AFRICA AQUACULTURE WELFARE CONFERENCE 2025 AGENDA
AQUAWEL Conference 2025
Theme: Strengthening Fish and Aquaculture Welfare for a Sustainable and Ethical Blue Economy in Africa
Date: June 17 – 18, 2025
Venue: Zoom (Virtual Conference)
- 9:00AM to 3:15PM (WAT)
Day 1: Foundations & Global Perspectives
Day 2: Integration, Implementation & Advocacy
Day 1: Foundations & Global Perspectives
Focus: Setting the Stage – Understanding Fish and Aquaculture Welfare in Africa & Beyond
09:00 – 09:30 AM (GMT) | Opening Session
- Welcome Address – Conference Chair
- Keynote Speeches: The Future of Aquatic Animal Welfare in Africa
09:30 – 10:30 AM | Plenary Panel Discussion
Topic: Global Best Practices in Fish and Aquaculture Welfare – Lessons for Africa
- Panelists: Experts from academia, industry, and policymaking
- Interactive Q&A with panelists and participants
10:30 – 12:00 PM | Thematic Abstract Presentations (Parallel Tracks)
Format: Oral Presentations + Audience Q&A
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Break & Networking
- Virtual Networking and Thematic Discussion Rooms
1:00 – 2:00 PM | Policy & Governance Panel Discussion
Topic: Legal and Policy Frameworks for Fish and Aquaculture Welfare in Africa
- Expert roundtable discussion and Policy recommendations
- Interactive Q&A with panelists and participants
2:00 – 3:00 PM | Industry & Practical Innovations Panel Discussion
Topic: Transforming Fish Farming Practices: A Sustainability and Welfare Approach for Industries
- Industry perspectives from fisheries and aquaculture entrepreneurs
- Discussion on certification, consumer demand, and sustainable production
- Interactive Q&A with panelists and participants
3:00 – 3:15 PM | Day 1 Wrap-Up & Reflections
- Summary of key takeaways
- Announcements for Day 2
Day 2: Integration, Implementation & Advocacy
Focus: Moving from Knowledge to Action – Implementation Strategies & Multi-Sectoral Engagement
09:15 – 09:30 AM | Recap of Day 1 & Icebreaker Activity
- Summary of Day 1 discussions
- Interactive Polls & Participant Engagement
09:30 – 10:30 AM | One Health & Fish Welfare Panel
Topic: Integrating Fish and Aquaculture Welfare into the One Health Framework
- Experts discuss the interconnections between fish welfare, public health, and environmental sustainability
- Policy implications & cross-sectoral collaborations
- Interactive Q&A with panelists and participants
10:30 – 12:00 PM | Thematic Abstract Presentations (Parallel Tracks)
Format: Oral Presentations + Audience Q&A
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break & Networking
- Virtual Networking and Thematic Discussion Rooms
1:00 – 2:00 PM | Capacity Building & Training Session
Topic: Strengthening Education & Training on Welfare Practices for Fish and Aquaculture Professionals in Africa
- Interactive workshop on capacity-building strategies
- Launch of the country-specific Fish Welfare training guides developed for 8 African countries
- Interactive Q&A with panelists and participants
2:00 – 3:00 PM | Action Plan Roundtable Discussion
Topic: What’s Next? Defining the Roadmap for Africa’s future integrating Aquaculture Welfare and Blue Economy
- Breakout discussions by sector (research, policy, industry, advocacy)
- Participants contribute to an action plan for Aquaculture Welfare and Blue Economy in Africa
3:00 – 3:30 PM | Closing Ceremony & Next Steps
- Summary of Conference Resolutions
- Recognition of Outstanding Contributions (Best Abstracts, Best Presentations, etc.)
- Call to Action & Next Steps for AQUAWEL Community