African Ruminant Science (Agri/Animal Science) | 11 July 2007
A Data Descriptor for Aquaculture Development and Food Security in Coastal Angola, 2007
I, s, a, b, e, l, a, d, o, s, S, a, n, t, o, s, N, e, t, o, ,, P, a, u, l, o, K, i, a, l, a, ,, M, a, r, i, a, d, a, C, o, n, c, e, i, ç, ã, o, D, o, m, i, n, g, o, s
Abstract
Aquaculture is a strategic sector for enhancing food security and economic diversification in coastal West Africa. In Angola, following a prolonged period of conflict, there was a need to rebuild and assess the potential of its aquaculture sector. Systematic, spatially-referenced data on aquaculture sites, their characteristics, and socio-economic context were lacking, hindering evidence-based planning. This data descriptor documents a foundational geospatial dataset on aquaculture development in coastal Angola. The objective was to systematically catalogue operational and potential aquaculture sites, recording their physical attributes, production systems, and perceived constraints to inform policy and research. Data were collected via a structured survey administered to provincial fisheries directors and aquaculture officers in all coastal provinces. The survey captured location, system type, species cultured, infrastructure status, and key challenges. Data were validated through cross-referencing with provincial reports and compiled into a unified geodatabase with associated attribute tables. The dataset catalogues 74 distinct aquaculture sites. Analysis reveals a dominance of freshwater pond aquaculture (approximately 70% of sites) over brackish-water systems. A recurrent constraint identified is the limited access to quality seed stock and formulated feeds, cited as a primary bottleneck for over 60% of operational sites. This dataset provides a baseline for monitoring aquaculture development in Angola. It clarifies the sector's structure and pinpoints infrastructural and input-supply challenges that must be addressed to realise its potential for food security. Future data collection should incorporate detailed production and yield metrics. The dataset should be updated periodically to track expansion. Researchers are encouraged to utilise this data for spatial analysis and socio-economic studies linking aquaculture to livelihood outcomes. Aquaculture, food security, geospatial data, Angola, small-scale fisheries, agricultural development This work provides the first systematic, province-level geospatial dataset on aquaculture sites in coastal Angola, intended as a resource for researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners focused on agricultural development and food security in the region.