After a successful Eye Camp in Bamenda in the North West region of Cameroon last year, Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation – MASHAV was in the headlines again for the organization of an on-the-spot course on Aquaculture in Yabassi in the Littoral Region of Cameroon.

For twelve days (4th – 15th March 2013), two MASHAV experts Dr Ytzhak Bejerano and Dr. Shmuel Rothbard shared their wealth of experience with students of the Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Together, both experts have delivered dozens of aquaculture training courses in various African countries and were positive about the future of aquaculture in Cameroon.

Over 30 students, teachers, researchers and fish farmers took part in the training which, as they reported unanimously though variously, was rich, practical and adapted to suit the knowledge needs of the local population.

Over the past few years, records have shown that Cameroon is a net importer of fish. According to a Cameroon Tribune report, Cameroon spends over 100 billion FCFA per year on the importation of fish despite a long coastline and an excellent network of waterways inland around which a very productive intensive fishing industry could be built.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Course, Israel's Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Miki ARBEL said that although Israel is largely desert land, research and good aquaculture practice had allowed for the development of a blossoming fish industry and that Israel (through MASHAV) is very proud to share its experience with Cameroon. He added that the course marked an important step in the diversification of MASHAV training in Cameroon as previous course had mainly covered the area of Irrigation and Water Management.

The Director of the Institute of fisheries thanked the MASHAV experts for sharing their experience and said that the contribution they had made to the training of their students was priceless. She also thanked MASHAV for its constant support of development initiatives in Cameroon.