Case Studies in FisheriesMRC Meeting 2010

Simon J. Funge-Smith FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

The role of fisheries in diets

• Fish are a major global dietary source – Protein, fat, and micronutrients– Particularly the poorest of global populations

• We often think of fish from the sea as an important source of fish for the global seafood trade,

– Do not ignore the massive contribution of inland fisheries.

• Inland fisheries in rivers, lakes, and wetlands important sources of fish protein

– almost the entire catch gets consumed directly by people

– practically no by-catch or “trash” fish in inland fisheries – Fishery resources of the Tonle Sap provide ~60% to the

population of Cambodia

• Mekong River Basin– Fish consumption ranges between 24-34

kg/person/year – significant contributor to dietary quality in rural

areas

Contribution of fish & other aquatic animals

• Last 50 years, amount and type of fat in human diets has changed dramatically.

• Food policies lie behind much of this

• Also, changing dietary habits, urbanization and environmental degradation

– next 20 years in Asia addressing non-communicable diseases (e.g. diet related)

– more important than communicable diseases

• As much as 60% of the human brain is made up of lipids– particularly need for the Omega 3 fatty acids.

– abundant in seafood

– difficult to get from the high protein/carbohydrate diets available to land based animals.

• Human diets that are rich in fish and other aquatic animal products guarantee good access to these vital lipids

– Particularly important for pregnant and lactating mothers, and young children

Inland fisheries - a hidden jewel

• Biodiversity and production from rice fields is unbelievably high and often overlooked

– fish and other aquatic animals

• The dispersed nature of inland fisheries often means that this valuable contribution to diets goes unremarked or undervalued.

• This is particularly important in– developing countries

• high levels of chronic malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies (in particular of Vitamin A, iron)

– areas where no access to fisheries products, or costs are prohibitive for the diets of the poor

– Cambodia – fish, aquatic animals supplied• 46% protein (46%), vitamin A (10%), 31% iron (31%), calcium

(135%)• ... big fish most protein• small fish majority of vitamin A, iron and calcium

Diets are changing

• In traditional societies– nutrient intake may have been adequate based on

seasonal diverse diets and cuisine– based around caught fish, other aquatic animals and

foraged crops

• Modernizing agriculture policies to increase food production (particularly cereals/commodities)

– loss of dietary diversity, and negative dietary change– may not necessarily be nutritional beneficial. – e.g. focus on cash crop/commodity production/export

• Decreased access to and availability of wild aquatic resources

– not buffered by domestic production or market foods (for positive dietary change)

– rural poor often lack formal education and nutrition education for making right alternative food choices.

• Urban societies may benefit from diet supplements

– but these do not reach rural poor (price/access)

We are what we eat

• Our diets can have a strong influence on our general well being – and the extent to which we reach our full potential.

• Let us look at some of the issue which influence the way that we can access fish and aquatic animals

– And how this may have knock on effects to diets and health

Environmental degradation and changing water regime in inland fisheries

• The principal factors threatening inland capture fisheries

– loss of fish habitat

– environmental degradation.

• Most of the world’s freshwater systems modified to some degree.

– rivers trained, dams, reservoirs,

– wetlands continue to be drained

• Recent fuel crisis has reawakened demand for hydropower

– impact on households dependent upon river and floodplain fisheries

– increased understanding of the value of these fisheries

– fisheries contribution to economies

Positive policy - moving to self-governance

• “Tragedy of the commons”– destruction and degradation of a natural resource base under

open access is more or less assured – unregulated rush for the resource and competition between

users.

• Assumes that commons cannot be managed – limited number of resources exploiters who are well managed

is a preferable situation.

• Can lead to policies that are equally tragic– the capture of the resource for the benefit of the few and

exclusion of those previously dependent

• The solution lies somewhere in-between– equitable access assured so that the many can benefit from

the natural resource base, – within a framework that allows for limitation of entry and

effort and the sustained use of the resource.

• Thus access is limited, but equity of access by a larger number of resources users is assured

– preventing exclusive capture by the influential or wealthy

Threat of weak governance/policy on fisheries

• Local, self-governance structures are vulnerable to outside forces.

– illegal fishing of larger scale operations

– Conflicts between fishing groups

• Role of the state – Arbitrator and the setting of ground rules

– Policy level recognition of self-governance

– Protect local management from illegal activities

– Often a neglected duty

• In the inland sector the forces tend to come from outside of the fishery

– Land and water use transformations

– Radically changes the quality of a fishery

– Need to balance assumptions ....

– .. Are “water development and agricultural transformation is unquestionably for the benefit of all” ?

Summary

• Aquatic resources make a fundamental contribution to food and nutrition security and health

– many developing countries– provide dietary quality to diets

• Aquatic resources tend to be managed as common property,

– particular importance for poorer people with less access to land and intensive systems

• Be aware of potential adverse impacts on nutrition and associated costs

– agricultural intensification, development of marine fisheries, aquaculture development, hydropower, mining, irrigation/water development, agro-based industries

– what is impact of on wild aquatic resources?

• It is difficult to demonstrate direct health and dietary benefits from the self governance activity,

– local level - opens ways to communicate with fisheries groups and engage on health related issues.

– nationally - improved governance of fisheries ensures sustained contribution of benefits of fish in the diet

Some take home thoughts

• We should not automatically assume that more food means better food.

– it is our responsibility to look deeper into what makes balanced rural diets

• The role and value of fish and aquatic resources are often hidden amongst other dietary and health factors,

– modernization influences on food preferences and dietary habits.

• Considerable opportunity to improve rural livelihoods, family nutrition and health

– explore the potential for improving food security and health through sustainable management of aquatic resources

– the full significance of these resources is often overlooked

• Encourage your health departments to engage more with fisheries departments

– Where are wild resources are contributing to nutrition and diet?

– What are the possible policy threats to this contribution?