Eighth Technical Advisory Committee meeting

1-3 October 2005, Ramsar, Iran

Draft Summary Report (7 November) (draft 10 Oct)

1. Introduction

The Meeting was officially opened on 27 September in a joint ceremony with the FAO Expert Workshop on Regional Aquaculture Review: Asia and TAC-8. Forty-nine people participated including 31 from 16 governments and 18 from organizations including FAO, NACA, SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture in India and Freshwater Fisheries Research Centre in China. The list of participants appears as Annex 1.

2. Procedural matters

Mr Ebrahim Maygoli, Deputy of International Affairs, Iranian Fisheries Organization, was elected Chair of the meeting. Mr Maygoli welcomed the participants to the Islamic Republic of Iran. He emphasized the role of aquaculture in improving incomes and assuring food security for people, particularly in rural areas. As the premier region in aquaculture production, he believed Asia would sustain and increase its role in aquaculture production in the future. He said the Islamic Republic of Iran was privileged to host the TAC meeting, and wished a productive meeting.

The provisional agenda was adopted.

3. Overview of TAC 8

The Director General of NACA explained the purpose of TAC 8, the workshop arrangements and the expectations of the meeting; and that the outcomes of TAC 8 would provide the technical basis for the development of the 4th Five-Year Work Programme (2006-2010). The meeting was expected to:

  • Assess the status of deliverables in the work plans 2001-2003 and 2003-2005.
  • Identify new deliverables.
  • Propose revisions to the work program components.
  • Describe implementation mechanisms.

Inputs to the meeting included the draft Report of the FAO Expert Workshop on Regional Aquaculture Review: Asia, the Report of the South Pacific Community with emphasis on new and emerging issues, country reports on new, emerging and persistent issues and trends, the NACA/FAO publications “Emerging trends and experiences in aquaculture in Asia-Pacific 2003”, the Bangkok Declaration and Strategy for Aquaculture Development Beyond 2000, and the logical frameworks of NACA and those of the work program components that were developed by TAC 7.

4. Report of the DG: “Looking back – looking ahead”

The Director General presented a summary report of NACA’s activities over the past five years, in a report titled, “Looking Back: Emphasis on Aquaculture for Rural Development. Looking Ahead: Focus on the Farmer”. The report described the achievements of the work program particularly as they have impacted on farmers. It elaborated on a suggested theme of the new work program, which was to focus the program on farmers, especially organized farmers, so that they “stay in business and are justifiably rewarded” for doing so. The report is attached as Annex 3. Participants were invited to make comment on the report.

Discussion

Australia suggested that usage statistics for the NACA website should be disaggregated by country of origin to show the proportion of visitors from member countries; and that visitors from non-member countries be charged a fee for access. The Secretariat appreciated the suggestion but advised of the many constraints to identifying the location of visitors, and on charging for access.

I.R. Iran asked what activities had been initiated on broodstock management. The Secretariat advised that activities had commenced in June 2004 when a geneticist was hired. An MOU had been signed with Kasetsart University that would allow NACA members to make use of its genetics laboratory for training. A workshop on application of molecular genetics in aquaculture and inland fisheries management would be held in December 2005. Discussions were underway with FAO regarding the development of a regular training program on broodstock management. A model for broodstock management was in development as part of a project on aquaculture of indigenous species.

India requested introduction of a networking system to improve in-country implementation of health and quarantine procedures. The Secretariat advised that a strong regional aquatic animal health program was in place, established in collaboration with FAO. Regional guidelines on the responsible movement of live aquatic animals had been agreed at a workshop of 21 countries in the region. The focus of the program was now on implementation of the guidelines within countries.

There was a general agreement on using the proposed theme to underpin the next work program.

5. Overviews: New and emerging issues

The Chair requested participants to present a summary of the new, emerging and persistent issues, as well as recent trends in aquaculture in their countries.

