The African Union (AU) delivered a key presentation on fisheries and aquaculture policy in Uganda. (Image source: AU)

The African Union (AU), through its Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), delivered a key presentation on fisheries and aquaculture policy at a side event during the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) Conference in Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda, from 24 to 27 June 2025

Led by Simon Owani Olok, senior policy officer for Fisheries and Aquaculture at AU-IBAR, the presentation underscored the sector's critical role in the livelihoods of over 10 million Africans, "most of whom are among the rural poor." Despite their importance in food security and economic development, these sectors face threats from poor governance, institutional weaknesses, and over-exploitation of key fish stocks.

The AU has responded with major political commitments, including the 2014 Abuja Declarations and the 2015 World Summit on Sustainable Development, which led to the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS). Endorsed by Heads of State in Malabo in 2014, the PFRS aims to unlock the sector's full socio-economic potential through "market-led, sustainable strategies".

Key milestones include the African Fisheries Reform Mechanism (AFRM), APRIFAS, and the PRNFAA. A pan-African strategy for data collection and evidence-based policymaking has been launched, with 16 AU Member States aligning policies with the PFRS.

Member States bear primary responsibility for implementation, integrating fisheries into national plans and engaging stakeholders. The AU "remains committed to providing leadership and technical support" to ensure fisheries and aquaculture drive Africa's economic transformation. Further details are available on AU-IBAR's official website.

Aviagen is investing in local breeding stock production within Saudi Arabia. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Aviagen is continuing to enhance its supply chain and its ‘global reach, local touch’ strategy by investing in a Grandparent (GP) operation for the production and distribution of Parent Stock (PS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

This is a fully-owned Aviagen investment and the project is currently in the early stages of development.

Aviagen continues to recognise the strategic requirement for local, dedicated supply bases to ensure that Aviagen and all of our customers are best prepared to meet the increasing demand for poultry meat in this important, growing region. This investment will create a regional distribution hub for Aviagen brands, strengthening security of supply, and enhancing our ability to serve customers in KSA from a dedicated supply base within the region.

Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region present significant opportunities for the growth of poultry production and consumption. Aviagen is proud to support this development by investing in local breeding stock production within the Kingdom, aligning closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. With its strategic location and strong potential for industry growth, Saudi Arabia is an ideal location for this investment, providing access to key neighboring Gulf markets.

Tom Exley, President, Aviagen TMEA commented, “This strategic initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to the region, enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers through enhanced security of supply and tailored customer support. By investing locally, Aviagen is helping to strengthen the poultry industry and contribute to the region’s food security and economic development goals.”

ZIVO Bioscience and top animal health firm launch studies on poultry immune-boosting compounds

ZIVO Bioscience, Inc., a biotech and agtech research company developing immune-boosting compounds from proprietary algal cultures, has announced a new partnership with one of the world’s leading animal health companies

The collaboration focuses on advancing ZIVO’s novel biologics for use in the poultry industry and may expand to other livestock and companion animals in the future.

The companies have signed two agreements to conduct independent studies that will explore the potential of ZIVO’s compounds to support poultry health. The goal is to enhance existing vaccination strategies and help address diseases that continue to affect poultry production.

Expanding poultry protection

The first agreement involves a 42-day challenge study focused on coccidiosis, a common and damaging parasitic disease in poultry. This study aims to confirm earlier positive results from ZIVO’s compound, now used alongside the partner’s vaccine. It will also collect samples to evaluate new performance measures. Findings will support ZIVO’s regulatory process with the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics and help establish a strong business case for commercial use.

The second agreement outlines a study of ZIVO’s compounds using a model for a viral poultry disease that causes high mortality and has no available cure. The virus was chosen for its well-known in vivo model, clear clinical results and short testing timeline. The goal is to confirm the antiviral effects ZIVO has already observed in earlier trials, including reduced severity and spread of low-pathogenic avian influenza. Positive outcomes could lead to broader studies covering more viral diseases.

The collaborating animal health company will fully fund both studies. Researchers will assess how ZIVO’s compounds can shorten the time between vaccination and immunity, protect birds in vulnerable periods, enhance immune response and reduce the impact of diseases that suppress the immune system.

“This collaboration supports our strategy to partner with a major animal health company that brings scientific expertise and R&D infrastructure to advance our innovations to global markets efficiently and at scale,” said John Payne, chairman and CEO of ZIVO Bioscience. “We are aligned with this company on the broad applicability of our immune-modulating technology and its potential to create a disruptive, non-antibiotic therapeutic platform.”

New livestock feed initiative for Libya

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has launched the ‘365 Days of Fresh Feed’ project in the Tajoura district of Tripoli, Libya, to support the development of the livestock sector and contribute to sustainable feed production

The ‘Hasılmatik: 365 Days of Fresh Feed’ project was implemented by TİKA in cooperation with the Municipality of Tajoura.

The project, introduced for the first time in Libya, is expected to significantly improve feed production efficiency, according to TİKA’s Tripoli coordinator, Ali Suha Bacanakgil and would have a transformative impact on the livestock sector.

“In this project, wheat and barley seeds turn into fresh fodder within 7 to 10 days. The feed produced by Hasılmatik is much more efficient than dry feed. Animals can consume it entirely, including its sprouts and roots, with 100% digestibility,” he said.

Bacanakgil outlined the intention to increase the number of local stakeholders and expand cooperation across municipalities and agricultural cooperatives.

Tajoura Deputy Mayor Ayman Al-Salim highlighted the issue of groundwater scarcity in the region, stating that the project offered a significant solution to this problem in terms of livestock production.

“A simple system, low water usage, and high productivity — this project will revitalise animal husbandry,” he said.

Mahmoud Marwan, one of the local farmers benefiting from the project, emphasised that the ‘365 Days of Fresh Feed’ system saves both land and time and noted that the resulting product is suitable for cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry.

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