announcements Announcements

Participatory Action Learning for Freshwater Aquaculture - Cash Prizes Awarded

In early 2004, plans for participatory action Theme First prize US$ 125 Highly commended US$ 50 learning (PAL) sessions on freshwater 1) Small- The importance of correct How to recognise good quality fi sh larvae aquaculture were sought from people scale pond stocking density Phan Tien Chuong aquaculture Arlene Nietes- Technical Department engaged in extension and training for Satapornvanit Nghe An Extension Centre farmers. This was done through an Senior Project Researcher Trang Thi Ward international competition advertised in a Aquaculture Outreach Vinh City variety of trade journals, magazines, web Project Nghe An Province AARM/SERD Vietnam sites and e-mails, with cash prizes totalling Asian Institute of Tel: +84 038 561 542 US$ 1 500 pledged through the SUFA Technology (Support to Freshwater Aquaculture) PO Box 4, Klong Luang, Nursing small fi sh fry program in Vietnam (Danida and the Pathumthani Arlene Nietes-Satapornvanit 12120 Thailand (Details as before) Government of Vietnam funded) and DSAP [email protected] (Development of Sustainable Aquaculture 2) Integrated No First prize awarded Planning and budgeting for rice-fi sh Project) in Bangladesh (funded by USAID agriculture- cultivation and implemented by WorldFish). aquaculture Tran Thi Tuyet, Vu Thi Bich Ha and Nguyen Hien Thi A panel consisting of SUFA and DSAP staff Business Promotion and Service Center (BPSC) and the competition coordinator completed Alley 149 judging the entries at the end of April 2004. Giang Vo For each theme, a Highly Commended prize Hanoi of US$ 50 was awarded for the entries Vietnam [email protected] that scored between 50-60 percent against 3) Group No entries before closing No entries before closing deadline agreed judging criteria and a First prize of formation and deadline US$ 125 was awarded for entries with a development score of more than 60 percent. 4) Monitoring No First prize awarded Why keep records? and extension Arlene Nietes-Satapornvanit The prize winning entries together with (Details as above) the PAL sessions developed by SUFA will be included in a manual on Participatory Action Learning for aquaculture, which SUFA and DSAP will publish jointly in English, Vietnamese and Bengali.

SUFA and DSAP would like to thank the various institutions, agencies, projects and companies that assisted in promoting and advertising the international PAL competition and all those who took the The photograph above left shows the recently appointed SUFA Danida advisor, Don time to submit entries. Griffi ths, handing over US$ 225 to Ms Arlene Nietes-Satapornvanit from the Asian Institute of Technology. Arlene won one First prize and two Highly Commended prizes for her PAL submissions (see table above).

The photograph on the left shows Mr Phan Tien Chuong from the Nghe An Extension Centre receiving a US$ 50 cash prize from Dr Nguyen Cong Dan (SUFA National Director) for his Highly Commended PAL session entitled How to Recognise Good Quality Fish Larvae.

Tran Thi Tuyet and Nguyen Hien Thi are shown (top right) receiving the US$ 50 prize for their Highly Commended PAL session on Planning and Budgeting for Rice-fi sh Cultivation.

56 NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004 announcements

CGIAR Science Award for Outstanding Scientifi c Support Team 2003 Winner - The FishBase Team Support Team The widespread use and value of FishBase species to 28 585 species without to developing countries as a global sacrifi cing quality, usability or accessibility. Boris Fabres, Team Leader public good is signifi cant and growing. In fact, as the knowledge base has grown, Emily Capuli, Senior Research Associate International peer reviews and user these critical features have improved Rodolfo Reyes, Jr., Research Associate feedback confi rm this. No other natural or signifi cantly through tenacious scientifi c Christine Marie V. Casal, agricultural resource has a knowledge base focus and widening of the base of Research Associate equal in its scope, quality, scientifi c rigor, international collaborators to more than Crispina Binohlan, usability, or cost-effectiveness. It is also a 1 100 institutional and individual partners. Senior Research Assistant model for other resource management The scientifi c quality has also improved systems to follow in its technical design, due to the importance placed by the Susan Luna, Senior Research Assistant networking, mentoring, and use of leading- team on maintaining a creative working Armi Torres, Senior Research edge information technology. environment, team harmony, and sharing Grace T. Pablico, of skills. Senior Research Assistant The building of this unique asset would Pascualita Sa-a, Senior Research Assistant have been impossible without the The resulting scientifi c and human dedication of the Scientifi c Support team effort has produced a valuable Rachel Atanacio, Senior Artist Team of WorldFish biologists and product – FishBase – that commands a Arlene Sampang, computer scientists. The team members unique status, providing a much needed Senior Research Assistant have overcome institutional challenges, resource to developing countries for the Cristina Garilao, Research Assistant networked globally, and persisted in conservation and management of their Josephine Rius, Senior Programmer their efforts to ensure that the system aquatic resources. Visit FishBase at Eli Agbayani, Senior Web Developer expanded from its modest goal of 250 http://www.fi shbase.org today.

FishBase – FishBase is also the largest collection of A Global Public Good geo-referenced fi sh data in the world (1.91 million records), representing over Over the past 16 years the WorldFish 250 years of museum and survey data Center has conceived, initiated and from 40 institutions worldwide. developed FishBase – internationally recognized as the premier database and It is also available and updated monthly information system on the world’s fi shes. on the web in 13 languages at http:// FishBase is the most comprehensive www.fi shbase.org through CGNET (USA) knowledge source on any taxonomic and the mirror web sites of collaborators group and contains a wide range in France, Germany, Sweden, and Taiwan. of country and ecosystem-specifi c information. It also provides analytical An international consortium of the tools to assess fi shery impacts, especially WorldFish Center, Food and Agriculture for knowledge creation in data-poor Organization (United Nations), Fisheries situations, and online fora for technical Centre (University of British Colombia, advice – connecting users to enhance Canada), Institut für Meereskunde (Kiel knowledge and learning. The knowledge University, Germany), Muséum National content of FishBase includes fi sh Christine Casal receiving the award on d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France), behalf of the FishBase team. taxonomy, morphology, images, ecology, Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale ecosystem characteristics, trophic (Tervuren, Belgium), and the Swedish relationships and diet, reproduction, referenced and environmental data, Museum of Natural History (Stockholm, ontogeny, genetics, population dynamics, multi-lingual glossaries, and international Sweden) has been created to guide its identifi cation keys, diseases, local agreements. Over 100 report types are growth, in addition to the active scientifi c nomenclature (common names), geo- available. contributions of 1116 institutional and

