Culture-based fisheries

Culture-based fisheries (CBF) are stock enhancement practices to improve the productivity of water bodies that do not have enough natural recruitment to support a capture fishery. The stocked seed usually rely on the natural productivity of the water body as food supply.

CBF is usually conducted in small water bodies, which are often communally managed by local communities, and the where the seed is owned either individually or collectively. CBF practices are therefore a form of aquaculture.

Creative Commons Attribution.

In this collection

Community consultation in culture-based fisheries

People-oriented approaches for engaging communities in culture-based fisheries development.

Multiple use of water resources in culture-based fisheries

Harmonising culture-based fisheries with other users and uses of water resources.

Species selection in culture-based fisheries

A technical presentation on selection of appropriate species in culture-based fisheries.

Assessment of production potential

A presentation on technical assessment of water bodies for culture-based fisheries production potential.

Hydrobiological characterisation of water bodies for CBF development

A presentation on assessment of the suitability of water bodies for culture-based fisheries development.

Culture-based fisheries experiences, practices and constraints in Vietnam

A presentation on the current state of culture-based fisheries practices in Vietnam.

CBF experiences, current practices and constraints in China

A presentation on the current state of culture-based fisheries practices in China.

Culture-based fisheries: What, why, where and how?

A briefing on the context and relevance of culture-based fisheries in rural development.

Why fish and aquaculture?

Video presentation on the rationale for increased fish production and consumption.

First training course on culture-based fisheries held in Nha Trang, Vietnam

The first ever Regional Training Course on Culture-based Fisheries in Inland Waters was held at Nha Trang University from 30 October to 8 November. The objective of the course was to provide participants with the skills to assist local communities to plan and manage culture-based fisheries. These practices are an example of a relatively simple and low cost technology that can deliver nutritional and economic benefits to rural communities, which often have few livelihood options.

Aquaculture Asia Magazine, July-September 2017

In this issue:

Regional network on culture-based fisheries and stock enhancement; trout fisheries in the uplands of Arunachal Pradesh - resources and opportunities; empowering young Indian women through entrepreneurship development - opportunities and constraints; a view on murrel (snakehead) fisheries in India; hybrid catfish Clarias batrachus x Heteropneustes fossilis produced by farmers in West Bengal, India; Backyard fish based pig farming using low-cost feed in Arunachal Pradesh - a success story; NACA Newsletter.

NACA Newsletter, Vol. XXXII, No. 3, July-September 2017

In this issue:

28th NACA Governing Council, Dhaka, Bangladesh; register for the First Regional Training Course on Culture-based Fisheries; 11th Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum, Kochi, 21-24 November; audio recordings for regional feed consultation now available; tilapia lake virus; Proceedings of the International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health and Epidemiology for Sustainable Asian Aquaculture; ICAR-CIBA launch "Vanami Shrimpapp", a mobile app on Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) farming; Pakistan officials train on aquaculture certification.

First Regional Training Course on Culture-based Fisheries: Register now!

Communal harvesting of a culture-based fishery, Lao PDR.

There are many initiatives underway which are designed to increase food supply, employment and income opportunities, most of which require considerable capital inputs. Often overlooked, are the opportunities to produce more food from the natural productivity of local ecosystems. Culture-based fisheries are one example of a relatively simple and low cost technology which can deliver nutritional and economic benefits to communities which often have few livelihood options.

The first Regional Training Course on Culture-based Fisheries will be held from 29 October to 9 November 2017 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The course is designed to guide development professionals in the design of culture-based fisheries managed by local communities.

Aquaculture Asia Magazine

Aquaculture Asia Magazine.

Aquaculture Asia Magazine is an autonomous publication that gives farmers and scientists in developing countries a voice. Stories concern the small-scale aquaculture prevalent in the region and the circumstances of farmers trying to make ends meet in an increasingly globalised world. We accept articles on any aspect of aquaculture and the related processing, marketing, economic, environmental and social issues. An RSS feed is available if you wish to stay informed of new issues.

Technical publications

NACA publishes technical papers and manuals for a wide variety of farming systems and related environmental and social issues. Many of these provide guidance on better management practices with a view to improving crop outcomes and on-farm resource utilisation efficiency. By using inputs such as feed and power more efficiently, farmers can simultaneously improve their profitability and environmental performance.

Workshop and conference proceedings

NACA frequently organises technical workshops and consultations on aspects of aquaculture. The proceedings of such meetings are made available for free download. Audio and video recordings of technical presentations are also available for some meetings (please see the podcast section).

Podcasts & videos

NACA publishes audio and video recordings of presentations from technical workshops and conferences. You may listen or view the presentations via the player within the website, or download them for later use. Our audio files are in mp3 format, while video files are in mp4.

Projects

NACA-ACIAR projects developed hatchery technology for tropical groupers and other marine finfish.

NACA implements collaborative development assistance projects on issues of regional interest. Individual projects draw heavily on the personnel and facilities of participating centres in member states. Projects are essentially implemented by participating centres with the Secretariat acting as a coordinating body. NACA supports technical exchange, capacity building, institutional strengthening and policies for sustainable aquaculture development. Network partners include research centres, member governments, farmer associations, development agencies and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Publications

NACA publishes a wide range of aquaculture publications including technical manuals, workshop proceedings, better practice guidelines and several serials including Aquaculture Asia Magazine, the NACA Newsletter and the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report. To keep up to date with developments you could consider subscribing to our RSS feed

What are culture-based fisheries?

Community harvesting a culture-based fishery, Na Muang.

Culture-based fisheries (CBF) are often conducted in small water bodies, perennial and or seasonal, that retain water for at least six to eight months of the year. CBF are stock enhancement practices in water bodies that are generally incapable of supporting sustainable fisheries through self-recruiting fish populations, and where the stock is managed and owned, either individually and or collectively. Feed is rarely added and the stock are left to forage on natural foods.