Fisheries Resources and Aquaculture

Most major fisheries resources are under great stress and there is a worldwide concern about the state of resources and some of their non-sustainable uses. For yet under-utilized stocks, the risk of over-utilization is amplified by globalization of trade in fish and fishery products, The international legal framework for fisheries has been substantially improved, but a web of complex provisions complicates their simultaneous implementation. The risk of misinformation is very high and the performance of present fisheries production and management system is questioned. Therefore, there is a need for information that is verifiable, integrated and delivered in a timely fashion. FAO is positioned to meet this need and for that purpose has created the Fisheries Global Information System (FIGIS) that covers the development of norms and standards for collection and exchange of fisheries information and statistics, technical advice and assistance on information and statistics collection, and processing and exchange programmes of Members and regional fisheries bodies.

Industrialized countries are usually faced with fully or overexploited stocks. In contrast, developing countries tend to concentrate on fisheries development in terms of new resources and technology. Although it is recognized that some stock are overfished, objectives are concentrated more on enhancing and diversifying fisheries rather than on limiting fishing efforts. This is perhaps because the underlying concern for many countries is the relatively important role fisheries play in employment and food security for some of their poorest people. More specific aims include building infrastructure (particularly for processing to reduce post-harvest losses and increase the value added), fishery enhancement, through restocking; and reducing social conflicts, not only among different fishing groups but also between fisheries and other sectors.

While aquaculture is widely recognized as having the potential to contribute to the substantial additional amounts of fish needed to maintain per caput consumption at present levels, past efforts by governments both to develop and manage aquaculture have not always been effective. FAO seeks to provide the relevant decision-makers in the public and private sectors with accurate, balanced and relevant information on the implications of alternative aquaculture strategies, thereby facilitating the implementation of effective national and regional aquaculture policies.

Asia, the Americas and Europe have seen an expansion in aquaculture production, Africa which has little aquaculture tradition, has still to develop its potential. In the Asia region, aquaculture has developed mainly as a rural activity integrated into existing farming systems. Rural aquaculture, including enhancement and culture-based fisheries, has made significant contributions to the alleviation of poverty, directly through small-scale household farming of aquatic organisms for domestic consumption or income, and indirectly by providing employment of the poor or low-cost fish for poor rural and urban consumers. Recent experiences in those countries indicate that there are wide opportunities for the poor, who can integrate aquaculture into their existing farming systems.

 

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