Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food-producing sectors in the world, attracting widespread fame as an effective contributor to poverty eradication, food security, and income generation. The decision to establish the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture under the umbrella of FAO's Committee on Fisheries was a reflection of the importance that FAO member governments attach to the development of aquaculture. However, for quite justified reasons, certain production practices were unsustainable and had negative environmental, social and economic consequences. This discrepancy has illustrated the need to further discuss topics related to sector sustainability to ensure that the aquaculture sector contributes equitably and reasonably to the provision of food to the human race. This section examines key issues of sustainability and discusses expectations and challenges for improving aquaculture contribution to poverty reduction, improving food security, helping to provide livelihoods for rural communities, and promoting national income generation.
Aquaculture is an important domestic provider of high-quality, affordable and high-quality animal protein for poor segments of society. They also provide jobs, money and foreign exchange to the community, with developing countries contributing more than 90 percent of world aquaculture production. When integrating the aquaculture sector in an integrated and thoughtful manner, it provides rural communities with less risky inputs, and their applications become diverse in inland and coastal areas. While the practice of aquaculture for export, industrial and commercial purposes attracts more foreign exchange, incomes, and jobs, there are other forms of aquaculture that benefit the livelihoods of the poor by improving food supply and reducing the exposure to unexpected natural falls in the production of water resources, Employment, and income. The development of fisheries through the use of appropriate means and techniques in aquaculture provides important opportunities for resource-poor people to benefit from improved use of less-used new or degraded resources. These aquaculture-based fisheries have the potential to increase fish production from freshwater and saltwater fisheries while generating income for both inland and coastal rural communities simultaneously.
The real challenge is to create an environment conducive to maximizing the benefits and contributions that aquaculture and pedagogical-based fisheries can make to rural development, food security, and poverty alleviation. Participatory, participatory and participatory practices in the context of the sustainability, integration and joint management of natural resources will improve the utilization of these resources. Human-oriented development and the management approach to efficiency building focusing on aquaculture systems are feeding at low levels in the feeder chain, which also leads to low-cost products favored by poor rural communities.
The evolution and development of aquaculture
There are two major events in the history of aquaculture: the FAO Technical Conference on Aquaculture held in Kyoto, Japan in 1976, and the Third Millenium Cultivation Fisheries Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand, in February 2000.
Both aim to explore opportunities for aquaculture and the role they play in the community and propose strategies to meet the expectations and demands for sustainable aquaculture development in the next two to three decades. The Kyoto Conference considers the opportunities offered by technology and science, network potential, employment development and institutional strengthening of aquaculture development.
In addition to these aspects, the Kyoto Conference examined the role of aquaculture in the context of development in general, from local to global. The Kyoto Conference adopted two general strategies: the introduction of science into aquaculture from a traditional perspective up to that point, and the expansion of aquaculture development through regional cooperation. The Government has translated this strategy into policies and actions with the assistance initially received from bilateral and multilateral agencies.
The reason for the Bangkok conference is 24 years since the Kyoto Conference to reassess the trend in aquaculture development and to develop strategies to facilitate their sustainable growth. Around 567 aquaculture species are currently being cultivated worldwide, representing a wealth of genetic diversity within and between species. Aquaculture is practiced by some of the poorest farmers in developing countries, as do multinational corporations at the same time.
Fish consumption is part of the cultural tradition of many people. In terms of health benefits, fish enjoy excellent nutritional value. It is a good source of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and basic micronutrients.
Water plants such as seaweed are also an important source in the aquaculture sector because they provide food and livelihoods, in addition to their industrial uses. 80 percent of the production of the aquaculture sector comes from low-grade animals in the food chain, such as grass-eating fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Based on the dynamic performance of the aquaculture sector over the past 30 years, and given the relatively stable production of the natural fisheries sector, a major part of the future growth of the fishery sector may come from aquaculture.
Sustainable strategies for the aquaculture sector need to:
Recognize the fact that farmers have got interesting results from agriculture
Ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits and costs.
Encourage wealth creation and job creation.
Ensure universal access to adequate food.
Managing the environment in ways that benefit future generations.
Ensure systematic aquaculture development, through better regulation within the authority and within the industry itself.
Aquaculture and FAO
FAO is fully aware of the growth and enhancement of the aquaculture sector's contribution to food security and therefore helps through the adoption of a Responsible Fisheries Code of Ethics that:
Encourage the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector, particularly in developing countries, by improving the sector's environmental performance through the promotion of health and biosecurity management, Provide systematic analysis and reporting on the status and trends of aquaculture development at global and regional levels, as well as sharing knowledge and information. Develop and implement effective policies and legal frameworks to promote the sustainable and equitable development of the fisheries sector and to improve social and economic benefits.
The FAO Sub-Committee on Aquaculture also provides a forum for consultation and discussion on the sector. FAO Fisheries Committee (COFI) advises on technical/technical issues and aspects of aquaculture policy and FAO work. FAO also provides a wealth of information and tools related to aquaculture development, as well as addressing issues and opportunities worldwide.
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