Six-year fish plan to feed the poor
THE international research organisation WorldFish has launched a sixyear strategy to boost sustainable aquaculture production and smallscale fisheries in developing countries.
The UN backed group will focus on improving breeding and fish feeds, and strengthening fisheries governance.
There is increasing acknowledgement that addressing fish supply in developing countries is essential for global food and nutrition security.
The UN High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) recently concluded that fish is ‘crucial to any debate and action to reduce poverty and improve food security and nutrition’.
The new strategy (2017-2022) outlines how WorldFish will achieve its mission of strengthening livelihoods, food and nutrition security by improving fisheries and aquaculture.
Aquaculture is a growth industry, with more than 100 million people, most in the developing world, depending on it for their livelihoods.
However, farmers often use poor quality seed, resulting in low productivity. To boost yields, WorldFish will build on its long-running tilapia and carp breeding programmes to develop new knowledge and technology in improved breeds, fish health, aquafeeds and management practices.
Projections are that this will directly benefit five million producer households, with targets of increasing sustainable production by another 4.8 million tonnes annually in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Nigel Preston, director general of WorldFish, said: ‘Sustainable aqua- culture practices offer water, energy, and feed conversion efficiencies superior to any other domesticated animal food production system— and fish is the only animal source food that can be produced in saltwater, offering unique advantages for climate resilient production.
‘The new WorldFish strategy outlines ambitious targets that will maximise the nutritional and livelihood benefits for millions of the world’s most vulnerable people.’
Consumption of fish – a rich source of micronutrients and essential fatty acids – has a critical role to play in boosting dietary diversity.
WorldFish will develop and implement novel aquaculture and fisheries production systems, in particular fish-rice systems, research methods to reduce post-harvest waste and losses and continue to develop novel fish based products such as the fish chutney piloted in Bangladesh.
The aim is that this work will result in 2.4 million fewer people suffering from micronutrient deficiencies and help 4.7 million more women of reproductive age achieve a more balanced diet.
Blake Ratner, director general designate of WorldFish, said: ‘Our strategy focuses on the three interlinked challenges of sustainable aquaculture, resilient small-scale fisheries and enhancing the contributions of fish to nutrition of the poor in the places where we can make the most difference.
‘These challenges will only be met by partnering with the communities, research innovators, entrepreneurs and investors who give fisheries and aquaculture its dynamism and promise.’