Evaluation of the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to food security in developing countries

Fish contain important nutrients such as essential fatty acids, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Production of freshwater fish depends on the strategic application of various management techniques. The demand for fish products has increased beyond the natural supply, resulting in a high pressure on fisheries. Development of aquaculture is necessary for a rapid growth in fish production. A number of constraints hamper the development of aquaculture. Introduction of polyculture technologies in some countries is a way of maximizing production from different levels of the food chain. The roles of women in making fish products available to consumers is frequently over-looked by policy makers. Gender equity in policy-making and management of fisheries and in capacity building is an important issue. Fish production from inland waters and coastal areas can be increased by adopting cage and pen culture systems. Input subsidies and loans to resource poor farmers can boost fish production.

Design and implementation of fishery modules in integrated household surveys in developing countries

Fish and other aquatic animals contribute to the food security of citizens of developing countries, both as a source of income and as a component of healthy diets, yet fishing is not currently captured in most integrated household surveys. This sourcebook provides essential technical guidance on the design of statistical modules and questionnaires aimed at collecting fishery data at the household level. Background on the main policies important to the fishery sector, information on the data needed to analyze issues of policy relevance, and methodology on the construction of survey questions to collect necessary data are also provided. The document is organized to provide essential technical guidance on how to design statistical modules and questionnaires aimed at collecting fishery data at the household level. It includes an overview of the main technical and statistical challenges related to sampling fishery-dependent households. The document starts with an introductory section identifying the potential reasons why fisheries and in particular small-scale fisheries have not been adequately included in national statistical systems in a large number of countries. The report then proposes a succinct review of what is known (and what remains unknown) about small-scale fisheries and their contribution to the livelihoods of households in sub-Saharan Africa. It also provides readers with background on the main policies that are important to the fishery sector, information on the data needed to analyze issues of policy relevance, and methodology on the construction of survey questions to collect necessary data.

Mangrove ecosystem of Red Sea coast (Saudi Arabia)

The present paper reviews critically the existing information on mangrove ecosystem of Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast and identifies problems and shortcomings that should be removed or remedied. Mangrove structure and composition seems to have been substantially studied along with salient environmental features, and these are thoroughly summarized herewith. However, the functional aspects, especially energy flow through the ecosystem, remain totally neglected. Both the flora and fauna indicate severe environmental conditions, such as very low nutrient levels, very high salinity values and hard bottom, which are unique to the area. Mangrove growth and diversity is very poor, although conditions in the southern part are relatively favourable. The extreme poverty of the ecosystem is supported by exports of organic matter from adjacent seaweed and seagrass ecosystems and also Sabakhas. Preponderance of epiphytic and benthic algae within the mangrove ecosystem is another source of nutrient replenishment in the otherwise oligotrophic habitat of Red Sea. Finally, a hypothetical model of energy flow in the ecosystem is proposed.

Collection of fish lengths for stock assessment in developing countries

A review of the data (handling) requirements for length-based stock assessment is presented, with emphasis on the relationship between the expected outputs and the key features of the samples required, and on biases and other sources of inaccuracy.

Implications of sea ranching in developing countries

Sea ranching refers to the system under which marine species are artificially reared to fingerlings, released directly into the open sea, then later recaptured after growing to market size. Implications of sea ranching in developing countries are presented in this article.

Two most abundant species of Ulva and Enteromorpha from coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The present paper reports mass occurrence of two algal species Ulva grandis Saifullah and Nizamuddin and Enteromorpha intestinalis (Linnaeus) Link in a protected coastal area in Jeddah, heavily polluted with domestic sewage. They seem to prefer low salinity eutrophic waters for their maximum growth.