Dr. Magdy Abdelwahed: A Lifelong Journey in Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
With a visionary approach to Egypt’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, Dr. Magdy Ahmed Abdelwahed has dedicated his life to advancing sustainable fish production, marine governance, and innovation. His career — spanning decades of service within the General Authority for Fish Resources Development (GAFRD) and through international collaborations — reflects an unwavering commitment to Egypt’s Blue Economy and the responsible use of aquatic resources.
Early Education and Career Beginnings
A graduate of Suez Canal University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, specializing in Animal Production. His professional career began in a private company affiliated with the General Authority for Investment, where he gained early experience in marine fish farming. He later joined a governmental fish farm, marking the start of his long and impactful career in Egypt’s public fisheries sector.
Leadership within the General Authority for Fish Resources Development
Over the years, Dr. Magdy rose through various positions within the General Authority for Fish Resources Development, contributing to multiple departments, including Marine Fisheries, Inland Waters, and Lakes Management. He supervised fisheries cooperatives, managed fishery statistics for Damietta, Dakahlia, and Sharqia Governorates, and contributed significantly to the annual statistical yearbook of the Authority.
He later served as Head of the Fisheries Office, Director of Fish Farms, and Director of Lake Manzala, where he coordinated the committee responsible for the lake’s management and development. He also worked with the Cooperative Insurance Fund for Motorized Fishing Vessels before becoming General Director of Leasing and Fisheries, and later General Director of Fishing Ports at the Authority’s headquarters in Cairo.
Innovation and Scientific Achievements
Among his notable achievements, Dr. Magdy collaborated with his colleague Ahmed El-Tabai to design an electronic monitoring device for marine fishing vessels, which was registered with the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research under patent number 1274. The innovation drew the attention of a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), who later invited the inventors to FAO Headquarters in Rome to present their design to a panel of international experts.
He also led the first experimental tuna fishing project in Egypt, conducting a comprehensive study on Albacore tuna. His research and field leadership contributed to Egypt receiving its first international quota for Albacore tuna fishing. Additionally, he prepared in-depth studies on Lake Manzala and the surrounding fish farms, focusing on strategies for their development and sustainable management.
Research, Lectures, and National Contributions
Dr. Magdy’s expertise has been recognized in numerous national and international forums. He has been invited to lecture on aquaculture at the Egyptian Medical Syndicate and to speak at the International Conference on the Environment and Fisheries of the Red Sea: Reality and Aspirations held in Hurghada, Egypt. He also designed several covers for the Authority’s annual statistical publications.
International Collaborations and Training
His international experience includes participation in several FAO-led projects, such as:
- The Italian Egyptian Marine Aquaculture Project.
- The MedFISHS Project for developing marine fishing vessel registries.
- Studies on the economic and social dimensions of Egyptian fisheries.
He also took part in the Leadership Training Program in Cairo and holds the International Computer Driving License (ICDL).
Dr. Magdy represented Egypt in multiple international training and research missions, including:
- A training course in marine fish breeding at the Fish Farming Institute, Suez Canal University, was conducted in collaboration with China’s Confucius Institute.
- FAO regional meetings on vessel monitoring systems and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Tunisia, Morocco, and Greece.
- Study missions to Malaysia (on fisheries management), Bologna University in Italy (on fish disease diagnosis, water analysis, and hatchery management), and Finland (on environmental monitoring and lake management systems).
- Participation in the African Union’s working group on supporting and documenting sustainable fisheries, held in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
His international contributions extend further, having represented Egypt in an expert exchange program with Oman, where he participated in workshops on fish stock assessment and fisheries management in Omani waters. He also received scholarships from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (Spain) to study monitoring and supervision tools in fisheries systems, as well as a fellowship in “Enhancing Decent Work Conditions in Fisheries” held on Crestina Island.
Dr. Magdy has also participated in the International Conference on Coastal Zone and Fisheries Management in Alicante, Spain, and an international workshop on dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) fisheries held in Zarzis, Tunisia.
Through his extensive national and international engagements, Dr. Magdy Abdelwahed has made remarkable contributions to the sustainable development of Egypt’s fisheries sector, combining scientific expertise, field leadership, and international collaboration to strengthen the country’s blue economy and marine resource governance.
Dr. Magdy Abdelwahed: A Lifelong Journey in Fisheries and Aquaculture Development
