WorldFish and Türkiye forge partnership to advance aquatic food systems

TÜRKIYE – WorldFish and Türkiye’s General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture research and innovation.

The agreement, signed by Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish, and Dr. Mustafa Altuğ Atalay, Director General of TAGEM under Türkiye’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, was finalized last week and sets the stage for a new era of collaboration between the two institutions.

The partnership outlines a framework for scientific and technical cooperation encompassing fisheries, aquaculture, and food and nutritional security. 

It includes provisions for joint research projects, knowledge exchange, and training and capacity-building programs that aim to foster sustainable aquatic food systems.

Strengthening global food resilience

According to WorldFish, the collaboration will play a pivotal role in promoting climate-smart and resilient food systems, a growing priority amid global challenges such as climate change and food insecurity.

“In working with Türkiye’s leading agricultural research agency, we can accelerate innovations that improve livelihoods, nutrition, and environmental sustainability in both our regions and beyond,” said Dr. Mohammed. 

He emphasized that the partnership represents a shared vision to leverage aquatic foods as a source of resilience and prosperity for future generations.

Dr. Atalay echoed the sentiment, highlighting the partnership’s potential to advance marine agriculture research, particularly in areas such as capacity building, biodiversity, and fisheries innovation. 

“This step will enhance further cooperation with WorldFish and TAGEM. We believe this will contribute to marine agriculture research, especially in the area of capacity building, fisheries, aquaculture, and biodiversity,” he said. 

“In the short- and medium-term, I also believe that this cooperation will support global research and innovation.”

The MoU also includes plans for technical exchanges, symposia, and conferences that will promote knowledge sharing and advance the science of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries.

Expanding global collaboration in aquatic research

This new agreement builds on WorldFish’s growing network of partnerships designed to foster South–South cooperation in aquaculture and fisheries innovation. 

It comes on the heels of a recent India–Nigeria Aquaculture Knowledge Exchange Workshop, also organized under the WorldFish Capacity Sharing Accelerator Program, which brought together experts from both nations to share lessons in aquaculture success, innovation, and inclusion.

That workshop highlighted how collaboration between nations can drive transformation in aquatic food systems through technology transfer, joint research, and public–private partnerships. 

The new Türkiye–WorldFish MoU similarly underscores the importance of international cooperation in driving sustainability and food security.

Through this partnership, WorldFish and TAGEM aim to harness science, innovation, and policy to ensure sustainable aquatic food systems that deliver better nutrition, create jobs, and protect ecosystems.

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