Rebecca Hayward
Cathy Jacob
Small-scale fisheries provide livelihoods for millions across Africa and Asia. They account for 90 percent of the world’s fisheries employment, yet face growing threats from challenges like overfishing, marine degradation and climate change. The Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) is helping to change that, supporting small-scale fish workers to expand their businesses, while addressing the challenges they face.
Working in Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania and Bangladesh, AABS is a transformative initiative focused on sustainably improving aquatic food systems. Funded by UK International Development under the Blue Planet Fund, and implemented by WorldFish in collaboration with multiple partners, AABS aims to strengthen coastal livelihoods while promoting nature-positive outcomes aligned with global sustainability goals.
Laying Groundwork for Change
AABS in-country teams and partners have collected baseline data through scoping studies and mapping exercises, and identified sites to demonstrate how evidence-based innovations can be effectively implemented. For example, in Nigeria, local enumerators were trained in collecting baseline data ahead of trialing integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)—a system in which the waste and other byproducts from one aquatic species are used as fertilizers or food for another.
In Kenya and Tanzania, workshop participants applied a mapping approach to identify factors that could help to reduce fish loss and waste. While in Bangladesh, a workshop brought together stakeholders from the fisheries, research and conservation sectors to analyze how current measures for coastal conservation could better support fishing communities.
Achieving Results
As AABS progresses into its third year, its impact is becoming more evident. In Kenya, for example, AABS collaborated with Simply Solar, a Germany-based solar technology company, and local company Kuza Freezers to distribute solar-powered freezers in Kilifi County. This climate-smart solution helps reduce aquatic food waste by extending the storage life of fish.
By installing these freezers on a pay-as-you-go basis, AABS is enabling fishing communities in Umoja and Mtwapa to store fish for longer, charge a fair price for their catch (sometimes nearly double what they were able to charge previously), and access broader markets with fresher produce.
Promoting Gender Equity
The introduction of solar-powered freezers was welcomed by Umoja, a women-led organization that supports off-grid fishing communities. In low-income countries like Kenya, women represent nearly half the fisheries and aquaculture workforce, and comprise up to 90 percent of those engaged in post-harvest activities like processing and trading; yet they often face barriers in accessing preservation technologies, credit and decision-making platforms.
AABS aims to address such inequity by ensuring that women are included at every stage of the project’s implementation. AABS and partners have therefore conducted a study to uncover how gender dynamics influence fish loss and waste in fisheries value chains. In the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar, AABS supported the formation of ZAUFA, a new women’s fishing association that marks a significant development for the region.
Enabling Knowledge Exchange
Knowledge exchange is fundamental to Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway—enabling countries to learn from one another’s experiences, and implement and adapt what works best locally. AABS has organized a series of engaging workshops and site visits, bringing stakeholders from all target countries together to share experiences and insights.
For example, a delegation from Zanzibar visited Kenya to learn about incentivizing local communities in sustainable fishery management and marine conservation. “We visited Kisite Island, which has a rich environment ideal for conservation, especially for fish, octopus and tourism.”, said Abdallah Ally, a fisher from Zanzibar. He highlighted that the delegation would be applying what they had learned on their return to Kenya: “While Zanzibar may have better sites, they lack the efficiency seen here. We aim to share our findings and advise the government to improve our areas to this standard or beyond.”
In April 2024, government representatives from Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania traveled to Timor-Leste on a knowledge exchange visit to share experiences and find out how best to gather data on small-scale fisheries. In particular, they learnt about Peskas—an open-source web portal being used by AABS to co-create and scale contextualized digital information systems.
Expanding Projects in Year 3
Detailed plans are now up and running for each of the implementation countries. These plans include continued environmental monitoring, research trials and economic analysis; pilot projects to demonstrate best practice in sustainable technologies; and site-specific training to scale up activities.
With over 20 implementing partners, including in-country research institutes, non-governmental organizations and government agencies, AABS is broadening its collaboration. The project team is also deepening its engagement with the private sector. In Bangladesh, for example, AABS is working with the fishing industry to develop a product standardization and certification system for IMTA which will also include marketing strategies for seaweed and green mussels.
As part of the Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) program, AABS ensures information, data and best practices are shared widely with COAST partners. And it will continue to participate in regional and global summits including Aquaculture Africa, COP30 and Ocean Innovation Africa.
Maintaining a prominent presence will help strengthen AABS’s essential work on the ground—carried out in collaboration with coastal communities and marine conservation partners towards a climate-resilient future for a critical industry.
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