African Nations Produce Over 7 Million Tons of Aquatic Animals Yearly

African countries produce more than 7 million tons of aquatic animals annually through marine capture fisheries. At a regional workshop organized by the CITES Secretariat and the FAO, authorities from 22 coastal countries pledged to strengthen cooperation and improve implementation of the Convention through national fisheries laws. CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero and FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa Farayi Zimudzi stressed that lawful, sustainable management of fisheries and aquatic resources is vital to food security and livelihoods.