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The Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC) provides its members with a regular overview of the status and potential of fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific region. Fish and fisheries are important in supplying animal protein and nutrition to a large part of the Asian-Pacific populations, and are increasingly becoming an important source of income and trade for the region. The region currently produces almost 50 percent of the world's fish from capture fisheries and over 90 percent from aquaculture. The region is very diverse and considerable differences exist within and among the seas in the region. However, despite this diversity there are also many common trends that will have a large impact on the future of fisheries and aquaculture in the region. One alarming trend is the rapid decline in the status of coastal fishery resources and ecosystems throughout the region. Aquaculture production continues to increase at a rapid rate, with a large part of this increase being driven by massive growth in China. However, there are now several constraints that threaten its future growth. For example, aquaculture growth is dependent on the use of "trash fish" for feeding the cultured species (either directly or by processed fish meal/oil), and is not sustainable in the long-term unless major changes take place in the management of capture fisheries and in aquaculture practices. This 2006 report provides an update of the major trends and future potential for fisheries and aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific region and provides an insight into the many challenges that will need to be addressed if fisheries and aquaculture are to continue to contribute significantly to food security and poverty reduction in the region.
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Changchui |