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individual collaborators in over 100 and delivery of international training 6. Los Baños, Philippines (2-5 December countries. FishBase content and use and capacity-strengthening courses and 2003). Regional Workshop on Building have been reviewed formally in several workshops on applications of information Capacity for Developing National high impact scientifi c journals including technology in fi sheries and biodiversity Aquatic Information Systems. The Nature and through online users. The management in developing countries: Workshop was attended by 16 FishBase website has been cited for its participants from 6 countries. high scientifi c quality by the Institute for 1. Noumea, Caledonia (20-31 October Scientifi c Information (ISI) Current Web 1997). The course was attended by 13 The result of the FishBase Scientifi c Contents program. Over 450 publications participants from 8 countries in the Support Team’s efforts is that the have utilized and cited FishBase. The Pacifi c region. world community, especially developing FishBase web site with over 11 million 2. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (21 country stakeholders involved in aquatic hits per month has become the premier May-3 June 1998). The course was biodiversity and fi sheries management, fi sh information system for the world, and attended by 22 participants from 14 now has at its disposal as a Global Public the leading web site within the CGIAR in countries in the Caribbean. Good a reliable, high quality, and growing terms of its global use. 3. Swakopmund, Namibia (30 knowledge compendium, unique in its November-11 December 1998). comprehensiveness, usability and access. These achievements represent the The course was attended by 14 This is of special value for national aquatic scientifi c creativity, productivity and participants from 8 countries of research system (NARS) scientists, industry of the FishBase Scientifi c Support Southern Africa. resource managers, and NGO’s. This Team of the WorldFish Center. The 4. Dakar, Senegal (12-23 April 1999). global capacity would not be possible members of this scientifi c team include The course was attended by 34 without the FishBase Scientifi c Support biologists and computer scientists. They participants from 15 countries in Team, with each member responsible for have been the architects, engineers and West and Central Africa. incorporating and maintaining high quality builders of FishBase. The FishBase Scientifi c 5. Nairobi, Kenya (23 August-3 data in specifi c areas of focus, developing Support Team has also produced over 50 September 1999). The course was reports and analytical tools that provide publications, presentations and posters, and attended by 30 participants from 10 easy access to and use of the globally has been instrumental in the organization East African countries. assembled knowledge.

CGIAR Science Award for Outstanding Partnership 2003 Winner - The Community Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) project

Executed by the WorldFish Center, different users and plan improvements to Partner Institutions: in collaboration with several national water bodies that will lead to increased WorldFish Center, CGIAR partner organizations in Bangladesh, fi sh diversity and productivity. The Department of Fisheries (DOF), Ministry this project provides a highly visible, Through its holistic and inclusive of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh technologically appropriate and eminently approach, the project is contributing Banchte Shekha replicable model for contemporary rural signifi cantly to CGIAR’s goal of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers development. It has clearly demonstrated achieving poverty reduction and Association (BELA) the signifi cant benefi ts that can result increased food security in developing BRAC from the creation of appropriate countries, whilst also supporting the CARITAS stakeholder institutions that allow for goals of the Convention on Biological Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS) increased participation and control by Diversity through the re-introduction of Center for Rural and Environment Development (CRED) the local communities of their natural endangered fi sh species. Grassroots Health and Rural Organization for resources. This exemplary model of sustainable Nutrition Initiative (GHARONI) management of freshwater fi sheries has FemCom Bangladesh The CBFM project has been a major been developed over several years and PROSHIKA factor in the empowerment of the local the system is tried and tested. It is now Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram population through the formation of being successfully exported, with the (SHISUK) committees to manage the rivers, work required adaptations, to new sites and Society Development Committee (SDC) together to build a consensus among the new countries.

58 NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004 announcements

Community Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) – Bangladesh

The central aim of this ongoing project is to empower communities to make informed and appropriate decisions on the use and management of the fi sheries upon which they depend. It also works to improve equity and overall fi shing community livelihoods both from fi shing and from additional income sources.

The CBFM was born of a growing realization that community management of the wetland fi sheries played an insignifi cant role despite the fact that these wetlands produced around 46 percent of all fi sh consumed in the country, and that more than 70 percent of households in the fl oodplain region catch Mr A. Islam, from CNRS, accepting the award on behalf of the CBFM project. fi sh either for income or food. It was also clear that fi shers in Bangladesh were poor not only from low income, but because (BELA) gives assistance with issues in the early monsoon period has allowed they lacked livelihood assets - including related to environmental protection native fi sh to breed. This has also led access to fi shing grounds, education, legislation; FemCom Bangladesh to an increase in fi sh diversity – by 30 fi nance and a role in decision-making. – a professional women’s media group percent or more in some cases. – makes fi lms and other audio visual Phase one of the project (1994-1999) materials to promote public awareness The CBFM project has helped local involved the establishment of co- and participation in project activities; communities to restore the condition operative relationships between the the large number of national NGOs of degraded habitats. In 2003 when a WorldFish Center, the Bangladesh provide skills for operating micro-credit link channel between the Sinharagi beel Department of Fisheries (DOF), fi ve facilities and to support local community (small lake) and the Dhaleswari river non-governmental organizations and management of their fi sheries over a was reopened the total catch of fi sh more than 5,000 households living wide geographical range. increased by six times and the diversity around 19 separate water bodies. soared from 46 to 63 species (CNRS and The project is now in phase two and On-the-ground benefi ts have been PROSHIKA). has expanded to include 11 NGOs remarkable. Led by different groups and private organizations, and more within the partnership (highlighted in The restocking of water bodies has than 23,000 households around 113 the brackets), a raft of new initiatives proven particularly effective with water bodies. It is being supported by and activities has produced measurable production increased by 70-200 percent the UK Department for International increases in productivity and reductions due to community management and Development (DFID) through a grant to in poverty. On the Fatki river (DOF/ improved techniques (Center for Rural the WorldFish Center. Centre for Natural Resource Studies and Environment Development). [CNRS]), fi shing by split bamboo One of the major reasons for barricades has been reduced to allow During the second phase of the the CBFM’s success has been its migratory fi sh stock to escape with the community based project CNRS collaborative approach and the diverse aim of enhancing the future overall fi sh reintroduced six locally threatened range of skills available within the catch from the river and canals. fi sh species thereby contributing to different partner organizations. The protection and maintenance of national DOF provides the essential link to New fi sh sanctuaries have been biodiversity. national government policy, local advice, established in 49 project water bodies support and facilitation; the Bangladesh for the protection of brood fi sh over the Through the CBFM project the national Environmental Lawyers Association winter and a voluntary freeze on fi shing NGO BRAC helped a fi shing community

