Japan and the WorldFish Center : partnership safeguards natural resources and promotes rural development

Abstract

WorldFish is an international research organization that works to reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. WorldFish research focuses on natural resource management issues pertaining to fisheries and aquaculture, aiming to sustain the productivity of aquatic systems, promote the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, preserve biodiversity, improve resource management policies, and strengthen the capacity of developing countries in these areas. WorldFish has, with over 200 partner organizations. Over the last decade , the government of Japan has been one of WorldFish’s most important partners, having contributed almost US$7 million (about ¥780 million at the 2006 exchange rate). Japan contributed $2.8 million to rehabilitate and improve the facilities of Egypt’s Central Facility for Aquaculture Research at Abbassa on the Nile Delta. Abbassa is the key base for research, innovation and training on pond-based aquaculture in West Asia and Africa The pond and laboratory facilities enable world-class research to be conducted on such critically important issues as resource-use efficiency in pond aquaculture, fish disease, and the genetic improvement of Nile tilapia and African catfish. The facility at Abbassa is but one example of how WorldFish provides Japan with efficient avenues for supporting regional food security for the poor.