Environment and Sustainability

Global population is forecast to reach around 9 billion by 2050. To feed the world, global agricultural output must increase by around 60% from present levels. This must be achieved against a background of increasing competition for natural resources such as water, feed ingredients and farming sites.

Maintaining environmental integrity while massively increasing food production will require farming systems to reduce their unit production environmental footprint. Many farming practices that are regarded as sustainable today will not be acceptable when scaled up. Sustainable intensification of aquaculture means doing more with less. The Environment and Sustainability Programme aims to help aquaculture become a more efficient user of natural resources, both in terms of farm productivity and environmental efficiency.

The programme develops better management practices for major aquaculture farming systems, and promotes aquaculture as a secondary or additional use of water resources. The programme focusses on practical interventions that can be directly achieved by small-scale farmers in a developing country context.

Key activities

Key activities of the programme are:

  • Development of better management practices for key aquaculture production systems.
  • Organising small-scale farmers into associations to facilitate cluster-based approaches to extension.
  • Development of culture-based fisheries as a secondary use of water bodies.
  • Development of strategic policy frameworks to guide governments and development agencies in promoting sustainable intensification of aquaculture.

Creative Commons Attribution.

Related

Subject tags

A collection of subject tags relating to technical matters.

In this collection

Guidelines for environmental management of aquaculture investments in Vietnam

This document provides an analysis of the environmental impacts and risks associated with aquaculture development in Viet Nam and guidance on better environmental management and monitoring for its future development. Part 1 provides a summary of the main findings, and guidelines for future development of the aquaculture sector. Part 2 provides the detailed case study findings. The guidelines presented in Part 1 are based on cases studies of all major aquaculture commodities in Viet Nam.

Princípios Internacionais para a Carcinicultura Responsável

O Cultivo de Camarão é um dos setores de mais rápido crescimento na aqüicultura em várias partes do mundo e também o mais controverso. A rápida expansão deste setor possibilitou a geração de renda para muitos países, entretanto, ela tem sido acompanhada por crescentes preocupações sobre seus impactos ambientais e sociais. Os Princípios Internacionais para a Carcinicultura Responsável provêm a base sobre a qual todas as partes interessadas poderão colaborar para um desenvolvimento mais sustentável do cultivo de camarão.

Principios Internacionales para el Cultivo Responsable de Camarón

El cultivo de camarón es uno de los sectores de la acuicultura de más rápido crecimiento y también uno de los más polémicos en muchas partes del mundo. La rápida expansión de este sector generó ingresos para muchos países, pero ha estado acompañada por preocupaciones crecientes relacionadas con sus impactos ambientales y sociales. Los Principios Internacionales para el Cultivo Responsable de Camarón proporcionan las bases sobre las cuales los diversos participantes pueden colaborar en pro de un desarrollo más sostenible de la camaronicultura.

Shrimp health management brochures

Shrimp Health Management brochures provide better management practices in a reader friendly format. These brochures were prepared as extension materials through the village based demonstration programme by the Marine Products Export Development Authority of India and NACA. The programme continues building success and involved a total of 29 villages and 29 Aquaclubs in five Indian states (Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Orissa, Gujarat, and Karnataka) in 2006.

NACA Newsletter Volume XXI, No. 4, October-December 2006

In this issue:

International shrimp farming principles welcomed by countries. Discussions on the establishment of a "Mahseer R&D Centre". Microsatellite DNA markers for mahseer are now available. First study on genetic variation of the critically endangered Mekong giant catfish. IMNV found in Asia-Pacific. Thailand and US to jointly install tsunami wave sensors. Co-management in aquaculture explored at APFIC Forum. Virus may control Australia's feral carp problem. A milestone in India's sustainable shrimp farming efforts. Fish introduction in India: Status, challenges and potentials. 8th Asian Fisheries Forum. STREAM Update. Website management training to support Thai Post-tsunami Rehabilitation website.

Principles to practice

Two in-country projects, in India and Vietnam, have provided good examples of translating the International Principles on Responsible Shrimp Farming into specific better management practices (BMPs) adapted to local farming conditions and ensuring their implementation by relevant stakeholders. The results range from improved yields, less impact on the environment, wholesome products, and better relations among players in the market chain. In short, the implementation of the BMPs has provided benefits to the farmers, environment and society.

International Principles for Responsible Shrimp Farming

Shrimp farming is one of the fastest growing aquaculture sectors in many parts of the world and also one of the most controversial. Rapid expansion of this sector generated income fo many countries, but has been accompanied by rising concerns over environmental and social impacts. The International Principles for Responsible Shrimp Farming provide the basis upon which stakeholders can collaborate for a more sustainable development of shrimp farming.

หลักปฏิบัติระหว่างประเทศว่าด้วยการเลี้ยงกุ้งอย่างรับผิดชอบ

Shrimp farming is one of the fastest growing aquaculture sectors in many parts of the world and also one of the most controversial. Rapid expansion of this sector generated income fo many countries, but has been accompanied by rising concerns over environmental and social impacts. The International Principles for Responsible Shrimp Farming provide the basis upon which stakeholders can collaborate for a more sustainable development of shrimp farming.

Leaflets on better management practices for Penaeus monodon in Vietnam

A series of leaflets on better management practices for Penaeus monodon shrimp aquaculture in Vietnam. The leaflets are available in both Vietnamese and English and cover: Broodstock management for suppliers, postlarvae selection and transportation for seed traders, shrimp seed quality, pond preparation, good pond management, shrimp health management.

Reducing the risk of aquatic animal disease outbreaks and improving environmental management of coastal aquaculture in Viet Nam

This report describes the experiences and lessons learnt from activities conducted by NACA in Viet Nam to support the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector using better management practices and harmonised strategies for the management of aquatic animal health and environmental problems. Achievements included reducing the risk of diseases from seed and on farms, developing capacity at the provincial and national levels, developing an effective surveillance system and wide dissemination of experiences.