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in the Rangpur district to organize and improve livelihoods within the Phase two of the project is now adding themselves and raise a pollution problem community. to this body of knowledge by generating with the local Member of Parliament. a policy dialogue and helping to fi nd Discussions with the polluter led to the Just as importantly, the project has agreement on a process for policy industry taking new measures to treat shown that it has signifi cant potential for formulation for pro-poor sustainable its effl uent and divert it away from the application in the fl oodplain regions of fi s h e r i e s m a n a g e m e n t . water body used for fi sh production. other developing countries, and has been adapted and extended to deeper fl ooded The WorldFish Center plays a pivotal The NGO partners have been especially areas in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam role in this community partnership successful in the provision of new and to other regions of Bangladesh. project. It is the glue that binds the skills and in the support of health and players together providing motivation, education. Micro-credit facilities have The experiences and lessons learned coordination, and communication, formed a small but vital part of this from phase one of the project led to facilitating a participation process that project. Revolving loan funds provide a variety of new community-based has led one elderly person from the credit that covers fi sh processing as management schemes. These have been Rangpur district to say: “we had hard well as non-fi sheries dependent income disseminated widely to inform and times … but it is wise to have a better generating activities that help to diversify infl uence fi sheries policy stakeholders. future.”

CGIAR Science Award for Outstanding Journalism 2003 Winner - Natasha Loder - ‘The promise of a blue revolution’

Natasha Loder, journalist for The The escapes of farmed salmon and their Economist (London) was selected by the threat to native wild populations through CGIAR panel to receive the 2003 Science interbreeding and competition are well- Award for Outstanding Journalism. documented. Pollution from food waste, antibiotics and other chemicals threatens Her article ‘The promise of a blue the environment and human health. revolution’ clearly expressed the issues The consequence of this fundamental and problems that are being faced by shift in the source of fi sh for human the global fi sh industry. The imbalance consumption has profound policy between the demand for fi sh and implications, especially in developing fi sh products and its supply in the countries. marketplace is increasingly being met by the aquaculture industry, which now Ms Loder believed these important accounts for 30 percent of total fi sh issues demand a platform for expression. production. It is also a major contributor They need to be placed centre stage to the economies of developing and discussed at the highest levels; the countries and forms an important general public needs to be aware of livelihood for the poor. the changes taking place and the policy makers need to understand both sides of However, the continued development of the arguments. She clearly and succinctly aquaculture will increasingly rely on the broadcast this message through her development of improved strains of fi sh article in The Economist in August 2003. with faster growth and better survival Ms N. Loder - The Economist. rates. The introduction of new strains The WorldFish Center nominated the requires strong regulatory environments author on account of the global impact for monitoring and enforcement, a created by this particular article and the World Wide Web. There is no doubt pre-requisite often lacking in both level of debate it has raised, witnessed that this article has clearly made the developed and developing countries. through citations and discussions on the desired impact.

60 NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004 announcements

Workshop on Charting Multidisciplinary Research and Action Priorities Towards the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Sea Turtles in the Pacifi c Ocean: A Focus on Malaysia 16-17 August 2004, Terengganu, Malaysia

The WorldFish Center; Department provided an important forum for of Fisheries, Malaysia; National linking the Roundtable Discussion on Oceanography Directorate, Malaysia; the Conservation of Turtles in Malaysia Maritime Institute of Malaysia; University organized in 2003 with the follow up College of Science and Technology of actions of the Bellagio Conference Terengganu, Malaysia; and WWF Malaysia on the Conservation and Sustainable co-organized a Workshop on Charting Management of Sea Turtles in the Pacifi c Multidisciplinary Research and Action Ocean organized in 2003 (Box 1). A Priorities Towards the Conservation and Blueprint for Action on Pacifi c Sea Turtles Sustainable Management of Sea Turtles in has been published by the WorldFish Launching of the Bellagio Blueprint the Pacifi c Ocean: A Focus on Malaysia in Center – ‘What can be done to restore for Action in conjunction with the sea Terengganu on 16-17 August 2004. Pacifi c turtle populations?’ (Downloadable turtles workshop in Malaysia on from www.worldfi shcenter.org) 16 August 2004. Over 40 specialists from Malaysia and resource persons from the Philippines, The Workshop was hosted and given Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and the US strong support by the State Government by the Director of the Terengganu State met at the two-day conference to chart of Terengganu. Representing the Chief Economic Planning Unit and Deputy new directions in the conservation of Minister of Terengganu, Datuk Seri Idris State Secretary (Development), Tuan Haji sea turtles in Malaysia. The workshop bin Jusoh, the workshop was offi ciated Mazlan Bin Ngah.

