Luanda: The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Carmem de Sacramento Neto, has reassured the business community about Angola's openness to investment in the river fishing sector, emphasizing the country's commitment to addressing the needs of fishermen and fish farmers.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister highlighted that despite significant government investments aimed at improving river fishing equipment and providing aquaculture feed, there remains ample opportunity for private investment. She made these remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction and expansion of the Ngolome Training and Fish Processing Centre.
Minister Neto outlined the Ministry's plans to enhance artisanal fishing through projects that include providing fishing equipment and artifacts. She also mentioned the rehabilitation of the Mucoso Irrigated Perimeter, which houses a feed factory, as part of these initiatives.
The head of the Fisheries Department of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture in Kwanza-Norte pointed out challenges faced by fish farmers due to rising feed prices. He noted that since the liberalization of the market, the state's previous role in securing feed supply has diminished, now being managed privately, which has resulted in higher market prices and a decline in fish farming activities.
He emphasized that Kwanza-Norte province possesses favorable conditions for aquaculture projects, which could have significant economic benefits. The province boasts abundant water resources, making it suitable for small, medium, and large-scale fish farming, which can be pursued by local peasants and farmers.
In Kwanza-Norte, there are 36 lagoons and 41 rivers, including the navigable Kwanza and Lucala rivers, offering vast potential for aquaculture. The main species farmed is catfish, especially tilapia, which is primarily sold in Luanda. The fish farming sector has created approximately 19 jobs in the province.
