5.1 Government policy in the region
5.2 Government organization in the region
5.3 Aquaculture legislation
5.4 Trade and business associations
5.5 Information resources for management
5.6 Technical assistance projects in the sub-sector
In the West Asia region, most of the countries have realized the significant role aquaculture can play in the national economy and it is reflected in their overall planning. For example, in India all the 25 states and 5 union territories have taken up programmes on aquaculture. The methodologies vary from place to place but the thrust remains on aquaculture. It is not possible to detail the policies of all the countries, but the following are the common goals of the governments within the region.
(i) Increase aquaculture production and productivity per unit area to meet increasing demands of local consumers as well as export markets;(ii) improve technology and cost efficiency of different culture techniques;
(iii) optimize effectiveness of manpower;
(iv) provide job opportunities to rural unemployed youths in general and fishermen in particular;
(v) maintain, preserve and improve ecosystems by supplementing fish production through aquaculture;
(vi) improve per caput consumption of fish by providing adequate quantities at reasonable prices;
(vii) provide better returns to the farmer, and
(viii) provide technical, financial, and managerial support for aquaculture development.
Government organization varies within the region in respect to aquaculture.
In Indonesia the Director-General of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Agriculture, is primarily the chief administrator for management and development of the fisheries sector. He is head of administration at the provincial, district, and sub-district levels and is responsible for policies, planning, execution, development, research, training, etc. In Pakistan however, fisheries developments are greatly decentralized and are considered as a state subject. Provincial Directorates of Fisheries are responsible for development within their regions. The Federal Fisheries Board, an advisory body, determines the National Fisheries Policy in Pakistan. The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Federal Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Zoological Survey Department, and various agricultural universities also contribute toward fisheries development.
In Thailand the Department of Fisheries is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC). It was formed under the Fisheries Act of 1947 and deals with all the activities of fisheries development, including aquaculture. The DOF is headed by the Director-General of Fisheries assisted by the Deputy Director-General who is responsible for development within five divisions. Besides the DOF, the country also has a National Institute for Coastal Aquaculture, Brackishwater Fisheries Division, and a Fisheries Marketing Organization.
The entire economy of the Maldives is dependent upon fisheries activities and so the sector has priority in terms of government structure. About 44% of the entire population is engaged in fisheries activities, almost exclusively capture fisheries. The Fishery Advisory Board, created in 1979 under the Ministry of Fisheries, advises the government on fishery policies. The Department of Tourism and Foreign Investment, the Department of Finance and Planning, the Department of Public Safety, the State Trading Organization, the Ministry of Transport and local governments of island chiefs, also contribute toward fisheries development. The Malaysian Fisheries Departments are under the Ministry of Agriculture. Malaysia has both marine and inland divisions, and also recognizes aquaculture separately.
Nepal and Sri Lanka have a Minister of Fisheries and a Secretary of Fisheries. There is a special post of aquaculturist under the Permanent Secretary of Fisheries and aquaculture has a prominent role to play in both these countries.
The responsible agency for fisheries development in Sri Lanka is the Department of Fisheries which has under it the following agencies: Marine Fisheries Division; Training, Education, Planning and Programme Division; the Inland Fisheries Division and Coastal Conservation. The Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation, and the National Aquatic Resources Agency also are involved in various aspects of the country's aquaculture industry.
Since fisheries in India is a state subject, each state has its own fisheries department, either under a separate ministry or under some other ministries, for example. Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Agriculture, Forestry, and Conservation, etc. The Department of Fisheries in most of the states is headed by an administrative or technical director with additional directors, joint directors, deputy directors, and fisheries officers posted at the district levels. Besides fully dedicated Fisheries Departments, there are semi-governmental organizations such as Fishery Development Corporations and Fish Seed Development Corporations in almost every state.
In many states Fish Farmers' Development Agencies (FFDAs) have been active since 1980. These FFDAs are under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner of the district and a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). FFDAs help farmers in identifying areas, selecting sites, formulating projects, obtaining government subsidies and loans and training. The FFDAs have been so successful that Brackishwater Fish Farmers' Development Agencies are now being formed.
In addition to fisheries agencies at state level, there is a Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation under a Joint Secretary of Fisheries and the Commissioner of Fisheries Development. There are several deputy commissioners, one for each sector, who provide guidance to State governments in the implementation of the Fisheries Development programmes. Aquaculture is being looked after by the Deputy Commissioner, Inland Fisheries.
In most countries within the region, aquaculture is encouraged and licenses are not required for utilizing one's own property. Permission and lease rights are required for government-owned water bodies, lands, etc. In some parts of Asia, sales tax is levied on the sale of production and seed and at the time of purchase of equipment, oil and lubricants, and other farm inputs.
Subsidies in the form of cash and kind ranging from 10% to 50% of project cost are available to fish farmers in some countries like Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Thailand. Besides usual subsidies given by the Department of Fisheries, the Marine Products Export Development Authority of India gives special subsidies for shrimp farm development, and shrimp seed hatcheries and supply.
Bans on the importation of non-indigenous species are not uncommon within the region, although policies are not always clearly established.
Many trade and business associations of traders, producers, exporters, suppliers, and service specialists, exist in the different countries at a national level. For example, there are national associations of shrimp producers, shrimp exporters, fish and shrimp processors, feed millers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, and feed distributors and dealers, etc., who unite to promote their products and services collectively.
These various associations are invariably members of the larger national Chamber of Commerce and Industry in their respective countries. These Chambers may, in turn, have representatives at the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Sources of aquaculture information useful for administrators and managers are available in the region in the form of published materials, and workshops and seminars.
Many of the publications available to aquaculture producers (see 3.8) and professionals (see 4.6) are also used by management. For example, ADB and the World Bank publish monthly information on the status of their projects which invariably includes something on aquaculture. ADB publishes its monthly Operational Information on Proposed Projects, and regular newsletters and announcements on approved loans or technical assistance grants in the region. The latter summarize the scope of the approved projects, including the cost and the services to be required by either the Government agency, in the case of loans, or the Bank (in the case of technical assistance grants).
The World Bank publishes a monthly International Business Opportunities sheet, which summarizes information on the scope and status of approved projects as well as on contracts which have been awarded. These publications are available on a subscription basis only, except for the ADB circular announcements.
Other published material useful to aquaculture managers includes some FAO/ADCP publications (e.g. guideline documents for planning and development, and the newsletter "Aquaculture Minutes"), the INFOFISH "Trade News", and "INFOFISH International". These provide valuable information to aquaculture managers who need current information on supply and demand situations, prices, etc., for both export and import purposes.
There are a number of short-term courses and orientation workshops and seminars conducted specifically for managers. One example is the Aquaculture Project Development and Management course offered by SEAFDEC-AQD jointly with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Agriculture in the Philippines. This is open only to professional managers with several years of experience in a managerial position. The course puts emphasis on the financial and management aspects of aquaculture enterprises. In the Philippines there are also short-term courses for managers which focus on the preparation and evaluation of feasibility studies, particularly on financial investment.
Technical assistance in sector management and programme development is frequently included as part of specific development projects in the region. Strengthening of capabilities at the management levels and budgets to assist in implementing policies and programmes are often identified as needs within sector studies. Even projects with very specific aims often examine the overall context of the aquaculture industry in the region or country, thereby identifying and often funding technical assistance in management and policy development. No specific activities have been identified, although there is undoubtedly some activity.
