Project Overview:
The Central Asian region has considerable potential to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. However, institutional capacity building for increased production, sustainable management and development of freshwater aquaculture remains a challenge.
This project builds on the results of the Central Asia Regional Programme for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (FISHDev), which was implemented between 2009 and 2014 under FTPP I and complements the institutional capacity building and training activities undertaken by the Central Asian and Caucasus Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission (CACFish).
The FISHCap project aims to:
- improve institutional capacity for sustainable management, planning, protection and development of aquaculture resources in a participatory manner, especially for youth and women in beneficiary countries;
- improve the skill and knowledge base in inland aquaculture and culture-based fisheries for smallholder fish farms and commercial SMEs;
- enhance the frameworks for fish safety, quality assurance, processing, marketing, and international market access;
- strengthen the capacity for aquaculture research and educational opportunities, especially for youth and women;
- transfer best management practices, aquaculture business plans, technical knowledge and technology for fish farming; and support the work of CACFish.
Project results will be executed through enhanced partnerships with local, national and regional organizations, government agencies, NGOs, fish farmer associations and other structures, in a way which also contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The primary beneficiaries of the project will be governmental technical staff involved in the management of aquaculture, fisheries research and education institutions; policy-makers, extension agents, fish farmers, hatchery managers and representatives of fishers’ organizations, traders, and processors, especially SMEs.
Special emphasis will be placed on the actively including and engaging with women and youth in project activities.