Programme Objective:
To strengthen the capacity of people and agencies in the region to develop practical, coordinated and sustainable solutions to enhance the contributions of fish and fisheries to economic and human development in Africa. And to build a strategic response to HIV/AIDS in the fisheries sector that will generate benefits for vulnerable groups in wider society.

Programme Summary:
In the response to poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa there is an important role for fish and fisheries that support the livelihoods of millions of poor people on the continent. Small-scale fisheries in particular provide food and nutrition security, and generate economic opportunities for the poor throughout society, including those living with HIV/AIDS. In turn, good health among fisherfolk is a basic pillar of productive and sustainable fisheries that will deliver lasting development outcomes. On both sides of this equation, benefits are severely at risk, as per capita fish supply in sub-Saharan Africa is declining, and fisherfolk are among the populations most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.

The WorldFish Center, in partnership with FAO, is implementing a regional programme on Fisheries and HIV/AIDS in Africa, to strengthen the capacity in the region to develop sustainable solutions to enhance the contributions of fish and fisheries to economic and human development. In particular, the Programme is building a strategic response to HIV/AIDS in the fisheries sector that will generate benefits for vulnerable groups in wider society.

The Programme is conducting research-for-development activities in selected fishing communities in eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Through surveys and participatory qualitative research, the Programme is assessing key risk factors among highly vulnerable target groups, including female fish traders, migrant fisherfolk and youth. Based on insights from this research, Programme partners are piloting business-based interventions that will address some of these risk factors such as lack of services in remote fishing camps and transactional sex in the context of fish marketing. These pilot interventions will generate viable business models and options for wider support to the fisheries sector. Cross-regional comparison and learning will enhance the synthesis of research findings and models, to inform policy and planning processes in fisheries and HIV/AIDS at local, national and regional level.