Fisheries
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12348/3
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- Aquatic foods are rich in micronutrients essential to human health, and fisheries and aquaculture are increasingly recognized for their capacity to contribute to reducing global micronutrient deficiencies and diet-based health risks. Whether fisheries and aquaculture sector and public health nutrition policies align to meet this goal, however, is unclear. Do fisheries and aquaculture policies have explicit nutrition and public health objectives? Do public health nutrition policies recognize the contribution of aquatic foods? Using content analysis, we assessed the alignment of objectives in national fisheries and public health nutrition policies. We further determined conditions associated with varying levels of cohesion among policies in these sectors or domains. We found that 77 of 158 national fisheries policies identified nutrition as a key objective in the sector, and 68 of 165 public health nutrition policies identified the importance of fish and shellfish consumption as key objectives. More recent policies were associated with improved coherence among sectors. International organization presence in policy development was also associated with greater coherence. Countries with higher overweight prevalence had fisheries and public health nutrition policies that were not aligned. There has been a promising recent trend for improved alignment of objectives between fisheries and public health nutrition policies, but more targeted and systematic policy approaches are needed to realize the potential contribution of nutrient-rich fish and shellfish to healthier food systems.
- The yellowtail catfish (Pangasius pangasius) population in Bangladesh is facing imminent threats that led to endangered status. We used conventional scientific knowledge (CSK) and local ecological knowledge (LEK) of fishers (n = 155) to identify nursery grounds and spawning seasons of yellowtail catfish in the Meghna river estuary. Nineteen nursery grounds were pinpointed using fishers' LEK (confluence/influent zone, current, depth, catch data, and turbidity) and later validated by CPUE data. The peak spawning season was identified in July–September based on GSI (gonadosomatic index) and LEK (58.06% of fishers identified the spawning season). Fecundity (810,980 ± 455,679) and condition factor (0.94–1.52) were quantified with CSK. Using CSK and LEK to delineate nursery grounds and spawning season underscores the value of LEK as a tool for fish population management that deserves policy recommendation and wider application.
- Introduction: Nourishing the growing and changing global population within sustainable limits is a pressing concern that must be addressed by 2030. To meet this challenge, it is argued food systems must transform, but a range of different food system configurations and trade-offs must be considered by national, regional and global decision-makers. Wild caught Small Pelagic Fish Species (SPFS) are a valuable source of human nutrition and are also frequently processed into fish meal and fish oil to become the principal protein and lipid sources for farmed animal feeds. The choices between the primary (i.e., for direct human consumption) and secondary (i.e., for animal feed ingredients) uses of small-pelagic freshwater and marine fish provides an illustrative example of contention and opportunity in balancing livelihood, income, consumer demand and human nutrition needs. Whilst the potential trade-offs have received much popular attention, there is a clear need to examine the evidence. Methods: In this paper, we systematically collate peer reviewed literature and trade data from the African Great Lakes Region (AGLR) and the western coastal region of sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 201 articles met our search criteria, and of those we deemed 32 to hold sufficient and quality data for use in this review. Results: The AGLR (76%), and specifically Kenya (64%), were best represented in the literature which covered alternative feed proteins, assessment of feed/food nutritional quality and availability of feed/food resources. We find that the use of SPFS as feed limits access for use as food. This further supports innovations to develop fish oil and fish meal alternatives to safeguard SPFS for direct human consumption, particularly in resource-poor contexts. Discussion: Since most extracted evidence in this review was from the AGLR, there is still a need for more targeted investments for robust research that is cross-regional to better understand the magnitude, dynamics and trade-offs concerning the utilization of SPFS in SSA.
- The Western Provincial Fisheries Division aims to establish a developed and sustainable fishery in the region. This goal is in line with several key documents, including the Fisheries Management Act (FMA 2015), the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Corporate Plan, and the Western Province ACAREA Translation Policy. The Division is committed to fostering a fishery that not only meets the needs of our community today but also ensures the health and viability of our aquatic resources for future generations.
- This report documents an intervention under the Nutrition-Sensitive Fisheries Management (NSFM) project that aimed to design, implement and evaluate Fish for Improving Nutrition (FIN) training. The FIN training sought to increase awareness of the nutritional benefits of aquatic foods, promote regular inclusion of fish into family diets, particularly for pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and children under 2 years old, and strengthen the ability of communities to improve complementary feeding practices. The training was piloted in the four communities between August and December 2024. Close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and local authorities was essential to implement the training, which used innovative and gender-responsive approaches to engage participants and run the training sessions.
