Africa harbours a rich biological diversity of native fish resources. Recognition of the potential to use these resources to make significant contributions towards improving African food security through aquaculture has existed for some time. A key challenge, however, is achieving compatibility between the two urgent, but sometimes conflicting, goals of reducing poverty and food insecurity in Africa through aquaculture development while paying due attention to the conservation of natural biodiversity and fish genetic resources (FiGR). In this paper we highlight the overarching challenges concerning the conservation and exploitation of FiGR for the long‐term development of aquaculture for food production in Africa. We address the major issues requiring attention in genetic improvement programs in order to take full advantage of the highly diverse wild FiGR in Africa, and we expand on strategies such as zoning, environmental risk analysis and molecular characterization approaches that can be used to minimize the potential harm to wild FiGR arising from aquaculture activities and future development. Finally, we discuss the challenge of strengthening local capacity. The enhancement of local capacity is essential because it will enable the fundamental link required to achieve the desired outcome of increasing the productivity of aquatic animals for food in Africa in a sustainable manner. We trust that this paper will provide a good basis for an in‐depth discussion of the subject, as well as guidance on future research and development priorities for the compatible exploitation and conservation of FiGR in Africa.
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There are 58 species of Clarias recognized in FishBase (as of January 2009), 33 in Africa and 25 in Asia. Aquaculture of clariids is important with 30 countries reporting a total production of over 300 000 t worth nearly US$400 million in 2006. Most production involves the African Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) and three Asian species, Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758), Clarias macrocephalus (Günther, 1864) and Clarias fuscus (Lacep'de, 1803). In much of Asia, hybrids of introduced C. gariepinus with native species dominate aquaculture and may pose threats to the purity and viability of wild populations. Many local strains have evolved within farms, some of which have been described and included in genetic management programs. Genetic variation among species and populations is significant, but to date little work on selective breeding of the group has been reported. Conservation efforts have so far focused on ex situ methods, primarily for farmed stocks, but these are few and expensive and farmed stocks are often of lower genetic diversity than wild stocks. In situ conservation of genetic material, both for aquaculture and for the maintenance of fitness in wild populations in light of changes occurring in the watershed, needs to be considered as a more viable long‐term strategy. The preservation of ecosystem functional integrity is thus a prerequisite for the long‐term conservation of Clarias genetic resources for food and aquaculture.
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