25 September 2010Imtiaz Ahmad | 4256 views | .mp3 | 6.9 MB
Global aquaculture has not grown evenly around the world. There are marked intra and inter-regional and country variations in a number of areas, such as production level, species composition, farming systems and producer profile. This presentation reviews patterns in global aquaculture development, including regional development, species cultivated, industry composition, research effort, trade and governance issues. As the sector further expands, intensifies and diversifies it should make efforts to address sustainability in a transparent manner.
Aquaculture is frequently criticised for having a negative impact on the environment, which tends to overshadow its contributions to fighting hunger and alleviating poverty. This presentation reviews some of the needs to enhance the sustainability of the sector including knowledge of the basic biology of cultured species and immune systems of aquatic animals, the role of microflora in the production biology of aquatic systems, domestication, and integration of aquaculture practices with fisheries management.
Sustainability of the sector implies technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental integrity and social licence. A sustainable aquaculture sector will benefit every member of society because of its associated invaluable environmental and social amenities. This review examines countries’ recent experiences and the role that aquaculture has played in improving socio-economic growth and development, and to discuss how governance instruments and effective partnership amongst stakeholders can lead to enhanced aquaculture’s net benefits to society.
There is a consensus that modern aquaculture has a business orientation, similar to any small or medium-sized enterprise. For resources to be invested, there must be an enabling economic environment and secure property rights. However, there must also be controls to curb short-sighted business behaviour that damages the ecology or society. This presentation examines aquaculture governance from a global perspective, looking at its current status and the role of governments and stakeholders.