High stunting rates, widespread micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency among women of reproductive age, and low per capita fish consumption underscore the urgent need to promote nutrient-dense aquatic foods. Recognising the critical role these foods play in providing high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals, this initiative contributes to advancing the region’s health and nutrition agenda.”
Conference sponsors, exhibitors, presenters (abstracts), and the general aquaculture community are now invited to register for December’s conference.
For registration, exhibition opportunities, abstract submissions, special sessions, travel details, and other relevant information, please visit the official WA26T website.
Government backing
Tilapia is the primary farmed finfish in Tanzania, along with African catfish. Most finfish farming is small scale and takes place in the more than 20,000 earthen ponds in the country, but larger-scale cage farming also takes place on Lake Victoria.
According to WorldFish, Tanzania’s combined fish production from both capture fisheries and aquaculture was about 510,000 tonnes last year, falling short to meet is current demand estimated at 715,606 tonnes. Aquaculture contributed 8.5% of that 510,000 tonnes and the Tanzanian government is keen to grow the sector.
Its initiatives include new aquaculture officers to strengthen services, an online portal to simplify application of permits, and establishment of fish farming field schools to enhance adoption of good aquaculture practices.
It also applies an exemption of value added tax and import duty on selected aquaculture inputs and equipment, undertaking zonation for cage fish farming in large water bodies, and giving interest free soft loans to stimulate investment in commercial aquaculture.