Australia

  • Production systems. Emphasis is on use of recirculation systems but recent studies show that these must produce at least 100 tons per year to be economically viable under Australian conditions. This is likely to increase as energy costs rise.
  • Environment. More stringent regulations are being enforced with very strict requirements in terms of water quality.
  • Impact of alien species on biodiversity.
  • Emphasis on indigenous species aquaculture.
  • Maintenance of final product quality, particularly with regards to nutritional qualities and human health requirements, eg. content of beneficial fatty acids.
  • Feed quality. There is emphasis on reduction of fishmeal in grow-out diets to reduce cost. ‘Washout’ diets with a higher fishmeal content are used for final conditioning of stock prior to harvest.
  • A moratorium has been introduced on the addition of sea cages for farming of southern bluefin tuna. No more cages will be allowed, despite the high value of the industry.
  • Inland saline aquaculture.
  • Use of aquaculture for nutrient stripping in other terrestrial animal husbandry industries.

Bangladesh

  • Development of appropriate technologies for both commercial and rural aquaculture.
  • Broodstock management and breeding technology for quality seed production. There is a need to address issues such as health, inbreeding depression and hybrid introgression.
  • Genetic improvement of commercially important aquaculture species.
  • Control of infectious diseases, notably white spot disease.
  • Fish biodiversity. 58 species are included in the IUCN Red List as threatened or extinct. Major problems include habitat destruction, pollution and eutrophication, industrial and agricultural chemical usage and over fishing.
  • Alien species. Escapes from aquaculture facilities and introductions can create problems for native fish stocks. There is evidence of hybridization of African catfish with local species.
  • Feed. High cost, low availability and low quality, abetted by improper storage and handling
  • Social issues. Women are not adequately represented in aquaculture.
  • Economic issues: Access to natural and financial capital are constraints for poor and small-scale farmers. There is a need to diversify species under culture.
  • Food quality and safety: Poor adherence to international quality standards is a problem, exacerbated by poor handling and storage facilities. Laboratory facilities and trained people to test for chemical residues need to be strengthened.

Cambodia

  • Contribution of aquaculture to GDP is increasing.
  • Dissemination of aquaculture technology and access to capital are constraints for small-scale producers.
  • Seed supply. The main culture species are largely grown from wild-caught seed, which is becoming increasingly scarce. There is an uneven distribution of hatcheries in the country, leading to shortages of cultured seed for some species.
  • Extension. Poor training of extension officers and methodologies has lead to poor dissemination of aquaculture technology.
  • Feed. Farmers cannot afford to use high-cost artificial diets.
  • Disease. White spot and yellowhead disease has forced some farms to stop operation. Mortalities are mainly in the summer months.
  • Unauthorised drugs and chemicals are still in use.
  • Capital and finance. Access for cage construction and seed purchase is a constraint.

China

  • Disease. Losses exceed 10 billion yuan per year. National and regional disease laboratory infrastructure needs to be improved including PCR facilities to aid diagnosis.
  • Genetic deterioration. Poor broodstock management has led to inbreeding depression and hybrid introgression. Better broodstock management and improved nursery techniques are necessary in both the public and private sector. Genetic improvement and conservation of genetic biodiversity are also important.
  • Biodiversity. Over 60 species are either extinct or under threat of extinction. Leading problems are habitat destruction, indiscriminate use of chemicals and pesticides, water pollution, over-fishing and alien species.
  • Alien species: More than 100 exotic species have been introduced for aquaculture production. Lack of coherent policies, awareness and manpower has resulted in establishment of invasive species in some environments.
  • Extension. There is a lack of effective extension services in remote areas, particularly in western parts of China. There is a need to improve human resources and training facilities and to improve linkages between research institutes, extension stations and farmers.
  • International trade. Major issues are weakness in maintenance of international quality standards, a lack of species diversity and product diversification, lack of awareness and technological know-how, and lack of access to market information.
  • Domestic market. Major issues are poor handling and storage facilities, unstable fish supply and prices due to poor knowledge of market demands, a lack of well-organized production management resulting in disorderly competition among farmers.
  • Environment: Loss of biodiversity through careless broodfish collection, introduction of alien species or genetically modified organisms may result in habitat destruction.