The main objectives of the Workshop Box 1. Bellagio Conference on the Conservation and Sustainable Management were to: of Sea Turtles in the Pacific Ocean. • consolidate existing work and identify A unique group of 25 specialists met from 17-21 November 2003 at the Bellagio multidisciplinary research priorities Conference Center in Italy to create a much-needed blueprint for the conservation of for the effective conservation and sea turtles in the Pacifi c Ocean. The group included economists, marine policy experts, management of sea turtles in Malaysia; fi sheries professionals, natural resource management specialists and researchers from • review and examine national and government, non-government agencies and private institutions. regional policy instruments for the effective conservation and The participants provided a diverse range of disciplines and international involvement management of sea turtles; and that resulted in a vital and revolutionary platform for identifying and establishing • develop a multisectoral action plan workable solutions to address cross-sectoral and complex problems relating to the and strategy for implementation by conservation of sea turtles. key agencies and stakeholders.

The specialists concluded that the blueprint must address: (1) the protection of all The meeting suggested a 15-point action nesting beaches; (2) reduction of turtle-take at sea and in coastal fi sheries; strategy that included participation by (3) stimulation of pan-Pacifi c policy actions; and (4) encouragement of sustainable local people, effective laws, strategic traditional use of sea turtles. polices and management-oriented The Bellagio Blueprint for Action on Pacifi c Sea Turtles was published and offi cially research. This multi-pronged approach launched on 16th August 2004. emphasizes the need for research, policy and action in charting new conservation Report from the Bellagio Sea Turtles Steering Group Committee efforts. The central premise of the Workshop was that there is still hope

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for protecting sea turtle populations Petronas Acetyls Malaysia and WWF- Government of Terengganu reaffi rmed the in Malaysia through concerted efforts Malaysia. commitment of the state government and to apply multidisciplinary solutions refl ected the outcomes from the long- and effective management at the local, The Workshop received a wide coverage term collaborative efforts of a number national, regional and global levels. in the press, with reports in the national, of agencies in Malaysia, the Sea Turtle regional and international media. Dr Research Unit of University College of At the Workshop, the State Mahfuzuddin Ahmed, Director of Policy, Science and Technology of Terengganu Government of Terengganu reaffi rmed Economics and Social Sciences at the and the State Government of Terengganu its commitment to take a comprehensive WorldFish Center, was also interviewed towards sea turtles conservation and approach to conserve and manage sea on BBC radio. management. turtles. In the opening speech, the establishment of a 60 ha sanctuary in Following the workshop, the national The proceedings of the workshop are the beach and coastal habitat at the media (News Straits Times, 2 September, being compiled by the organizers to Ma’Daerah rookery was announced. 2004) reported that four more turtle provide the basis and framework for the The rookery attracts nesting green nesting sites in Redang, Terengganu will be development of a detailed national action turtles and is jointly managed by the brought under protection. The workshop plan for the conservation and sustainable Department of Fisheries (DOF), BP event and subsequent actions by the State management of sea turtles in Malaysia.

Speaker of the Philippine Congress is Guest of Honor at Milkfi sh Project Inception Workshop

The Honorable Jose De Venecia Jr., partners and stakeholders and agree Speaker of the House of Representatives on roles, responsibilities, activities and of the Philippines, was the special guest targets; and (b) identify key persons and during the opening ceremony of the institutions to be responsible for project inception workshop for the project implementation. Using the analogy of a entitled Dissemination and Adoption of baby’s christening, Dr. Mahfuzuddin Ahmed Milkfi sh Aquaculture Technology in the of the WorldFish Center said that the Philippines. The workshop was held on workshop was the venue to talk about 12-13 July 2004 at the National Integrated how the project (the baby) was going to Fisheries Technology Development Center be raised by the parents and godparents Honorable Speaker of the House of of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic (project partners and other stakeholders). Representatives, Jose De Venecia Jr., Resources in Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City, receiving a plaque of appreciation from Philippines. Research partners from the The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau the workshop organizers. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, of Agricultural Research will fund the From left: BFAR RFO 1 Director Bureau of Agricultural Research, milkfi sh aquaculture project through the N.D. Domenden; BFAR Director M.I. University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Philippine Government’s contribution Sarmiento; WorldFish Center’s Dr. M. Aquaculture Department of the Southeast to CGIAR funds. The project sites are Ahmed; Honorable Speaker Jose De Asian Fisheries Development Center, Pangasinan and La Union. The three-year Venecia Jr.; NIFTDC Chief Westly R. Rosario; two visitors from Taiwan; DA- Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine long project will analyze the production, BAR’s Ligaya Santos; and BFAR-IFAD Research and Development, as well as market and policy structures of the Chief N.A. Lopez. representatives from local government milkfi sh industry in the Philippines. It will units, the milkfi sh industry and fi shers’ identify the constraints and opportunities organizations attended the workshop. for the future growth of the industry, with production systems and processing. It emphasis on the adoption and impact will also identify techniques that can be The objectives of the workshop were of technological development, using profi tably transferred or replicated in to: (a) discuss the project among case studies of hatchery and grow-out other parts of the Philippines.

62 NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004 announcements

“Give a man a fi sh, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fi sh, and he will eat for a lifetime.”

