This study assessed the sustainability of capture-based aquaculture (CBA) practices in Egypt, identified challenges, and proposed solutions to enhance sustainability. It relied on published data and studies, revealing that these practices are globally widespread for cultivating a diverse range of marine and freshwater species based on wild seed collection. The assessment showed that these practices in Egypt cultivate a variety of fish species. In 2021, they contributed to approximately 34% of the total aquaculture production, amounting to an estimated value of USD 1.476 billion, representing about 57% of the total value of the aquaculture sector. Additionally, these practices provided around 106,022 full-time jobs. Official fishery statistics have not indicated any negative impact of CBA on fish stocks over the past 30 years. Measures aimed at enhancing the sustainability of these practices included granting licenses for the collection of wild seeds for specific species under specific regulations. Facilitating licensing procedures for hatcheries, providing incentives, and promoting farmers’ preferences for hatchery seed were also part of these measures. Furthermore, these actions include facilitating access to financing under favorable conditions, selective breeding, training hatchery workers in best management practices, implementing biosecurity measures, and establishing an accurate statistical system. The implementation of the proposed plan to transition from capture-based aquaculture to hatchery-based aquaculture will contribute to achieving sustainability for both aquaculture and fisheries.

African catfish farmers used animal waste as feed to reduce production costs, a practice that raised concerns among consumers, causing them to avoid it. Consequently, this study aimed to explore factors that influenced the acceptance of farmed African catfish. The data survey involving 2294 participants from Egypt was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. The results indicated that 67% of participants abstained from consuming it, while 2.30% consumed it regularly. The chi-square test revealed significant consumption pattern variations (p < 0.05) based on most demographic factors. Entirely, 43% were uninformed about the nutritional value, market availability, and the potential impact of using aquafeeds on pricing. About 55–57% lacked information on feeding practices, had quality concerns, viewed catfish consumption as a health risk, and were unaware of its prices. Additionally, 68% were worried about pollution, and 76% found the available information insufficient. The main reasons for this challenge lie in consumers’ health, religious, and psychological concerns. To address this, we propose a targeted marketing strategy focusing on improving safety and quality through safe and cost-effective aquafeeds. This involves requiring farmers to obtain quality certifications and adhere to best management practices, adding value to the product, and transparent communication with consumers to provide them with reliable information about cultivation practices and the nutritional value of African catfish. Effective collaboration among key stakeholders in implementation, efficient sector management, establishing an activity licensing system, and prohibiting current feeding practices will enhance sustainable demand and reverse the declining production trend of this promising species.

This research provided a comprehensive analysis of the impact of different ownership models on aquaculture productivity in Egypt. It delved into the trends in the fish farming land area changes from 2011 to 2020 and investigated how ownership models influence aquaculture productivity. This study relied on secondary data, which underwent rigorous analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to discern variations between ownership models. Additionally, Tukey's HSD Test was applied to identify specific differences. The findings are significant, highlighting substantial disparities in farm productivity in Egypt based on ownership models. Private-owned farms emerge as the most productive, followed by temporary and rental farms, while government-owned farms exhibit the lowest productivity, accounting for a mere 1% of total production. However, these governmental farms occupy 14% of the total farm area. The study underscored the importance of supporting private sector involvement and enhancing the productivity of government-owned farms, especially larger projects. These insights are invaluable for policymakers seeking to promote sustainable aquaculture development in Egypt.

Recent fluctuations in global and local wheat prices have sparked a growing interest in reducing the importation of this essential crop. The primary goal of this study was to assess the technical and economic aspects of wheat cultivation in integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems, as well as identifying farmer challenges and proposing strategies to address these challenges. Following the 2023 wheat harvest season, a survey was administered to wheat farmers in Kafr El-Sheikh, El-Sharqia, and El-Buhaira Governorates, with 32 respondents. The wheat production function was developed using the Cobb-Douglas production function after analyzing the data using cost-benefit analysis. The results indicate that farmers prefer cultivating winter wheat to mitigate the risks associated with the cold tolerance of the Nile tilapia and reduce their dependence on irrigation. The average cost per hectare is around USD 49, yielding a total return of USD 1,752, a net profit of USD 1,402, and an impressive return on investment of 401%. Furthermore, the production function analysis highlighted the impact of fertilizers and pest control management on wheat productivity, with seed selection playing a significant role. Labor and location, on the other hand, did not show statistically significant relationships. Despite these promising results, wheat farmers in fish ponds face several challenges hindering the expansion and improvement of this practice. These challenges include the absence of a unified fertilization program, pest-related issues, a lack of agricultural guidance, government-imposed price constraints, difficulties in balancing fish and wheat farming, high groundwater levels, and legal issues related to wheat cultivation in integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems. The study's findings provided a comprehensive set of strategies to address these challenges, aiming to promote the broader adoption of these sustainable practices to maximize returns from land and water with minimal environmental impact and contribute to food security.