8.1. Background
8.2. Research Needs
Fisheries play an important role in food production, income generation and the provision of employment in developing countries. The number of full-time fishermen in developing countries has been estimated at 12.9 million, of whom 80% live in Asia, 12% in sub-Saharan Africa, 6% in Latin America and the Caribbean and 2% in West Asia-North Africa (ICLARM, 1991). In addition, there are many millions of part-time fishermen. Water covers 70% of the earth's surface, and the total production of aquatic commodities amounts to 95 million tonnes annually, of which 85% is in the form of finfish, 4% crustaceans, 7% molluscs and 4% seaweeds. Fish and fish products provide 20% of animal protein and 4% of dietary protein in developing countries, but these averages mask the fact that in several countries this share is at least twice as high. The total gross value of world fisheries production is almost US$ 25 billion per year, of which 52% originates from marine capture fish, 18% from inland capture fish, 16% from inland culture fish and 14% from marine culture fish. Fish account for 4% of the total value of production of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Approximately 55% of the gross value of fish production originates in Asia, 32% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 8% in sub-Saharan Africa and 5% in West Asia-North Africa (TAC/CGIAR, 1990).
Of the global aquatic production, only 12% originates from aquaculture, but in value terms this share amounts to 29%. Aquaculture differs from capture fisheries just as agriculture does from hunting and gathering. Aquaculture, as in the case of agriculture, and even more than in capture fisheries, requires ownership or control over the aquatic resources (commodity) and space. It implies action to direct energy flows in the ecosystem towards the commodity produced. During 1986, total world aquaculture production amounted to 11 million tonnes, of which 50% consisted of finfish, 4% crustaceans, 21% molluscs and 25% seaweeds. About 82% of world aquaculture production originates in Asia, but in terms of value this share amounts to 97%. The value of culture fisheries exceeds that of many 'traditional' CGIAR commodities such as beans, sorghum, milk and groundnuts.
The demand for fish and fish products has been growing rapidly in recent decades, but most of the traditional sources of fish, such as marine stocks, are already being fully exploited and in many cases overexploited. Capture marine fisheries appear to be reaching a production plateau, despite a sharp growth in capture capacity. If so, more research on stock assessment and management will be required to sustain production at its current levels. As supplies have levelled off, prices have started to rise rapidly. The increasing demand for fish and fish products will have to be met by expanding aquaculture production and improving fisheries management. Recent attention to fisheries has been fuelled by increasing concern for the conservation of coastal and freshwater environments.
Attempts to introduce aquaculture to resource-poor farmers with no previous fish farming experience have met with little success. The major constraints to technology adoption appear to be socioeconomic, but there is a lack of appropriate technology for small-scale production.
Previous TAC reports, as well as a recent study undertaken on behalf of several donor agencies, have stressed the need for more research on fisheries (CEC/FAO/UNDP/World Bank, 1991). An international effort on fisheries research would contribute significantly to the CGIAR mission and goals, by leading to sustainable increases in productivity which improve the nutrition and economic well-being of low-income people. Fisheries research could also contribute to the CGIAR goals of better managing and conserving natural resources, improving the policy environment and strengthening national research systems.
At least 1,000 species of fish are captured or cultured, and fish production systems in developing countries are usually multispecies. A commodity approach for setting priorities is therefore inappropriate. Instead, a resource system could be used. ICLARM (1991) has distinguished seven resource systems which reflect aquatic habitats and the people who rely on them. The freshwater systems are catchments, reservoirs and lakes, floodplains, and swamps. The marine systems are estuaries, bays and lagoons, coral reefs, soft-bottom shelves, and upwelling over-shelves.
Coral reefs offer good potential for increases in the yield of capture fisheries through improved management. New management systems for upwelling over-shelves and reservoirs also offer potential. The sustainability of current capture systems, particularly in coastal areas, is a major concern, however. The major gains in aquaculture could come from catchments, lakes and reservoirs.
Despite the potential for increased production, the gap between supply and demand for fish is expected to widen between now and the year 2000.
CGIAR efforts should focus on strategic research to improve the management of fisheries for sustainable increases in production, with special emphasis on the biological and social bases for increasing the potential of both capture fisheries and aquaculture.
TAC's report on the expansion of the CGIAR outlined the needs for international research on fisheries in each of the world's major developing regions. With respect to resource conservation and management, there was a need to examine fisheries management in all regions. Priority areas in fish productivity research included studies on fish nutrition, particularly the nutritional requirements of cultured species, the nutritional constraints in extensive and semi-intensive systems, and the development of alternative feedstuffs. The development of appropriate small-scale fish production systems was of particular relevance to Asia, but with spillover potential for other regions. Such studies should focus on pond productivity and nutrient dynamics, especially in semi-intensive systems, and on the carrying capacity of open aquatic systems. Improving germplasm and maintaining the quality of stocks of key species was also a priority area. There was a need for constraint analysis on pests and diseases, and for studies on seed propagation methods. Research on policy and socioeconomics should also receive high priority. Given the weakness of national fisheries institutions, a major effort to strengthen these is necessary.
On the advice of TAC, the CGIAR has requested ICLARM to develop a strategic plan for fisheries research in the CGIAR. The Centre was also the subject of an External Programme and Management Review. The report of this review was discussed at TAC 57 together with a draft strategic plan for international fisheries research. TAC's views on the priorities for fisheries research were formulated at that time. The analysis of ACIAR (Fearn and Davis, 1991) on priorities among fisheries commodities was also used as an additional aid to TAC's deliberations.
