Problems of coastal aquaculture development are numerous but the following are the principal ones common to most of the countries concerned:
Lack of information about the characteristics of cultured species
Life and habits under normal conditions in its natural habitat, and under the created conditions in which cultivation is to take place; favoured ecological and environmental conditions; habits and requirements for successful reproduction and propagation; food habits and nutritional requirements; enemies and competitors.
Lack of technical skill and experience to manage a favourable environment for the cultured species
To preserve ecological and environmental conditions favourable to the cultured species, or to bring about a progressive change of such conditions; to create and maintain a new habitat with favourable conditions, including selection of site, planning of farm layout (ponds and water supply and drainage system), construction and maintenance of the farm; to manage and maintain the environmental conditions, especially favourable water conditions.
Lack of skill and experience in culture techniques and operation
To maintain supplies of stocking material including location of new fry grounds and improvements in gear and techniques for fry collection and handling, to perform basic work on the production of stocking material under controlled conditions, to establish hatcheries and nurseries; to improve stocking manipulation and fish population management; to establish and maintain growths of natural food organism in the ponds through application of fertilizers and management of water conditions; to develop suitable and cheap formulated feeds; to investigate mortalities: to diagnose causes and develop measures for prevention and control.
Lack of capability or experience of the technical officers in applying the technical knowledge and information and lack of extension pamphlets.
The lack of trained and experienced technical personnel of all grades - pond operators, fish and shrimp farmers, extension workers, biologists/aquaculturists - is a serious problem to all countries in this region. A large number of persons have received general training in fisheries but few are specialized in coastal aquaculture.
The speed, magnitude and degree of success of coastal aquaculture development in this region will depend principally on the numbers and quality of the national technical personnel trained. The importance of conducting technical training courses to produce the needed manpower cannot be overemphasized.
Training courses for biologists/culturists and extension workers can be organized and conducted on regional basis. Training of pond operators and farmers should be held on a country basis.
There is a general lack of reliable sources of financing for (1) capital investment - purchase of land, construction of ponds and related water supply and drainage system, purchase of heavy equipment, etc., and (2) operating expenses - costs of stocking material, fertilizers, feeds, wages for labour and management, etc.
Pond operators usually have to borrow money from lenders who charge very high rates of interest, thus creating continuous indebtedness, and handicapping expansion of the operation. There is an urgent need for organized loan and credit services and/or cooperatives.
Pollution of coastal and estuarine waters has increased during the last few years so that its effects have been felt on coastal aquaculture in several countries. This problem is treated in some detail in the next section of this report.
To realize the enormous potentials for the development of coastal aquaculture in the South China Sea countries will require great effort, both at the national and international levels. The principal problems that require priority attention are:
Development policies
Priority attention needs to be given to the improvement and extension of existing practices, followed by introduction of new cultural practices.
