The AIR Centre is taking part in the RAFAQUA meeting, taking place on 7 and 8 October in Dakar, Senegal, alongside the Salon International de l'Aquaculture de Dakar (SIAq 2026). The event brings together public authorities responsible for aquaculture and fisheries research institutions from across the Atlantic African region to discuss the sustainable development of the sector.
Created under COMHAFAT/ATLAFCO in 2021, RAFAQUA serves as a platform for cooperation among national institutions responsible for aquaculture, supporting the exchange of expertise and coordination on common challenges. This year's meeting is jointly organised with RAFISMER, ATLAFCO's network of fisheries research institutes, under the theme Development of Sustainable Aquaculture.
Representing the AIR Centre, Ana Faria presented the organisation's work in Atlantic aquaculture, highlighting ongoing projects, engagement in policy dialogue and support for international cooperation. The presentation also explored how the Atlantic Aquaculture Forum contributes to priorities identified by RAFAQUA members, including sector assessment, regulatory frameworks, capacity building and the uptake of new technologies.
The RAFAQUA meeting is immediately followed by the Atlantic Aquaculture Forum 2026 (AAF26), organised by the AIR Centre in partnership with Senegal's Agence Nationale de l'Aquaculture (ANA) on 8 and 9 October in Dakar. Endorsed by UNESCO-IOC as an official UN Ocean Decade Activity, AAF26 will bring together policymakers, investors, producers, researchers and international organisations from across the Atlantic.
Discussions will focus on regulatory frameworks and market access, aligning investment with governance, and the use of digital and AI-based tools to support aquaculture management in low-data contexts. By taking place back-to-back, the two events strengthen links between policy, research and industry, while fostering cooperation to support a more sustainable and resilient aquaculture sector across the Atlantic.
Innovation
calendar_today October 7, 2026
The first edition of the International Aquaculture Exhibition (SIAq) is taking place from 6 to 8 October at the Centre international du commerce extérieur du Sénégal (CICES), in Dakar. The exhibition, which opened today, brings together around 500 experts from some 30 countries, and the AIR Centre is among the participants.
Innovation
calendar_today October 6, 2026
The 4th EU–Caribbean Global Gateway Sargassum Conference: Shaping a Caribbean Sargassum Value Chain was held on 1 and 2 October 2026 in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
calendar_today October 5, 2026
The AIR Centre participated in the UNEP FI Iberian Sustainable Finance Forum, held on 29 September in Lisbon and hosted by Caixa Geral de Depósitos. The event brought together financial institutions and key stakeholders to discuss emerging global risks, climate transition, nature-positive finance and sustainable investment strategies, fostering dialogue on how the financial sector can strengthen resilience and accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable future.
