Integrated farming is profitable

Growing fish with rice while maximizing land use can bring advantages to both crops as production is intensified. Details are given of the basic structure of rice field aquaculture, listing the major advantages and disadvantages of this system. Particular reference is made to the integrated farms at Culasi, Antique (Western Philippines) and at Barangay Igcocolo, Guimbal, Iloilo where agricultural crops other than rice are integrated with fish farming (tilapia -- Oreochromis mossambicus) and livestock rearing. An account is also given of the system at the AQD site at New Busuang, Kalibo, Aklan which evaluates the economic feasibility and profitability of farming mudcrab in tidal flats with existing mangroves.

Aquaculture provisions of the proposed fishery code

A list is given of the provisions for aquaculture in the Philippine Fishery Code, passed by Congress on its third and final reading on 5 August 1997, under the following headings: 1) Code of practice for aquaculture; 2) Fishpond lease agreements; 3) Fish pens, fish cages, fish traps, etc.; 4) Non-obstruction to navigation and to defined migration paths of fish; 5) Insurance; and, 6) Registration.

Ecological limits of high-density milkfish farming

In the Philippines at present, milkfish farming in ponds includes a wide range of intensities, systems and practices. To make aquaculture possible, ecosystems are used as sources of energy and resources and as sinks for wastes. The growth of aquaculture is limited by the life-support functions of the ecosystem, and sustainability depends on matching the farming techniques with the processes and functions of the ecosystems, for example, by recycling some degraded resources. The fish farm has many interactions with the external environment. Serious environmental problems may be avoided if high-intensity farms are properly planned in the first place, at the farm level and at the level of the coastal zone where it can be integrated with other uses by other sectors. It is believed that the key to immediate success in the mass production of milkfish for local consumption and for export of value-added forms may be in semi-intensive farming at target yields of 3 tons per ha per year, double the current national average. Intensive milkfish farming will be limited by environmental, resource and market constraints. Integrated intensive farming systems are the appropriate long-term response to the triple needs of the next century: more food, more income, and more jobs for more people, all from less land, less resources, and less non-renewable energy.

Aquaculture for whom?

Aquaculture and coastal resources management is discussed, indicating the various factors which need to be taken into consideration when introducing aquaculture into a community: 1) Resources users and stakeholders; 2) Perception about resources; 3) Knowledge about aquaculture; 4) Property rights regimes; 5) Gender matters; 6) Consumer preferences; 7) Availability of support services.

Sustainability in aquaculture

Sustainable aquaculture in Asia is discussed, considering in particular the loss of mangroves associated with the rapid increase in production of cultured shrimp. Southeast Asia's development and population growth brought non-sustainable exploitation of its coastline; the destruction has increased through the years as development proceeded and the international markets entered the scenario. An outline is given of the current status of mangroves in some Asian countries. Some worldwide remedies for sustainable aquaculture are described.

Knowing Asian aquaculture and fisheries. Part 1

An outline is given of aquaculture and fisheries in Asia, providing information of use to students whose work can influence laws, rules, policy and regulations on aquaculture and fisheries, with the view in mind to sustainable aquaculture. In this issue, the following countries are examined: China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.

Knowing Asian aquaculture and fisheries

An outline is given of aquaculture practices in Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, which included freshwater, brackishwater and marine systems.