Assessing the sustainability of brackish water aquaculture systems in the Philippines. Working Paper 4: Aquaculture and poverty - a case study of five coastal communities in the Philippines

After reviewing the rather thin literature on the subject, we investigate the relationship between aquaculture and poverty based on a case study of five coastal communities in the Philippines. The analysis relies on a data set collated through a questionnaire survey of 148 households randomly selected in these five communities. The methodological approach combines the qualitative analysis of how this relationship is perceived by the surveyed households and a quantitative analysis of the levels and determinants of poverty and inequality in these communities. There is overwhelming evidence that aquaculture benefits the poor in important ways and that it is perceived very positively by the poor and non-poor alike. In particular, the poor derive a relatively larger share of their income from aquaculture than the rich, and a lowering of the poverty line only reinforces this result. Further, a Gini decomposition exercise shows unambiguously that aquaculture represents an inequality-reducing source of income. We believe that the pro-poor character of brackish water aquaculture in the study areas is explained by the fact that the sector provides employment to a large number of unskilled workers in communities characterized by large surpluses of labour. Our results also suggest that the analysis of the relationship between aquaculture and poverty should not focus exclusively on the socio-economic status of the farm operator/owner, as has often been the case in the past. [PDF contains 51 pages]

Study on the sustainability of FPC produced from Kilka (Clupeonella engrauliformis, C. grimmi and C. cultriventris) in two vacuum packaging and modified atmosphere packaging at different environmental factors

Fish protein concentrate (FPC) is a healthy, sustainable and high nutritive product which sanitized produced from fishes in which, protein and other nutrients are more concentrated than in fresh fishes. The aim of this research is to study on the sustainability of FPC produced from Kilka (Clupeonella engrauliformis , C. grimmi and C. cultriventris) in two Vaccum Packaging and Modified Atmosphere Packaging at different environmental factors during six months. In our study the analysis of FPC protein showed 91.2%, lipid: 0.5%, ash: 3.6%, moisture: 2.3%, Total Volatile Nitrogen: 10 ml/100gr and peroxide: 5meq/kg. Amino acids and fatty acids were also determined. Bacteria and Fungi were lower than 1000 colony. Samples are kept in different condition of temperature (5, 20 and 35 degree centigrade), humidity (25, 40 and 90 percent) and light and dark environment in six month. Lipid rate in FPC after 6 months in VP and MAP (60% C02, 30 % N2 and 10% O2), packages was decreased but was not significant (P>0.05). It was also detected that increase temperature lead to more decrease in lipid content. Protein rate of FPC was decreased from 91.2% to 73.6% during six months at 35°C in VP Package and from 91.2% to 69.4% in MAP package. These changes were significant (P<0.05). TVN and PV rate in FPC after 6 months in VP and MAP packages was increased but was significant (P<0.05). Amino acids and fatty acids were also determined. But more changes in MAP packages was detected.

The Indonesian ornamental fish trade: case studies and options for improving livelihoods while promoting sustainability in Banggai and Banyuwangi

The four main objectives of this case study are: 1. Understanding market chains: an overview of the market chain from Indonesian reefs to international retail, with greater detail for case study sites. 2. Identifying poor people in the market chains: including people involved in the chain of custody and others who may be indirectly involved or impacted. 3. Understanding the influence of the marine ornamentals trade on the livelihoods of poor people: the case study looks specifically for underlying as well as obvious factors contributing to poverty reduction, and identify examples of better practice for poverty reduction in the marine ornamentals trade, including examples of positive livelihood outcomes from participation of poor people. 4. Identifying recommendations to improve poor people’s livelihoods. (PDF contains 286 pages)

Effects of the Cessation of Sewage Sludge Dumping at the 12-Mile Site: Proceedings of the 12-Mile Dumpsite Symposium, Ocean Place Hilton Hotel, Long Branch, New Jersey, 18-19 June 1991

This study owes its inception to the wisdom and experience of the staff of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center who, after several decades of surveys in the New York Bight, recognized a unique opportunity to capitalize on the decision to stop ocean dumping of sewage sludge and designed an innovative field study to evaluate effects on living marine resources and their habitats. For decades ocean dumping was viewed as a cheap and effective means for disposal of wastes generated by urbanized coastal areas. Even after the 12-mile site was closed, sewage sludge continued to be dumped at Deepwater Dumpsite 106. The 6-mile site off the NewJersey coast is still used as a dumpsite for dredged material from New York Harbor areas. Discussions continue on the propriety of using the deep ocean spaces for disposal of a variety of material including low level radioactive wastes. Consequently, managers are still faced with critical decisions in this area. It is to be hoped that the results from the 12-mile study will provide the necessary information on which these managers can evaluate future risks associated with ocean waste disposal. (PDF file contains 270 pages.)