- This document presents a compilation of innovative and inclusive nutrition-sensitive fisheries (NSF) interventions piloted in Timor-Leste and Indonesia in the areas of fisheries, livelihoods and nutrition, as part of the Nutrition-Sensitive Fisheries Management (NSFM) project. The compilation showcases the diversity of NSF interventions identified and piloted by four communities in Timor-Leste and two in NTT using a participatory action research approach, highlighting grounded approaches to improving nutrition through fisheries while supporting livelihoods and inclusive community governance. The compilation aims to inform policymakers, researchers and practitioners on effective strategies for nutrition-sensitive fisheries management, and to support the scaling and adaptation of successful interventions in other coastal communities facing similar challenges.
- This report presents findings from a national review of incentive-based approaches to support coastal stewardship in Tanzania. Sustain East Africa (SEA) conducted the study, in collaboration with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), as part of Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS). AABS is led by WorldFish and funded by the UK’s Blue Planet Fund, promoting South–South collaboration to strengthen aquatic food systems in ways that benefit nature, people and the climate.
- Wetlands are in decline, and this has led to a loss of eighty percent of the global wetland biodiversity over the last 50 years. Part of the species loss comes from freshwater fish and their associated fisheries. Inland capture fisheries yield 6.25 million metric tonnes per annum (p.a.) of which 55% comes from Asia and South East Asia. While apparently contributing only 6.5% of total fish production, inland fisheries provide food for hundreds of millions who derive up to sixty percent of their animal sourced protein from freshwater fish. Without exception these fisheries are now in decline, largely due to the removal of wetlands and the connectivity between river systems and floodplains. The largest inland capture fishery associated with the lower Mekong River basin provides an example of this decline. The demise of wetlands and their associated fisheries is largely of anthropogenic origin including land clearance, climate change, infrastructure (roads and irrigation systems) overfishing, illegal fishing and pollution from intensive agriculture and industry. It is not too late to stop this downward destructive trend as many wetlands and their biodiversity can recover, as demonstrated by a range of protected areas. Improved wetland management including rice field modified wetlands, from which the rice yield feeds half of the world’s population, has also demonstrated how the use of better management practices can sustain rice and fish production while maintaining a degree of wetland biodiversity. It is recommended that further Total Economic Value (TEV) assessments of wetland fisheries are undertaken as a means of demonstrating to policy makers the potential loss to national economies from wetland destruction. Improved assessments of wetland loss coupled with more accurate inland fisheries assessments are urgently required.
- This technical paper is an initial step towards exploring the potential identification of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in inland waters where fisheries and fisheries-related activities take place. It forms part of the FAO Blue Transformation roadmap, as highlighted in the practical guidance document on Fisheries OECMs A Handbook for Identifying, Evaluating, and Reporting Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures in Marine Fisheries. Part 1 provides an overview of the role and potential contribution of inland fisheries management to biodiversity conservation and how area-based fisheries management in inland waters fits within the OECM framework. The subsequent chapters, which make up Part 2, offer region-specific information for Latin America, Africa and Asia, presenting examples of area-based management in inland fisheries that provide context-specific insights. These examples aim to support the assessment and recognition of potential for inland fisheries-related OECMs in each region.
- The hilsa fishery, Bangladesh’s largest single-species fishery, generates over USD 3 billion annually, contributing 12% to annual fish production and supporting 2.5 million people. However, the growing human population and the associated demand for fish protein have led to overfishing of both adult and juvenile hilsa in the gill net fishery. In respons, the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and WorldFish implemented the ECOFISH-BD project (2015–2019), funded by USAID, to promote sustainable management practices. Despite the ecological and economic importance of hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha), there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the economic evaluation of conservation initiatives. This study addrress that gap by examining the ECOFISH-BD project and assessing its return on investment (ROI) in terms of ecological and socio-economic outcomes. The research evaluates the historical context influencing hilsa production, assesses the project’s impact on stock recovery, and conducts a cost-benefit analysis to determine the ROI related to hilsa fishery management and community livelihoods. Using the difference-in-difference method, the study measured changes in income and assets, revealing a significant increase of 86.19% in income and 63.99% in overall assets in the intervention group compared to the baseline. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges such as unequal benefit distribution, power imbalances in the hilsa value chain, and the persistence of debt trap remain. While it is difficult to fully isolate the project’s effects from other external factors, the project has played a significant role in the recovery of hilsa stocks and the subsequent increase in catch volumes. Furthermore, the project demonstrates strong economic viability, evidenced by an internal rate of return of 32.8%. This study underscores the profitability and investment potential of small-scale fisheries, challenging common misconceptions and advocating for increased investment and institutional support to maximize long-term socio-economic and ecological benefits.
