WorldFish Digital Repository
WorldFish research is regarded as international public goods, and we are committed to the widespread dissemination of all our information products. One of the organizational objectives of WorldFish is to make all of its products open. This is in line with both the Center’s Research Data Management and Open Access Policy and the CGIAR Open Access and Data Management Policy. Opening our research, including publications, data and tools, ensures that more people can read and apply our research findings, thereby increasing the efficiency, reach and impact of our work.
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Recent Submissions
Climate change and its’ associated weather variabilities and extremes are posing significant risks to aquaculture productivity, particularly in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Concurrently, the increasing population and shifting consumption patterns are driving higher demand for aquacultural products. This study investigates the impact of floods, heavy rainfall, tidal surges, high temperatures, droughts, erratic rainfall, and water quality parameters (Dissolved Oxygen, ammonia, pH) on investments in “hard” assets, such as specific fish-farm equipment (aquaculture nets, fish cages, thermometers, irrigation pumps), to enhance climate resilience. Additionally, the study explores “soft” investments in information services that provide advanced forecasts on monsoon onset, heavy rainfall, dry spells, high temperature and cold spells. The results indicate that the level of investment in climate-smart aquaculture is currently influenced by climate stresses, investment capacity (farm size, family size), aquaculture system characteristics (pond size and depth, type of fish, aggregate yields), and market-related factors (proximity to roads and markets). In the context of climate-informed decision-making, forecast-based advisory services can facilitate the transition to climate-smart aquaculture. However, the benefits of the information services are often linked to substantial investments in hard infrastructure that ensure the effective utilization of climate information and advisory services. This absence of accessible climate information services and the capacity to invest in climate smart equipment that makes the information actionable, hinder the transition to climate smart aquaculture by smallholder farmers and hence threaten their livelihood and nutritional security.
Incorporating indigenous small fish into local diets can deliver health benefits to communities facing malnutrition.
This insight brief captures the learnings from the knowledge exchange session held at the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) inception workshop, hosted by WorldFish from 9-12 October 2023, in Penang, Malaysia. The inception workshop brought together over 70 experts and scientists from 27 collaborators, partners and potential partners in participatory discussions to give shape to Phase 1 of AABS (2023-2027) to be implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania.
This study focuses on the adoption of Improved Aquaculture Management Practices (IAMP) to boost farm productivity and income, examining factors influencing adoption among small-scale aquaculture fish farming households. The research involved 1178 fish farmers practicing three (small-scale commercial aquaculture, Gher based farming and homestead aquaculture) different aquaculture production systems in Bangladesh. Among them, 715 received training on IAMP and support (fingerlings, feed etc.) from WorldFish, while 463 served as control farmers. Adoption levels were measured using the adoption quotient index, and the impact on productivity and income was estimated using propensity score matching (PSM). Results indicated that approximately 65% of project farmers fully adopted IAMP, with around 28% adopting it partially. The adoption quotient of project farmers exceeded that of control farmers. Fish productivity and income were significantly higher for project farmers in all three technologies, and as the level of adoption increased, their productivity significantly surpassed that of control farmers. The findings show that farmers training, participatory trials, guidebooks, and farmers' field days have significant impact on IAMP adoption levels. Thus, in order to ensure sustainable aquaculture production and income for Bangladesh's small-scale farmers, it is recommended that improved aquaculture management practices be prioritized in an attempt to mitigate the challenges caused by environmental and economic factors in the aquaculture sector.
The CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods aimed to build the resilience of aquatic food systems and unlock their full potential by scaling research and innovations. Working closely with research partners in fisheries and aquaculture, civil society, industry, and governments, the Initiative contributed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the production of aquatic foods, and enhance ecological and social resilience through development and dissemination of improved fish strains, better management practices, integrated fish-rice production systems, and fish-friendly irrigation systems.
This brief aims to explore how circular economy, food systems and practical waste management considerations – might link with regenerative agriculture, soil systems improvement, fish and rice systems, precision fermentation and enzymatic conversion to reduce carbon footprints, bio-security risks and improve food safety aspects for improvements in SEAP.
This insight brief captures the learnings from the knowledge exchange session held at the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) inception workshop, hosted by WorldFish from 9-12 October 2023, in Penang, Malaysia. The inception workshop brought together over 70 experts and scientists from 27 collaborators, partners and potential partners in participatory discussions to give shape to Phase 1 of AABS (2023-2027) to be implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania.
This report provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders seeking to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the aquatic food sector in Southern Africa. The report highlights the importance of targeted capacity-building programs in addressing the specific needs of SMEs to enhance their capacity to deliver nutrient-dense aquatic foods to address household food and nutritional insecurity and in turn promote sustainable development in the region.
This study investigated the effects of salinity, ammonia, and stocking density on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings over a 74-days. In three separate experiments, fingerlings (initial weight 25 ± 2.4 g) were exposed to salinity levels (5, 10, 15, and 20 ppt), ammonia concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/L), and stocking densities (10, 15, 20, and 25 fish per 96 L aquarium). Survival, growth performance, biochemical parameters, and gene expression changes were assessed. Salinity ≥ 15 ppt and ammonia ≥ 0.1 mg/L significantly impaired growth (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed efficiency) and increased mortality rates, reaching 37% and 56% at 20 ppt salinity and 0.2 mg/L ammonia, respectively. Elevated salinity and ammonia also caused significant increases in the activities of ALT, AST, LDH enzymes, along with higher serum glucose levels, while disrupting serum protein and ion concentrations, indicating considerable metabolic and osmoregulatory disturbances. At the molecular level, the expression of the growth-promoting IGF-I gene was down-regulated, while inflammatory marker TNFα was up-regulated, suggesting compromised health. Stocking density had less pronounced effects, though densities ≥ 20 fish/aquarium led to reduced growth, altered biochemical markers, and gene expression changes compared to 10–15 fish/aquarium. These findings establish salinity and ammonia tolerance thresholds for tilapia fingerlings, emphasize optimal stocking density, and provide insights into the physiological and molecular responses to multifactorial stressors. The study contributes to sustainable management strategies for tilapia aquaculture under variable environmental conditions.
This insight brief captures the learnings from the knowledge exchange session held at the Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) inception workshop, hosted by WorldFish from 9-12 October 2023, in Penang, Malaysia. The inception workshop brought together over 70 experts and scientists from 27 collaborators, partners and potential partners in participatory discussions to give shape to Phase 1 of AABS (2023-2027) to be implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania.
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