The Regional Delegation of the Chamber of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forest of Cameroon (CAPEF) in collaboration with the Organisation of Agricultural Professionals, brainstormed with experts in the sector December 01.

The objective is to seek solutions on how to increase national production
According to 2012 national statistics, Cameroon produces 110,000 tons of fish which is far below demand that stand at 300,000 tons.

To bridge the gap, 190,000 tons of fish imported yearly amounts to FCFA 150 billion.

In the meeting that held alongside the third edition of the Regional Fish Fair, experts came out with a good number of problems plaguing the sector.

Lack of huge finances by actors is one of the most important difficulties they face. According to the Regional Delegate of CAPEF who is also President of the Organisation of Agricultural Professionals, Konanga Julbert, to carry out fish farming on a space of about 300 metre square would cost at least FCFA two million which is too much for an artisanal fish farmer to mobilise. To an Engineer in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Eros Ekwalla, the lack of adequate fishing equipment is another reason why the demand and supply gap will hardly be met.

The equipment which are as well expensive leaves artisanal fishermen with no choice than to labour with archaic equipment, catching very little fish at the end of the day. The lack of sufficient training is also to blame for the insignificant quantity of fish produced. Since most fishermen can swim, they consider they can go fishing at any time. Some don’t even know what to fish, at what time to fish and no go areas in the waters. Having knowledge on fishing techniques will improve productivity.

During the Fish fair celebrated on the theme: “The Development of Fishing and Aquaculture,” the Vice President of CAPEF, Dr Nganko Jean Marie disclosed that the fair is also to fight against the high cost of living.

If youths are trained and encouraged to venture in the sector, Dr Nganko is optimistic that productivity will increase. To him, studies by researchers in the sector point out that the nation cannot rely on wild fishing only, but aquaculture, thus, a well-organised fishing and fish farming is the way out.