Hong Kong, China

Government policy places emphasis on sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. There are four main issues:

  • Good management of marine finfish aquaculture activity. The government has established designated fish cultured zones and requires all producers to be licensed.
  • Protection of the aquaculture environment. Monitoring of water quality in fish culture zones is conducted to protect the industry from red tides and to minimize the impact of water quality deterioration. A warning system is in place to advise farmers when red tides occur.
  • Promotion of Good Aquaculture Practice. The government promotes good aquaculture practices and similar measures to help producers minimize production losses due to disease. A voluntary accreditation scheme has been formulated to assist farmers implement GAPs.
  • Identification of new culture species. Species with good culture / market potential are identified to give farmers more choice. Farmer associations are consulted before new species are introduced for trials.

India

  • Seed supply. There is a shortage of fish fingerlings. Lack of availability of some species impacts on polyculture.
  • Broodstock management. Inbreeding has lead to serious seed quality problems. Extension of broodstock management programs is required. A draft seed certification scheme has been prepared, but not yet progressed to implementation.
  • Aquatic animal health and quarantine are serious issues with serious losses occurring to disease. There is a need for contingency planning for responding to disease issues, and improvements to diagnostic infrastructure.
  • Feed: Species-specific commercial feeds are required, including larval feeds. Good quality artificial feeds are not available to many farmers, who rely on basic fertilization techniques to enhance pond productivity.
  • Resource access conflicts with agriculture (eg. water, land).
  • Water. Use of groundwater is leading to a fall in the water table and increasing salinisation in some areas, which may affect the agricultural sector. Disposal of wastewater is a serious environmental issue, particularly in shrimp farming.
  • Natural disasters. Floods, droughts and the tsunami continue to impact the aquaculture industry. There is a need to look at mechanisms to plan for and mitigate the impact on producers.
  • Land use planning. GIS are available for large-scale farms but information on small-scale farms would also greatly assist in planning.
  • Extension. Technical backup and training is poor and unavailable in many areas.
  • Insurance is not readily available to aquaculturists.
  • Processing and handling infrastructure is generally inadequate, affecting product quality.
  • Indigenous species are not receiving enough attention as potential candidates for aquaculture at present.
  • Unauthorised exploitation of rare indigenous species for the ornamental fish industry is becoming a problem. There is a need to move to culture-based supply.

Indonesia

  • Environment. The shrimp farming industry is causing serious damage to mangroves in the Mahakam Delta, Kalimantan Province. Government policy is to promote shrimp farming in marginal or supra-tidal land.
  • Disease. Viral diseases (WSSV, Taura syndrome) are the major threat to the long-term viability of the shrimp farming industry in Indonesia causing serious losses. Disease concerns have lead to 50% of farmers shifting to culture of P. vannemei. Koi herpes virus has caused serious losses in common carp and koi production. VNN has caused severe losses in marine finfish (grouper) culture in some areas of Sumatra (Lampung and Riau).
  • Trade. Increasingly stringent restrictions on safety are being imposed by international markets, particularly with regards to drugs and chemicals and country of origin labeling. Shipments of milkfish have been rejected by the EU due to malachite green residue, shrimp have been rejected by the US due to contamination with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and the US has accused Indonesia of transhimpment of shrimp from countries subject to anti-dumping tariffs.
  • Alien species. Quarantine procedures and strict controls on importation are required to guard against invasive species and accidental introduction of serious pathogens.

