|
The first preliminary FAO global fish catch statistics for 1995 indicate that fish production has reached another record 112.9 million tons, representing an increase of 2.4 million tons over the 1994 figures.
This increase is attributed to both capture and aquaculture fisheries, and fish production in the Near East Region is following the same trend. Throughout the Region, many countries have increased their annual capture and aquaculture landings- the Region's overall annual fish landings are now over 4 million tons.
The situation of marine fisheries seems to have little potential for substantial increases in landings except for countries such as Morocco and Mauritania, since both have access to the rich resources of the Atlantic Ocean. Marine fish landings could increase in Oman, Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, since these countries' fisheries include resources from the Indian Ocean. Inland fisheries, however, are restricted to a few countries- such as Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria and Turkey, where inland capture fishery resources are of major importance. The many small bodies of water and reservoirs through the Region could be developed by stocking, and through enhanced management approaches. Aquaculture in fresh and marine waters has received a higher priority in recent years. The main producers of fish from aquaculture are Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, and Iraq. In some countries, such as Syria, Lebanon, Malta, and Cyprus, fish production from aquaculture constitutes a very important source of food for the local market. Finfish is the main product, while other aquaculture products such as mollusks and crustaceans are less so.
Development of fresh-water aquaculture in the Region, which receives strong encouragement from the public and private sectors, is restricted due to scarce water resources. The general development of the sector, however, could take place with the support of development planning, extension services, and development information. Furthermore, to meet the challenges of the fisheries sector, it is necessary to increase supplies of high-protein aqua feeds from conventional and non-conventional sources. In this context, a Bibliographic Database on Aquaculture Nutrition and Feed Technology in the Near East and North Africa Region has been initiated.
With regard to inter and intra-regional trade in fish, the region is not yet a major international trade partner, although substantial inter-regional trade activities could be promoted through the services of the INFOSAMAK Center located in Morocco. RNE continues to support the INFOSAMAK Center, which has been instrumental in the development of the inter-regional trade in fish and fishery products. However, most member countries of the Center have yet to pay their contributions, which are essential for the Center's sustainability. It is hoped that INFOSAMAK will attract more members among Arab States and therefore increase its positive contribution to the fish trade in the region. The implications of the World Trade Organization on the fisheries sector needs to be assessed by the countries of the Region, especially their fish-trading positions and the provisions related to the processing industry and the application of quality management.
|