- In India, wild fisheries and aquaculture have been integral to food security, livelihoods, and cultural and ecosystem services for centuries. Post- independence, the Indian fisheries sector received structured policy attention, particularly through the five- year plans, and the establishment of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and its constituent institutes. The introduction of “Blue Revolution” in the 1980s marked a turning point, catalysing growth through improved infrastructure, research, and extension services. The development of inland aquaculture, specifically carp culture in freshwater and shrimp farming in brackish waters significantly increased production, while subsequent diversification in both species and systems helped position India as a global leader. Currently, the Indian fisheries sector, contributing to rural livelihoods and food security, including eliminating hidden hunger, reflects a blend of traditional practices and modern innovations. However, several sustainability challenges exist, including overfishing, habitat degradation, climate change, disease outbreaks, and socioeconomic vulnerability of fishing communities. Addressing these, and moving towards resilient, inclusive, and sustainable aquatic food production systems will require a multifaceted approach integrating policy reforms, ecosystem- based management, technological innovation, and community participation— all of them aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Food and Agriculture Organization Blue Transformation strategy.
- Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) will help Tanzania address its fisheries and aquaculture challenges by leveraging South–South collaboration to improve sustainability, resilience and prosperity in coastal communities. Through evidence-based models and partnerships, AABS will enhance the adaptive capacities of small-scale fish workers and farmers, mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing the sustainability of fish production. By focusing on Tanzania’s vulnerable coastal regions, the initiative will not only support the government’s goals but also ensure that the livelihoods of these communities are more secure and equitable.
- Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) will help Tanzania address its fisheries and aquaculture challenges by leveraging South–South collaboration to improve sustainability, resilience and prosperity in coastal communities. Through evidence-based models and partnerships, AABS will enhance the adaptive capacities of small-scale fish workers and farmers, mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing the sustainability of fish production. By focusing on Tanzania’s vulnerable coastal regions, the initiative will not only support the government’s goals but also ensure that the livelihoods of these communities are more secure and equitable.
- Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) will help Tanzania address its fisheries and aquaculture challenges by leveraging South–South collaboration to improve sustainability, resilience and prosperity in coastal communities. Through evidence-based models and partnerships, AABS will enhance the adaptive capacities of small-scale fish workers and farmers, mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing the sustainability of fish production. By focusing on Tanzania’s vulnerable coastal regions, the initiative will not only support the government’s goals but also ensure that the livelihoods of these communities are more secure and equitable.
- Asia–Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) will help Tanzania address its fisheries and aquaculture challenges by leveraging South–South collaboration to improve sustainability, resilience and prosperity in coastal communities. Through evidence-based models and partnerships, AABS will enhance the adaptive capacities of small-scale fish workers and farmers, mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing the sustainability of fish production. By focusing on Tanzania’s vulnerable coastal regions, the initiative will not only support the government’s goals but also ensure that the livelihoods of these communities are more secure and equitable.
- collaboration to improve sustainability, resilience and prosperity in coastal communities. Through evidence-based models and partnerships, AABS will enhance the adaptive capacities of small-scale fish workers and farmers, mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing the sustainability of fish production. By focusing on Mozambique’s vulnerable coastal regions, the initiative will not only support the government’s goals but also ensure that the livelihoods of these communities are more secure and equitable.
- collaboration to improve sustainability, resilience and prosperity in coastal communities. Through evidence-based models and partnerships, AABS will enhance the adaptive capacities of small-scale fish workers and farmers, mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing the sustainability of fish production. By focusing on Mozambique’s vulnerable coastal regions, the initiative will not only support the government’s goals but also ensure that the livelihoods of these communities are more secure and equitable.
- collaboration to improve sustainability, resilience and prosperity in coastal communities. Through evidence-based models and partnerships, AABS will enhance the adaptive capacities of small-scale fish workers and farmers, mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing the sustainability of fish production. By focusing on Mozambique’s vulnerable coastal regions, the initiative will not only support the government’s goals but also ensure that the livelihoods of these communities are more secure and equitable.
- In Mozambique, AABS will help to address fisheries and aquaculture challenges by leveraging South–South collaboration to improve sustainability, resilience and prosperity in coastal communities. Through evidence-based models and partnerships, AABS will enhance the adaptive capacities of small-scale fish workers and farmers, mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing the sustainability of fish production. By focusing on Mozambique’s vulnerable coastal regions, the initiative will not only support the government’s goals but also ensure that the livelihoods of these communities are more secure and equitable.
- communities. Through evidence-based models and partnerships, AABS will enhance the adaptive capacities of small-scale fish workers and farmers, mitigating the effects of climate change and increasing the sustainability of fish production. By focusing on Kenya’s vulnerable coastal regions, the initiative will not only support the government’s goals but also ensure that the livelihoods of these communities are more secure and equitable.