Islamic Republic of Iran

  • Due to requirements of the EU, shore-side processing and handling facilities for fisheries products have been improved.
  • Policy. The government is promoting export of fisheries products with a view to increasing farmer income. Other goals are to improve aquaculture productivity, particularly for warm water fish farmers who are currently facing economic difficulties at current production levels, expansion of applied research and to increase per capita fish consumption of the general population.
  • Diversification. High value species such as sturgeon (meat, caviar) are under research for commercial production in culture. The introduction of new exotic species is being considered.
  • Disease. Substantial losses are being incurred, notably by the recent occurrence of white spot disease, which has created serious problems for the shrimp industry in two provinces. There is a need to prevent the spread of the virus to other production areas, if possible. Risk reduction measures such as SPF and SPR broodstock, better management practices in both shrimp hatchery and grow-out are required.
  • Mariculture. This is a new industry to Iran and assistance is required from NACA members to develop the industry. There are many areas suitable for culture.

Malaysia

  • Use of reservoirs for aquaculture production.
  • Development of cost-effective near-shore mariculture.
  • Aquatic animal health and certification issues.
  • The government has recognized its responsibility and role in the development of a marine broodstock center for marine finfish.
  • Genetic improvement of commercially important species, including red tilapia and Macrobrachium rosenbergii.
  • Improvement of productivity in cages and ponds.
  • Inland cage culture of tilapia – environmental issues will become important such as carrying capacity.
  • A Code of Practice has been developed as basis for certification schemes for cage-farmed tilapia and pond-reared shrimp.
  • The effect of escapes and alien species on biodiversity is a concern.
  • Shrimp: Trade issues are major concern.
  • The government is looking into development of SPF and SPR P. monodon as an alternative to prevent the industry moving into P. vannamei.
  • Increasing cost of feed is issue.
  • Access to credit is not an issue, but land may be.

Myanmar

  • Government policy is to develop a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable industry. Development of sustainable aquaculture development is a high priority in short and long term development plans.
  • Income generation for local people is a priority.
  • Emphasis is on production of low-cost freshwater fish for domestic market and high-priced products such as shrimp for export markets.

Nepal

Current fisheries development policy objectives include:

  • Intensification of aquaculture for increased productivity by adopting commercialized and diversified operations
  • Conservation of economically important indigenous fish species
  • Enhancement of marketing of fresh fish by using appropriate post-harvest techniques and developing a competitive and organized marketing network.

Major programmes of fisheries sub sector have focused on:

  • Creating livelihood opportunities for targeted rural populations in order to aid poverty alleviation.
  • Gender issues and increased community involvement.
  • Effective resources inventory and data-base.
  • Delivery of effective and technical support services.
  • Ensuring supply of fresh fish in the market.

New as well as persistent issues include:

  • Policy decisions and legislation concerning resource allocation and utilization, including priority setting, land development / ownership, investor rights and community involvement, effective inventories and databases.
  • Technology interventions on production and productivity issues. Setting priorities, development of appropriate technology and its dissemination.
  • Water supply systems and management. Policy decisions and regulations concerning access to public irrigation systems, tariffs and exemptions.
  • Fish seed supply and management. Policy decisions and legislation concerning fish seed production and supply, technical support, registration of hatcheries and traders, decentralized networking, quality control, demonstration packages for hatchery and nursery management, supply of seed for livelihoods purposes.
  • Other production input supply and management. Certification of seed quality, accessibility of feed, fertilizers, chemicals and exemptions/subsidies on necessary aquaculture equipment.
  • Extension support services and delivery systems. Effective delivery of extension packages, community involvement in conservation and management of fishery resources, encourage participation of deprived and marginalized communities in the management of marginal resources, effective fish health management and quarantine procedures.
  • Training services.
  • Microcredit services.
  • Marketing services and systems. Accessibility and infrastructure, networking and information systems, involvement of cooperatives and food safety considerations.
  • Environmental legislation. Environmental impact assessment and mitigation measures for stock enhancement, conservation and control of illegal operations.
  • Institutional framework and mechanism. Effective delivery, monitoring and supervision, coordination amongst stakeholders and institutions.

Pakistan