Modadugu V. Gupta, Assistant Director Asia have turned abandoned ponds, enrolled for a master’s degree at Banaras General, International Relations and roadside ditches, seasonally fl ooded fi elds Hindu University in India in 1958, he Partnerships at the WorldFish Center and and other bodies of water as small as wanted to study fi sheries. As there were Research Coordinator at the International 300–400 m2 into “mini-factories” growing no relevant programs he had to major Network on Genetics in Aquaculture fi sh for food and income, using techniques in zoology instead. He recalls, “The very (INGA) is an outstanding scientist and based on the work of Dr Gupta and his idea of fi sh research – teaching people global leader in the development of colleagues. For example, over 150 000 how to manage wild fi sh catches or farm sustainable strategies for feeding the seasonal ponds in Bangladesh, which fi sh – was not regarded as a science.” world’s poor. were lying fallow before Dr Gupta’s Several years later, as a newly trained intervention, are now blooming with fi sh. scientist, he had a strong sense of what Over the course of four decades of he wanted to accomplish. “I wanted innovative research, Modadugu V. Gupta Keen to duplicate the successes seen to use my research in development, to has brought the promised fruits of this in Asia, a growing number of African change people’s lives,” he says. ancient Chinese proverb to poor people countries (among them Cameroon, in developing countries by showing them Egypt, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia) Subsequent research in Calcutta in India, — not how to capture fi sh — but how to are clamoring to implement similar in Thailand’s poor northeastern region, grow fi sh. techniques for growing fi sh for the poor. in the war-scarred countryside of the Lao PDR and the monsoon-fl ooded Dr Gupta has been tremendously Dr Ayyappan, Deputy Director General fi elds of Bangladesh gave him a fi rst-hand infl uential in regional efforts to bring of the Indian Council of Agricultural look at the considerable obstacles the the science of aquaculture to bear on Research, sees this innovative “pond world’s rural poor faced every day in problems of hunger, malnutrition, poverty aquaculture” as “a major instrument for their quest to provide for themselves and environmental destruction. At a time poverty eradication.” Many governments and their families. These experiences when altered weather patterns, urban and non-governmental organizations strengthened his determination to make development, erosion of natural resources, are incorporating the results of Dr the results of his work as widely useful and over-fi shing are emptying the seas and Gupta’s work into agriculture and as possible. affecting rivers, there is a critical need for development programs. They fi nd the alternative dependable sources of fi sh. This approach especially appealing because it Low Cost, High Impact need is especially acute in many countries can bring the poor and hungry several of Asia and Africa, where poor people benefi ts simultaneously: greater food That goal is refl ected in the already fi nd it diffi cult to obtain a regular security, improved nutrition, economic “aquaculture” practices developed by supply of high-protein food and many are opportunities, higher agricultural Dr Gupta, which are designed to be dependent on fi shing for their livelihood. productivity and environmental adaptable and effective under many protection. different local conditions and to entail As a specialist in fi sheries, Dr Gupta minimal start-up and operational costs. has been highly instrumental in helping Millions are benefi ting already, and the Fish and pond nutrients, for example, several developing countries boost their potential impact is huge. Dr Ayyappan come from native vegetation and organic production of fi sh through aquaculture to says widespread adoption of localized, low farm wastes instead of expensive feed compensate for the precipitous declines cost fi sh farming has been a major force and fertilizers. This means that even seen in fi sh from the wild. As a result of driving the diversifi cation of agriculture in the most impoverished people or those these efforts, freshwater fi sh production Asia today. The approach is popular with who are landless can engage in modest has risen dramatically over the last two farmers, he says, because “it adds value to fi s h - f a r m i n g . decades (by as much as three to fi ve agriculture.” times) in several Asia-Pacifi c countries On a wider scale, hundreds of thousands including India, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Early Vision of poor farmers are learning – thanks Lao PDR and Vietnam. to Dr Gupta’s expertise in fi sh genetics Dr Gupta began his career in his native and aquaculture – how to increase Poor farmers and rural families across India at a time when aquaculture was not agricultural productivity by growing fi sh large tracts of South and Southeast well known in that country. When he alongside crops and livestock.

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In Bangladesh, for example, farmers have been among the most ardent and in India,” Dr Ayyappan remembers, “he in fl ood-prone areas have found they skillful practitioners of his “aquaculture was always the one building teams and can benefi t handsomely by raising large technologies.” groups. He’s successful because he’s an quantities of fi sh in their rice paddies. excellent communicator who believes in Although the water that covers the Women have participated in trials and teamwork and partnerships, in building rice fi elds is too shallow for raising the pilot projects, and their feedback has been complementarities.” popular native carps, Dr Gupta has valuable; many of their ideas have led to shown that short-cycle species, such better and cheaper methods. Surveys Dr Gupta has always regarded grassroots- as tilapia and silver barb, can thrive and show that rural women often make the based NGOs as an important bridge grow well under these conditions. “By best fi sh farmers, achieving signifi cantly between researchers and people in the integrating fi sh cultivation with rice higher levels of fi sh production countryside. His tradition of building these production, you increase profi t and and greater profi ts than men do in connections paid high dividends especially also reduce the risks of rice cultivation comparable operations. during his work in Bangladesh, a Muslim alone,” he notes. country, where a strong NGO network In Bangladesh, and other areas where was critical in reaching rural women. He has demonstrated that while poor women are usually confi ned to the monoculture aquaculture (raising home and have few means of generating Dr Gupta has been a driving force in a single fi sh species) can be very income, backyard fi sh farms are becoming building capacity among scientists and profi table, polyculture often brings even a promising avenue for their personal and development workers in countries where greater rewards. “Raising compatible economic empowerment. Today, about he has worked, and the force behind the species of fi sh with complementary 60 percent of all those engaged in rural International Network on Genetics in feeding habits results in the complete aquaculture activities in Bangladesh are Aquaculture (INGA), for which he was the utilization of pond productivity, thus women. Some are organizing themselves Research Coordinator till August 20041. increasing fi sh production,” he explains. as groups to become local entrepreneurs. Dr Gupta also coordinated the Group of Fisheries and Aquatic Research (GoFAR), The trail-blazing work by Dr Gupta has Dr John Swanson, an agricultural a fi sheries arm of the 19-country Asia- had a huge impact in terms of major extension team leader at the U.S. Agency Pacifi c Association of Agricultural Research increases in fi sh production across the for International Development (USAID), Institutions (APAARI). region over the last two decades, as witnessed Dr Gupta’s infl uence in the following fi gures show: in Vietnam making this happen when they worked The member countries and scientifi c freshwater aquaculture production together in Bangladesh in the mid-1990s. institutions of INGA work to increase increased from 91 000 tonnes in “Sometimes the work he did with women fi sh production through genetic research 1979–81 to 402 000 tonnes in 2001. was so successful that pond owners no and conservation of aquatic biodiversity. And during the 1990s, Bangladesh longer wanted to rent to them because The support he provided to member boosted its production of fi sh through they saw the potential to benefi t from this countries led to the development of aquaculture by 300 percent—a growth activity themselves” Dr Swanson recalls. several improved breeds for aquaculture from 177 000 tonnes in 1989–91 to production, mainly carp and tilapia that 588 000 tonnes in 2001. Freshwater Capacity Building for Progress are attractive to farmers and well suited fi sh production in India increased from to low-intensity fi sh farming. 63 000 tonnes in 1979–81 to more Apart from his many scientifi c than 2 million tonnes in 2002. Today, accomplishments, Dr Gupta has been As Assistant Director General of yields continue to increase, thanks in highly effective in building partnerships, International Relations and Partnerships large part to many of the measures that strengthening institutions, and inspiring at the WorldFish Center till August 2004, were implemented under Dr Gupta’s and guiding the next generation of Dr Gupta worked to create aquaculture guidance. According to Dr Ayyappan, fi sheries researchers. development networks on a global scale. the annual growth rate of aquaculture fi sh production in India is between 6 and Many current and former colleagues say his 8 percent, a level not seen in any other strong professional track record refl ects farming sector.” his skill in promoting collaboration among diverse groups such as national research Although Dr Gupta never designed institutes, international development 1 Since August 2004 Dr A.G. Ponniah has his research specifi cally to address agencies, local NGOs and farmer groups. assumed the position and responsibilities the needs of poor rural women, they “From the very beginning of his work of INGA Research Coordinator.