Assessing the sustainability of brackish water aquaculture systems in the Phillipines. Working Paper 1: A typology of brackish-water pond aquaculture systems in the Philippines

Aquaculture in the Philippines is a long-standing activity but has witnessed relatively recent, rapid, technical change with the introduction of hatchery technology and commercial feed-mills changing the production possibilities for a fishpond operator. We are confronted with a diversity of aquaculture practices in the coastal areas of the Philippines, with new technologies being incorporated into more traditional systems. As a first step to understanding the sector, we therefore present a typology of farming systems with the motivation of generating domains (farm “types”) over which we can compare performance on a number of indicators. Our typology, restricted to brackish-water pond systems, is constructed using multivariate methods (principal components analysis, cluster analysis). Eight variables are used relating to the management of the farm across all the major factors of production. A stratified net sample of 136 observations provides the data for the analysis, from a farm-level survey carried out between January and June 2003 in the two main brackish-water production regions in the Philippines. We define five farm types from this analysis. In later work we will show how the use of this typology can be used for comparative study of economic, social and ecological performance at the farm-level. [PDF contains 42 pages]

Sustainability of indigenous technology in postharvest fisheries operations in Edo and Delta states, Nigeria

The study examined the sustainability of various indigenous technologies in post-harvest fishery operation in Edo and Delta States (Nigeria). A total of seventy processors were interviewed during the survey through a random selection. The data obtained were analysed by descriptive statistics. The results obtained revealed that the majority of the fish processors within the study areas were married with women who were not educated beyond the first Leaving School Certificate. Most of the fish processed were bought fresh, while the commonest method of preservation/processing practiced was smoking. The type of processing equipment used was the Chorkor smoking kiln and the drum smoker while the commonest source of energy is firewood. The processing activities within the communities were found to be profitable. However it was observed that due to the high cost of processing materials and equipment, the economic growth and the living standard is quite low. Some recommendations were made to improve the traditional method of fish preservation and processing

Disease problems in shrimp sector in Khulna district of Bangladesh: a question of sustainability

Disease is the main restraining factor for the development of shrimp sector in Bangladesh. Both brackish water shrimp bagda (Penaeus monodon) and freshwater prawn golda, (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming in Bangladesh have been facing disease problem. A study on disease outbreak in both brackish water and freshwater small-scale shrimp farms (gher) in Khulna district was carried out through interviewing randomly selected 3-5% of shrimp farmers with a structured questionnaire during March to December, 2002. The study showed that 97% bagda farming ghers and 80% golda farming ghers were affected by disease. White spot disease was the severe disease for bagda, whereas, antenna rot was the main disease for freshwater prawn. Change of water and liming were carried out as control measures of disease for bagda shrimp farming, while it was only liming for golda farming. A small number of shrimp farmers (15%) used chemicals for treatment of shrimp diseases. Development of suitable farming technology to prevent disease contamination and innovation of proper treatments for diseases are required to overcome the disease problems for sustainable shrimp farming in Bangladesh.

A bioeconomic analysis of sustainability of marine fish production in Kerala

The study has been undertaken in Kerala State in India with an overall objective of analyzing the bio-economic conditions of commercially exploited marine fishes for assessing their sustainability in the context of existing management practices. Maximum sustainable yield, maximum economic yield and open access levels of yield and effort were analyzed using Gompertz-Fox growth model. The study concluded that the fishing effort exceeded the economically optimal levels and there is unnecessary wastage of money, manpower and fuel in the fishing industry. The study stressed the urgent need for capture fisheries management in the State which at present follows an open access fishery where regulations exist only in the form of seasonal closure in the monsoon season.