Activities
Workshop on Energy Transition in the Fisheries Sector: ATLAFCO Calls for Accelerating the Sustainable Transformation of African Fisheries
In Casablanca, ATLAFCO Member States took a major step forward by adopting ambitious recommendations to accelerate the energy transition, paving the way for a more competitive, resilient, and sustainable African fisheries sector in the face of climate and economic challenges.
Meeting in Casablanca from April 28 to 29, 2026, ATLAFCO Member States marked a significant milestone in the sustainable transformation of Africa’s fisheries sector. This strategic workshop resulted in the adoption of ambitious regional recommendations dedicated to the energy transition, laying the foundation for structured, coherent collective action tailored to the realities of the continent.
Against an international backdrop characterized by intensifying climate change, rising energy costs, and continued dependence on fossil fuels, the meeting helped shape a shared vision firmly focused on action. Discussions highlighted the need to integrate energy efficiency at every level of the fisheries value chain — from vessel construction and modernization to the optimization of port infrastructure, as well as seafood preservation and processing systems.
The adopted recommendations revolve around clear strategic priorities: strengthening national regulatory frameworks, improving access to climate financing — particularly through the Green Climate Fund — and promoting innovative, energy-efficient technological solutions adapted to local contexts. They also provide for the implementation of high-impact pilot projects, especially targeting ports, cold chains, and small-scale fisheries.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants unanimously stressed that the energy transition has now become a strategic imperative for enhancing the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of the African fisheries sector. They called for greater mobilization of Member States and stronger regional cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of the commitments to be undertaken.
Through this momentum, ATLAFCO reaffirms its leading role in promoting a modern, responsible, and environmentally sustainable African fisheries sector, while fostering a new dynamic for the sustainable development of the blue economy across the continent.