64 NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004 announcements

Creating a Win-Win Situation for Oceans, Fisheries and The Poor

Sometimes the most well intentioned countries are urbanization, increase in world’s poor. Why? Because developing of actions can have unexpected incomes and population growth. In the countries currently export almost 50 consequences. past three decades, the consumption of percent of their total production to fi sh and animal protein has nearly doubled developed nations, with exports of Few who care about the environment in the developing countries. China high-end shrimps, lobster tails and Nile would argue with the spirit behind experienced a remarkable 455 percent perch seen as lucrative money earners. recent international moves to protect growth rate in per capita consumption The higher demand for fi sh in the world the world’s dwindling fi sh stocks during the period and it is in China and markets and the consequent higher from over-exploitation. Over the past India where the expansion in aquaculture prices of fi sh products result in the three decades, international treaties has been at its most intense. production of high-value fi sh for export and agreements have helped to ease at the cost of domestic consumption. The pressure on marine life and protect While many in the West would see the poor subsistence farmer’s diet usually once plentiful species from extinction. development of fi sh farming as a safer includes low-value food fi sh. This can However, all actions have consequences. environmental alternative to ocean fi shing, have a signifi cant impact on the food As laudable as such initiatives have and as a way of fi lling the gap between the security of people in developing countries. been, they have inadvertently helped to demand and supply of fi sh, the intensive Added to this is the fact that low-value fuel an environmental disaster in many aquaculture practices employed over fi sh products, traditionally available to parts of the developing world, resulting the past three decades have created the poor, are now being diverted for in increased disease, environmental serious and ongoing problems. Research the production of fi sh feed to service degradation and the further alienation of shows that shrimp and salmon farming, the aquaculture plants, while more land the world’s poor. in particular, can have a damaging impact and capital is being be reallocated to on ocean and coastal resources through aquaculture instead of the production of One might have expected a limiting of the destruction of wild fi sh habitats. It can cereals, vegetables, and oil seeds. access to the world’s fi sh reserves to also be detrimental to human health due result in a drop in demand for fi sh stocks. to the increased production of waste and So what can we do to help? For a start, Quite the contrary. Research by the a build-up of pesticides and antibiotics there is a need for governments to be Worldfi sh Center and the International in the food chain. Added to this is the more aware of the fl ow-on consequences Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) risk of microbial contamination and of intensive aquaculture farming and to has shown a dramatic increase in the reduced biodiversity because of increased ensure that those at the bottom of the demand and production of aquaculture competition and genetic interaction socioeconomic scale are not left out. products as natural ocean and river between escaped fi sh and wild stocks. Developing countries need to be careful stocks decrease. This boom in aquaculture in formulating their trade policies and production is the direct result of a Intensive aquaculture can also lead to related issues to seek a balance between widening worldwide gap in the supply and outbreaks of disease that threaten aquatic fi sh for trade and domestic consumption. demand for fi sh. Despite clear evidence organisms and the productivity of water The question many developing countries of smaller ocean and river catches, there resources. High stocking density and face is how to make the best use of has been an unprecedented rise in the poor water and seed quality can often liberalized trade in fi sh products and to production, consumption and trade of lead to disease outbreaks that easily develop effi cient and transparent systems fi sh over the past three decades. Total spread to other ponds and open water for the management of their inland and fi sh production between 1971 and 2001 areas. Research indicates that intensive marine resources. doubled to 130 million tons. While fi sh shrimp farming in Asia, for instance, has production in the developed world has resulted in the destruction of hundreds of There is also a role for developed remained largely stagnant during this hectares of mangrove forest over the last countries in helping to establish such period, the major increase has occurred few decades. systems and in furthering advances in in the developing world, in particular Asia. aquaculture technologies. The application Worse still, the dramatic rise in fi sh of selective breeding technology to The most important factors driving the production in the developing world tilapia by the Worldfi sh Center and to increasing fi sh consumption in developing has not resulted in better food for the salmon in Norway has opened up the

NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004 65 announcements

opportunity for increasing fi sh production International fi shing bans have not caused likely to continue well into the future. through genetic research. The productivity the current problems with aquaculture Poverty reduction, inclusive development increase for genetically improved tilapia is farming. The problem has been caused and environmental protection must 85 percent and for salmon 60 percent. by the closure of one avenue of fi sh continue to become more central to the production without clearly determining dialogue between advocates for the poor Finally, it is time for governments and the scope and nature of its alternative. and for the environment, representatives producers to look at the size of their Aquaculture production can be a of the fi sh industry, political leaders and aquaculture operations. The WorldFish benefi cial tool for meeting the world’s international policy makers. Center research clearly shows that food needs, but in its current form and large-scale intensive farming is actually practice, it is complicit in the further highly economically ineffi cient and impoverishment of both people and environmentally unsafe, while semi- nature. There is time to act, but there intensive practices are often low-cost and must also be the will to act. Without Dr Stephen Hall, Director General environmentally friendly. redress, the trends I have outlined are The WorldFish Center

Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Management in Asia

Fish – a traditional, and highly valuable, as well as cultural reasons, confl icts over They are: ingredient in the diet of hundreds of fi sheries resources continue to increase, • over-fi shing, meaning too many boats millions of Asian people – a critical source often escalating to a national political and fi shermen taking too many fi sh; of protein, calcium and other nutrients. scale. The socioeconomic implications of • inappropriate fi shing techniques, Over the past 30 years developing substandard fi sheries management are including nets with fi ne mesh that countries have increased their fi sh immense. Fisheries provide livelihoods capture juveniles; consumption by as much as 50 percent. to an estimated 22 million people in • post-harvest losses, where the catch Asia alone consumed over half of the the region: fi shing is one of the few spoils or reduces in value due to poor world’s fi sheries products in 2000; as the employment options for the landless poor. handling at sea and during marketing; population of the region continues to Women often play a traditional role in • confl icts between large- and small- increase, so will the demand for fi sh. So, processing and marketing of the catch, scale fi sheries where there are where will all the new fi sh come from? providing a vital source of income to their overlaps in ‘preferred’ fi shing areas Although aquaculture has a key role families. and types of target species; to play, much of the fi sh will still need • habitat degeneration, where the to come from wild capture fi sheries The WorldFish Center and partners in habitats that fi sh rely on are being appropriately managed to meet the eight developing countries in the region degraded; increasing demand but within sustainable (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, • lack of information to develop limits. Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet appropriate policies to maintain the Nam) have been working to address supply of fi sh, and Asia is currently responsible for over 40 the sustainability of the coastal fi sheries • institutional weaknesses and percent of world fi sheries production. The resources that will need to continue to constraints within the governance of fi sheries sector is central to the economy serve as a primary source of food and fi sheries. of many countries, and is therefore key economic stability for millions of people. to trade and political stability. Forty These issues have a direct impact on the percent of global fi sh production is A number of issues are consistently biological resources, on the supply and traded internationally at a value of over identifi ed as being the key factors price of fi sh to consumers, the income US$55 billion; of this, US$18 billion goes preventing these countries from enjoying of fi shers, and the welfare of coastal to developing countries. For economic sustainable production from fi sheries. communities.

66 NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004 announcements

The WorldFish Center and its partners have been helping to address the issue of “information”, or the lack of it, through the Sustainable Management of Coastal Fish Stocks in Asia project (1998–2001) funded by the Asian Development Bank, the partner countries and the WorldFish Center. Several important achievements have been realized. The fi rst, perhaps appropriately, was the development of a new regional database known as FiRST – Fisheries Resource Information System and Tools – and the input of historical trawl research survey data.

Trawl surveys have long been considered the most straightforward way of determining the abundance of the fi sh and shrimp species that live in/on or near the seabed. Valuable information on stocks, their population structure, fi shing grounds and optimal gear can be collected. Surveys have been carried out by countries in the region for nearly 80 years but the data has been seriously under-used due to its inaccessibility – held by multiple agencies in several countries and not in an electronic format.

Though national data is held in each country, WorldFish is now the custodian of a regional database that currently holds species abundance data from over 21 000 locations in the coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia collected from the 1920s onwards. For the fi rst time it is possible to look at data trends at a macro level, on a regional or ecosystem level rather than purely from the standpoint of national coastal resources. This is important as fi sh stocks straddle national boundaries and they may require designed not only to store trawl survey of substantive degradation and over- different habitats at various stages of data but also to assist in its analysis. One fi shing of coastal fi sh stocks in formerly their life history, a point that emphasizes key tool can estimate biomass (species productive fi shing grounds managed by the need for cooperative international abundance) over areas and through time the participating countries. Catch rates in management. and, as data are georeferenced, prepare some fi shing areas (and hence resource maps for illustration. This information biomass) have declined to values between The FiRST software addresses the need assists national and regional decision- 5 and 30 percent of their levels prior to for fl exible usage based on different makers to assess the status of fi sheries the expansion of fi sheries. In the future languages and species identifi cation. and to address concerns such as over- FiRST will be an important resource The system stores scientifi c names fi shing and environmental impacts. during efforts to restore capture fi sheries, and country-specifi c species codes and providing baseline information and detects synonyms through a module In fact, data analysis using FiRST has historical data against which to test the linked to FishBase. The FiRST software is already produced dramatic illustrations outcomes of new strategies.

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But the Sustainable Management of abandon destructive fishing gear like data and then apply the conclusions to Coastal Fish Stocks in Asia was much estuarine set bag nets, push nets and policy analysis and planning has been more than a database project. It involved current jall that kill small fish. a major success for the project. It has strengthening the capacity of selected Central and northern Java, B.E. Priyono: led to reviews of existing programs at national institutions to analyze, assess It is recommended that in large scale both national and regional levels that and manage their coastal fi sheries, fisheries the volume of fuel/day should have identifi ed new challenges and prepare management plans and examine be increased, while the total number opportunities. Identifi cation of trends in their implications. These plans lie at the of boats should be reduced. … [This] coastal fi sheries management has led to interface between the science (abundance would increase offshore operations, specifi c plans for rehabilitating resources of natural resources as estimated using which would lessen the fishing and reinforcing sustainable fi sheries FiRST) and the socioeconomic effects pressure in near-shore waters. practices. of policy and institutional changes, each Thailand, P. Boonchuwongse and W. Dechboon: affecting the other along a series of The 1999 Census of Marine Fishery Towards the end of the project, an interconnected pathways, some not showed that the total number of “International Workshop on Management always clearly understood. fishery households, including fisheries of Tropical Coastal Fisheries in Asia” was employees’ households in the country organized (20-23 March 2001) in Penang, Socioeconomic and bioeconomic was 109 635.… The average per Malaysia. The proceedings from this analyses of coastal fi sheries in region capita fish consumption is 24 kg workshop have been prepared and are have provided a brand new source of annually…. Results [from the Schaefer available in a “CD + abstracts” publication. valuable information for decision-makers. Model] indicate that the present Some selected quotes from the abstracts catch and the corresponding effort of papers (Silvestre et al. 2003) say, for of demersal fishing in the Gulf of example: Thailand surpassed both maximum economic yield (MEY) and maximum Bangladesh, S.M. Khan and M.S. Haque: sustainable yield (MSY). In order to The current catch of 2 444 t at obtain the maximum net benefit in an effort of 7 491 SFD indicates the long run, the present fishing effort over-fishing. Precautionary measures … must be reduced to about 50% of should be adopted by the government present levels. Prepared from WorldFish Center documents with to prevent over-exploitation… The particular reference to Silvestre, G. et al. 2003. present number of large trawlers and The improvement in national capacities Assessment, Management and Directions for boat owners should not be allowed within the eight participating countries to Coastal Fisheries in Asian Countries. WorldFish to increase. Artisanal fishers should assess and analyze national and regional Center Conference Proceedings 67. 1110 p.

