James F. Muir

Food Security: The Challenge of Feeding 9 Billion People

Continuing population and consumption growth will mean that the global demand for food will increase for at least another 40 years. Growing competition for land, water, and energy, in addition to the overexploitation of fisheries, will affect our ability to produce food, as will the urgent requirement to reduce the impact of the food system on the environment. The effects of climate change are a further threat. But the world can produce more food and can ensure that it is used more efficiently and equitably. A multifaceted and linked global strategy is needed to ensure sustainable and equitable food security, different components of which are explored here.

The European consumers’ understanding and perceptions of the “organic” food regime: The case of aquaculture

This paper explores consumer understanding and perception of organic food, with specific reference to the relatively new concept of organic farmed salmon. Key themes associated with the term “organic” and its meaning, as determined by consumers, are explored and the role of labelling and regulatory authorities considered. Focus groups in five countries (UK, Germany, Spain, Norway and France) consisting of 196 participants showed that most consumers are confused about the meaning of the term organic and are largely unaware of the organic certification and labelling process. Many consumers were unsure, even sceptical about the concept of organic farmed salmon and display a large amount of distrust in the regulatory process. The implications for the concept of organic food and salmon production and directions for further research are discussed.

Fishermen perception on resources management and aquaculture development in the Mecoacan estuary, Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract The southern Mexican states on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico produce approximately 85% of the total national oil production. The region has also attracted attention due its important economic influence in terms of fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture, and for its ecosystem diversity. The justification for more integrated approaches to aquaculture development is significant, as coastal aquaculture has brought economic and employment benefits to both national economies and coastal people. The aim of this study is the analysis of Mecoacan fishing communities’ perception on coastal resources management and to assess group awareness of the potential benefits and impacts of coastal aquaculture. Although aquaculture practices have been implemented as an alternative to fishing and to improve current levels of fisheries production, the results showed that conditions within Mecoacan fisheries have deteriorated significantly, as collective aggregation is not producing a positive outcome for the local communities. However, fishermen regarded the restructuring of fishing organisations as a means of integrating employment and income generation alternatives such as aquaculture practices. Therefore, a key to success will be to demonstrate the ability of good coastal management to promote capacity building within coastal communities in the context of a participatory intervention strategy through formal and informal organisations.

FRESHWATER PRAWN FARMING IN GHER SYSTEMS IN SOUTHWEST BANGLADESH

The livelihoods of a large number of farmers are associated with freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming in gher (modified rice fields with high, broad peripheral dikes) systems in southwest Bangladesh. Most farmers integrated prawn with fish and rice in their gher and followed extensive methods using low inputs. Although farmers have improved their social and economic conditions through prawn farming, constraints include high production costs, low supply of wild fry and snail meat as prawn feed, lack of technical knowledge of farmers, and negative environmental impacts.

The sustainable livelihoods approach to the development of freshwater prawn marketing systems in Southwest Bangladesh.

A conceptual framework, drawn from an approach to poverty reduction known as the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), is applied to understanding the role of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) marketing systems in southwest Bangladesh. Freshwater prawn marketing potentially provides economic returns and social benefits to the rural poor. Although the potential benefits are great, a number of constraints were identified for the long-term sustainability of prawn marketing systems. The study used the SLA framework as an analytical tool to identify ways to strengthen livelihoods of prawn traders and associated groups.

Tilapia: Both Fish and Fowl?

Tilapia aquaculture production is now around one million tonnes and is widely tipped to become an even bigger player in the international arena. This paper considers the case for such claims by reviewing the production environment, costs, the key characteristics of the product and its marketing with particular reference to the emergent EU markets and the increasingly established North American market. It is concluded that tilapia has quite distinct comparative advantages, not least being its diverse production scenarios, low cost, and product attributes which are commonly sought by consumers. Coupled with potentially green marketing attributes, it is concluded that this species is likely to appear in a broadening product range including more added value products.

From production to consumption: a case study of tilapia marketing systems in Bangladesh

In spite of the long history of tilapia, introduced to Bangladesh in 1954, its culture has yet to become well established because of socioeconomic, technological, institutional, and marketing constraints. Nevertheless, a considerable number of farmers are involved in tilapia farming in the Mymensingh area of north-central Bangladesh. Almost all the tilapias produced are marketed internally for domestic consumption. The marketing chain from farmers to consumers encompasses primary, wholesale, and retail markets. Although the tilapia marketing system is traditional, it plays a vital role in connecting producers with consumers and thus contributes significantly in the value-adding process. Evidence from this study suggests that tilapia marketing could play a greater role in increasing food supply. However, sustainable development of tilapia marketing is essential, if tilapia is to become a more important component of food supplies in the country.

Livelihood options for the coastal zone of Tabasco, Mexico

The aim of the present study is to measure the driving forces that take place at the Mecoacan estuary, Tabasco. Although aquaculture practices have been implemented as an alternative to fishing, and to improve the current levels of fisheries’ productions, the results showed that conditions within Mecoacan fisheries have deteriorated significantly. The reduction of access to resources and formal regulation through fishing cooperatives were demonstrated to have a significant effect on the integration of aquaculture into the livelihood portfolio of local communities. Considering the trends for international economic integration, it is impossible to conceive a sustainable livelihoods strategy that is isolated from the global context. Results suggest that actual aquaculture establishment appears to fall within current cultural norms, and it may play an important role in the development of the Mecoacan estuary. Therefore, a major challenge is to create new policies that reduce the changes in social parameters that disperse benefits distribution, through the incorporation of socioeconomic and resource management aspects in the coastal zone of Tabasco.

Summary and Overview

The preceding chapters have ranged widely over the various sectors and relationships in the salmon business. This final chapter summarises findings and discusses Key parameters which will determine the pace and nature of the developments of the industry over the coming decade.

The Management of the Wild Resource

The focus now moves to the factors affecting the availability of wild salmon. This chapter discusses the management of fishing effort while Chapter 4 is concerned with salmon ranching and the artificial enhancement of salmon stocks. As the previous chapter has already suggested, there are substantial differences between fisheries. Japan has been steadily increasing salmon landings, a trend associated with successful private stock enhancement programmes. In the North American fisheries, experiences vary by area, species and stock. In general landings have risen but distribution has changed. Thus increasing quantities of salmon are taken in Alaskan waters partly at the expense of landings elsewhere in North America, partly because of the protection provided by 200-mile zones and partly because of changing environmental conditions. In the Atlantic, catches are currently considerably below earlier levels. However in spite of this diversity of experience, the same management issues affect all salmon fisheries and are inherent in the management of salmon as a renewable natural resource.