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| Fisheries :: Regional Role |
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Fish provides nutritious food, employment and income for millions of people in Asia and the Pacific. In 2001, capture fishery production from this region accounted for half of world production, with aquaculture alone reaching 89 percent of the global aquaculture production of fish and shellfish.
Fisheries are critical to the food security of most countries in the region and, although demand for fish is increasing, the supply from capture fisheries is unlikely to increase unless some fairly far-reaching management measures are introduced. Marine coastal fisheries in particular are either fully or over-exploited. Aquaculture, and to a lesser extent inland fisheries, may provide some opportunities for further increases in fish production in the region, but only if they are managed sustainably.
The FAO regional office, also working through the
Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC)
– a stautory body of the Organization which presently
has a membership of 20 countries – is addressing these issues by promoting:
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Sound management and sustainable use of resources in fisheries and aquaculture |
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Development of fisheries and aquaculture techniques |
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Responsible aquaculture development |
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Conservation of marine and inland fisheries' resources within the Framework of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries |
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Strengthened regional institutions and international collaboration in support of responsible fisheries |
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Improved fisheries statistics |
Owing to the continuing pressures on fisheries resources in many countries in the region, the central issue remains that of management and sustainability. The prime concern is the need to increase the supply of fish and the economic benefits from fishing by the introduction and enforcement of better management. Generally, coastal resources are severely over-fished by an overcrowded small-scale fishery sector. In many of these domains, the income from fishing as well as the quantity and value of the catch are declining. Fishers are increasingly required to spend more time chasing fewer fish. Conflicts between small-scale fisheries and trawlers in the coastal zones are frequent and fishery management is complicated. Partnerships between local communities and the central government are evolving in some countries in order to develop more effective community-based fishery management systems for local resources.
Aquaculture is becoming an increasingly important source of food and is an important feature of both rural livelihoods as well as economic growth in many Asian countries. It is clear that considerable benefits may be gained by the better integration of aquaculture into overall rural and agricultural development, particularly as pressures on land and water resources increase. The supply of fish from aquaculture could be increased further by the wider application of technological advances in feed development and better management of fish health. The region represents a huge diversity of cultured species and genetic improvement of these cultured species promises greater reliability and economic benefits. The wider application of semi-intensive production systems that use land and water more efficiently are already becoming a visible regional trend.
Governments and FAO are addressing these issues by promoting appropriate policies and programmes. The effective implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries remains the primary goal for FAO in Asia and the Pacific. The code aims to raise awareness – from top officials to local fisher folk – of creating a responsible fishery system that stands on the principles of protecting living aquatic resources and environmental and coastal areas. Central to a responsible fishery system is the development of fishery and aquaculture techniques as well as conservation measures, along with enhanced food security and food quality, by all people engaged in the industry. |
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