68 NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004 New Publications announcements

Economic Valuation and Policy instruments and management techniques Priorities for Sustainable for coral reefs and marine resources. The Management of Coral Reefs fi nal section of this publication consists of Edited by Mahfuzuddin Ahmed, Chiew the recommendations for future research Kieok Chong and Herman Cesar made by the workshop participants.

This publication is an outcome of the The workshop was the fi nal activity International Consultative workshop for of the Valuation and Policy Analysis for Economic Valuation and Policy Priorities Sustainable Management of Coral Reefs for Sustainable Management of Coral project. The Center’s donors and the Reefs held at the WorldFish Center’s Swedish International Development Headquarters in Penang, Malaysia over the Cooperation Agency (Sida), with additional ISBN 983-2346-29-0 period 8-10 December 2001. support form the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), sponsored The overall goal of the workshop was to the workshop. It also received support identify future directions for economic for selected participants from Southeast and policy research relevant to the Asia from the Economy and Environment sustainable management of coral reefs. Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) and This publication contains the workshop’s the Australian Center for International overview of current issues and problems Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Forty- relating to coral reef management. eight participants from 15 countries of It also includes keynote papers, case Southeast and East Asia, the Caribbean, studies of the economic valuation and East Africa and the South Pacifi c Regional socioeconomics of coral reefs, and policy Seas contributed to the workshop.

A Photographic Guide About the author: Mark Sheppard B.Sc., to Diseases of Yellowtail D.V.M. received his Doctorate of Veteri- (Seriola) Fish nary Medicine from the Western College Dr. Mark Sheppard of Veterinary Medicine in Canada. His professional career has included roles as This 65-page guidebook, with 30 pages the veterinary service manager of an inter- of high resolution photographs, covers national salmon production company, and 29 disease-related topics typically a multi-national aquaculture feed company. observed in the yellowtail, kingfi sh, He now provides fi sh health management and amberjack (Seriola). The topics services as an international veterinary range from farm-hygiene to bacterial, consultant. Dr. Sheppard’s unique interests viral, parasitic and complex disease and years of fi eld experience as an active ISBN 0-920225-14-4 syndromes. Each topic includes one veterinary practitioner in fi nfi sh aquacul- page of easy-to-read information, ture have nurtured the development of his descriptions and diagnostics. The book is expertise of both cold-water salmonids designed as a basic, hands-on, “what am and warm-water aquaculture fi shes. He has I looking at now?” diagnostic fi eld guide provided veterinary fi sh health manage- for farm staff, laboratory technicians ment, pathology and pharmaceutical ex- and students. For more details visit pertise to fi sh culturists in Canada, United http://oberon.ark.com/~sys or email States, Ireland, Chile, Japan, Philippines, [email protected] South China, New Zealand and Australia.

NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004 69 announcements

What can be done to restore around the world and reviewed a broad Pacifi c turtle populations? The suite of promising policy and management Bellagio Blueprint for Action on actions in the Pacifi c. They concluded that Pacifi c Sea Turtles it was possible to save the threatened The Steering Committee, Bellagio and endangered species. The actions Conference on Sea Turtles recommended in the Blueprint are: protecting all nesting beaches; reducing The Bellagio Blueprint for Action on turtle-take at sea and in coastal fi sheries; Pacifi c Sea Turtles is an outcome of the stimulating pan-Pacifi c policy actions; Bellagio Conference on the Conservation and encouraging the sustainability of the and Sustainable Management of Sea traditional use of sea turtles. In addition Turtles organized jointly by the WorldFish to this description of the Blueprint, ISBN 983-2346-30-4 Center and U.S. NOAA-Fisheries. the experts are developing a full policy During 17-21 November 2003, a multi- brief and other literature for wide disciplinary group of 25 experts met in dissemination. Bellagio, Italy to draft an Action Plan on Pacifi c Sea Turtles. The group recognized The individuals on the Steering the seriously endangered state of sea Committee for the Conference turtle populations in the Pacifi c and the coordinated this publication. The Blueprint escalating nature of human threats to the described in this publication is a collective turtles. They examined cases of successful output of the experts who participated in sea turtle conservation programs from the Bellagio Conference on Sea Turtles.

Use of Genetically Improved and with conservation of biodiversity when Alien Species for Aquaculture the introduced strains/species escape into and Conservation of Aquatic natural waters. This is especially important Biodiversity in Africa in Africa, which is one of the world’s Edited by Modadugu V. Gupta, Devin M. largest repositories of diverse freshwater Bartley and Belen O. Acosta fi sh fauna and home to native tilapias. This publication is a useful tool in building Aquaculture species are being awareness among African institutions, domesticated and improved through agencies and planners of the issues genetic enhancement. Despite the benefi ts involved in improving production through of improved fi sh in terms of increased introductions of improved strains/alien production, there are risks associated species while sustaining natural biodiversity. ISBN 983-2346-27-4

70 NAGA, WorldFish Center Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2004