Over the last twenty years, fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific have grown significantly. This is good news for many of the 79 countries that make up the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (OACPS). Exports of fish and fishery products are vital to their national economies.

It is also good news for the people of ACP countries. Fish is a major source of affordable protein for the population and many people rely on the sector for their jobs and livelihoods, including a large proportion of women.

ACP countries see an urgent need to enhance the potential of their fisheries and aquaculture capacities in a way that also safeguards the sector’s long-term growth. 

The answer lies in cultivating better fisheries governance and more efficient value chains. In 2019, the OACPS Secretariat launched a five-year programme called FISH4ACP aimed at enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of fish value chains, while ensuring environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness.

FISH4ACP is coordinated by FAO with funding from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

It will work with twelve fisheries and aquaculture value chains from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to maximize economic returns and social benefits, while minimizing the detrimental effects on natural habitats and marine wildlife.