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Aquaculture in Developing Countries

Why is it important?

The human population reached 7 billion this year (Newcomb, 2011) and the majority of the growth is in developing countries (Cohen, 2003). A large proportion of the population in the developing world experiences chronic under-nutrition (Ahmed, 2002). Traditionally, the focus of agriculture in these countries has been cereal and staple food; however this method ignores the roles of diversity in production and employment (Ahmed, 2002). Focusing solely on food production ignores factors that play larger roles in growth, such as income (Ahmed, 2002). Adding aquaculture to the litany of production practices typically used would add diversity and supply new forms of employment.

Another issue keeping developing countries stuck in the developing stage is their stagnant to declining fisheries. Overfishing is occurring globally, but it is especially hurting the countries of the West African coast. Large European trawling boats are legally – through a fee paid to fish in a country’s EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) – and illegally overfishing West African seas, while local fishing industries are in decline (Avril, 2008). Studies have shown there is a direct link between fish supply and bushmeat demand in villages (Brashares, 2004), and even increases the amount of human-baboon conflict in Ghana due to reduced numbers of big predators to keep the baboon population under control (Nguyen, 2008). Aquaculture is an alternative to fisheries that provides jobs and fish supply to domestic markets, and encourages infrastructure growth (Atta-Mills, 2004).

History

While aquaculture to some extent has been practiced for a long time in developing countries throughout the world, it did not contribute much to economies until large organizations began to stimulate growth. Asia showed steady aquaculture growth in the 1990s (Ahmed, 2002), owing mostly to the FAO’s (Food and Agriculture Organization) CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) (Nandeesha, 1999).

Aquaculture is a function of three essential components: basic conditions such as stability in economics and environment, infrastructure, and economic feasibility (Matsuda, 1978). All three of these components are especially difficult to ensure in developing countries (Pinstrup-Anderson et al 1999), so governmental and non-governmental organizations have been imperative to development and growth.

The UN’s FAO has been the main proponent in supporting movement to aquaculture in developing countries, but additional funding comes from governments across North American and Europe (Nandeesha, 1999). FAO started collecting annual statistical data on world aquaculture production in 1984, and the results were first published in 1989 (Csavas, 1993). FAO’s CARE became involved with aquaculture development in 1991 (Nandeesha, 1999).

Success Story: Bangladesh

Aquaculture Production

Before any international organization facilitated growth, aquaculture and fisheries were already being practiced. In the one year span from 1987 to 1988, total fish production was .827 million tons (Islam, 1999). During this year, major developments in the country’s aquaculture knowledge and practice took place and production increased. Target production is currently set at 1.2 million tons, and at the date of publishing estimated production was 1.17 million tons (Islam, 1999).

In the ten year span from 1987 to 1997, which encompasses years before and after CARE began its aquaculture focus in Bangladesh, total fish production increased from 827 thousand tons to 1373 tons (Islam, 1999). Fish production in aquaculture specifically increased from 176 thousand tons to 476 thousand tons (Islam, 1999). Aquaculture contribution to total fish production increased from 21.28% in 1987 to 34.52% in 1997 (Islam, 1999). The average aquaculture growth rate went from 11.27% to 25.07% in the same time period (Islam, 1999).

Major fish species cultured are native carps – catla, rohu, mrigala, and kalbashu; exotic carps – common carp, Chinese carp, and bighead carp; local catfishes – pangas, pabda, magur, and singhi; exotic catfish – African catfish; tilapia; silver barbs; and molas. Giant prawns and tiger prawns are also predominantly cultured (Islam, 1999).

Different aquaculture strategies practiced are fish hatcheries and nurseries, oxbow lake culture-based fisheries, pond culture, pen culture, cage culture, rice-fish farming, freshwater prawn farming, coastal shrimp farming. Prices involved with different strategies of production vary, with the least expensive and also lowest estimated capitol value and annual income strategy being homestead pond fish culture (Islam, 1999). The most expensive, highest estimated capitol value, and highest income strategy is culture-based fisheries in oxbow lakes (Islam, 1999).

CARE + Bangladesh

CARE began its aquaculture focused projects in Bangladesh in 1993 (Nandeesha, 1999). Six years after its inception, 600 jobs had been created and more than 30% of the positions were filled by women (Nandeesha, 1999).

The first project started was INTERFISH (Integrated Rice and Fish Culture) in northern Bangladesh, which began in 1993. The focus was to teach farmers to grow fish and rice in same field as an integrated pest management system. It was funded by DFID (UK’s Department for International Development) (Nandeesha, 1999).

The next two projects began in 1995. NOPEST (New Options for Pest Management) was in southern Bangladesh, and was similar to INTERFISH as its focus was integrated pest management in rice-fish culture. It was funded by the EU (European Union). CAGES (Cage Aquaculture for Greater Economic Security) had locations throughout Bangladesh, and focused on developing cage aquaculture technology suited for small farmers. It was funded by DFID (Nandeesha, 1999).

GOLDA (Greater Options for Local Development through Aquaculture) had locations in five districts in southern Bangladesh, and began in 1996. Its focus was to improve freshwater prawn farming. It was funded by DFID (Nandeesha, 1999).

LIFE (Locally Intensified Farming Enterprise) centered in northern Bangladesh, and began mid-1998. It branched from GOLDA, and used systems approach through famer participatory research (farmers reported what they did and results to the program) focused on problems encountered in freshwater aquaculture. It was funded by the EU (Nandeesha, 1999).

Go-INTERFISH (Greater Opportunities for Integrated Rice and Fish Culture) was located in northern Bangladesh, and began in late 1999. It used a diversity of projects to strengthen decision making capacity of farmers by enhancing their knowledge, skills, and confidence through FFS (Farmer field school). FFS used fields as laboratories where ecological farming practices were applied so farmers could find out what worked and what didn’t, and gain experience in applying new practices. This was funded by DFID (Nandeesha, 1999).

Looking forward: Africa

Ghana

Small-scale aquaculture has been practiced in freshwater lakes and brackish lagoons for decades, but is not widespread and production is low; 511 tons in 2000 (Atta-Mills, 2004). Artisanal fishing is the main source of fish in the domestic market, there is very little industrial fishing and almost no exports (Atta-Mills, 2004) as the fishermen’s’ main concern is feeding their own countrymen.

There is potential to develop aquaculture so it becomes an alternative source of employment for fishermen and a source of fish for the domestic market (Atta-Mills, 2004). It is important to utilize this potential because of European overfishing depleting oceanic stocks (Avril, 2008). This will require substantial investment in INFRASTRUCTURE and capacity building [like CARE does] within the artisanal fishing community (Atta-Mills, 2004).

Citations: Pinstrup-Anderson, Per, Rajul Pandya-Lorch, and Mark W. Rosegrant. United States. International Food Policy Research Institute. World Food Prospects: Critical Issues for the Early Twenty-First Century. Washington DC, 1999. Print.

Ahmed, Mahfuzuddin, and Mylene H. Lorica. "Improving developing country food security through aquaculture development—lessons from Asia." Food Policy. 27. (2002): 125-141. Print.

Nandeesha, M.C., and Greg Chapman. "Aquaculture development in Bangladesh through capacity-building: Experiences of CARE."FAO Fisheries Report No. 611. March 1999. Ed. Matthias Halwart. Chiang Rang: NACA and FAO, 1999. 161-169. Print.

Islam, Nazrul. "Status and role of aquaculture in rural development in Bangladesh." FAO Fisheries Report No. 611. March 1999. Ed. Matthias Halwart. Chiang Rang: NACA and FAO, 1999. 161-169. Print.

Cohen, Barney. "Urban Growth in Developing Countries: A Review of Current Trends and a Caution Regarding Existing Forecasts."World Development. 32.1 (2003): 23-51. Print.

Newcomb, Alyssa, writ. "7 Billion People: What Number Are You?."ABC News. ABC: 30/10/2011. Web. 27 Nov 2011.

Nguyen, Viet H. (2009) "Overfishing: A Global Perspective," Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 18.

Brashares, JS, MK Sam, et al. "Bushmeat hunting, wildlife declines, and fish supply in West Africa." Science. 306. (2004): 1180-1183. Print.

Csavas, I., 1993. “Aquaculture development and environmental issues in the developing countries of Asia, p. 74-101. In R.S.V. Pullin, H. Rosenthal, and J.L Maclean (eds.) Environment and aquaculture in developing countires. ICLARM Conf. Proc. 31, 359 p.

Avril, Hilaire. "Overfishing Linked to Food Crisis, Migration." Inter Press Service, 2008.

Atta-Mills, John, Jackie Alder, and Ussif Rashid Sumaila. "The decline of a regional fishing nation: The case of Ghana and West Africa." Natural Resources Forum. 28. (2004): 13-21. Print.

Matsuda, Yokiashi. "The growth of aquaculture in developing countries: potentials, patterns, and pitfalls." Fisheries. 3.4 (1978): 2-6. Print.

How to Cite, select type ( ex: journal), input info. Gives citation and reference at bottom.