Value chain analysis for sea cucumber in the Philippines

This study examined the sea cucumber industry in the Philippines through the value chain lens. The intent was to identify effective pathways for the successful introduction of sandfish culture as livelihood support for coastal communities. Value chain analysis is a high-resolution analytical tool that enables industry examination at a detailed level. Previous industry assessments have provided a general picture of the sea cucumber industry in the country. The present study builds on the earlier work and supplies additional details for a better understanding of the industry's status and problems, especially their implications for the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded sandfish project "Culture of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) in Asia- Pacific" (FIS/2003/059). (PDF contains 54 pages)

Impacts of climate change and variability on fish value chains in Uganda

This study examines the vulnerability of fish pr oduction in Uganda, particularly as it r elates to the predicted impacts from climate change, using the concept of the value chain. The value chain approach has been recommended as a useful tool to study specific challenges facing a sector resulting from various drivers of change, including climate. Critically, such analyses can reveal context-specific response strategies to enhance a sector (Jacinto and Pomer oy 2010). The specific purpose of the study was to identify curr ent and potential impacts of climate change and corresponding adaptation strategies in fish value chains. The study builds upon information fr om earlier value chain analyses on fisheries and aquaculture production in Uganda to provide a more in-depth understanding of issues facing the fish industry, in particular, those to be incorporated in the CGIAR Resear ch Program Livestock and Fish.

The structure and margins of the Lake Chilwa fisheries in Malawi: a value chain analysis

Small freshwater pelagic fisheries in closed lakes are very important to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa providing livelihoods and nutritional security. However, returns from these fisheries have been shown to �uctuate in response to climatic variability. In order to understand the impact of these fluctuations on the livelihoods of people dependant on these fisheries, there is a need for information on how the fish value chain is organized and how it functions in response to variation in supplies. The results will feed into strategies that build resilience in fishing households against the uncertainties arising from unstable ecosystems. The Lake Chilwa fishery value chain is composed of fishers, processors, traders, fish transporters, boat owners, owners of fish processing shades, fisheries associations, gear owners, gear makers, firewood sellers, and traders of fishing gear and equipment. The value chain employs many people and local authorities can consider using this information in the design of rural development strategies for employment generation in small-scale fishing communities. The findings from this study have a number of implications for the improvement of the livelihood of fishers and enhancing their capacity to mitigate against the effects of climate change.

On the production and nutritive value of fish meal from Silver belly (Leiognathus spp.) landings at Rameswaram

Silver belly (Leiognathus Spp.) forms a major fishery in recent years in the Rameswaram island but fetches for the fishermen very low prices ranging from Rs. 0.03 to 0.12/Kg only, there being practically no demand for the fish. The possibilities of utilizing this cheap fish are discussed and the processing method described. During the glut season the cost of production of Silver belly fish meal works out to competitive prices of Rs. 500 to 700/ton. The silver belly fish meal is of high quality with good protein content averaging 57.71% in commercial samples and 61.90% in laboratory samples and with a high pepsin digestibility of 90.0% to 92.5%. The essential amino acid composition of the Silver belly fish meal compares very favorably with other round fish meals, with high contents of lysine, leucine, arginine, isoleucine, methionine, phenyl alanine, threonine and valine. Since there is good demand for fish meal as poultry and cattle food both in the internal and external markets, there is good scope for large scale production and sale of fish meal.

Commodity and product identification for value chain analysis.

This commodity and product identification research was undertaken in the context of the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS). AAS seeks to reduce poverty and improve food security for the millions of small-scale fishers and farmers who depend on the world’s floodplains, deltas and coasts. The objective of this research is to strengthen the capacity of AAS to undertake value chain studies with high potential impact on smallholders. The capacity-building aspect of this research was focused on the process of commodity and product identification for value chain analysis. Its scope was limited to fish and other aquatic animals and products in the Tonle Sap area identified for AAS intervention. The result of the identification process was the selection of a number of commodities and products that were deemed to involve a high number of smallholders along the value chain and that have high market development potential.

A report on a survey with the r/v "Ernst Haeckel" in July-August 1980: shallow-water shrimp and by-catch, oceanography

A survey of the Sofala Bank (Mozambique) was conducted to: estimate the abundance of shallow-water shrimp in the area between 16 degree 20'S and 20 degree 20'S, from 5 to 100 meters; estimate the shallow-water shrimp species composition and distribution pattern of main species. Collect biological data of the main species, Penaeus indicus and Metapenaeus monoceros; study the shrimp by-catch, species composition and biological data collection of the most abundant species of commercial value; and collect environmental data to clarify the shelf circulation on the Sofala Bank and the main oceanic features in the regions 15 degree S to 18 degree S and south of 22 degree S.

Nutritive value of the crab Podophthalmus vigil (Fabricius)

Among the edible crabs, Podophthalmus vigil occupies a distinct position in Porto Novo coast. Though the fishery is seasonal, P. vigil supports an additional crab fishery from august to october. An attempt has been made to evaluate the nutritional status of different size groups of P. vigil. It has been observed that protein and moisture values are more in smaller crabs, corresponding with a drop in carbohydrate and fat. In bigger size groups, the values of fat and carbohydrate are found to be higher, while protein and moisture contents decreased slightly. The total meat content varies in different crabs of the same size group and the average value of the total consumable part is found to be only less than 30% of the total weight of the animal.

Biochemical investigations on the edible molluscs of Kerala 2. A study on the nutritional value of some gastropods and cephalopods

Data on the biochemical composition and food value of the edible portions of two gastropods, Pila virens and Achatina fulica and two cephalopods, Sepiella inermis and Loigo indica have been presented. These molluscs possess nutritive meat very rich in protein and minerals, which compare favourably with popular food fishes in caloric value. The significance of the variations met with in the biochemical constituents of the different species has been discussed.

The value of Nabugabo lakes in the conservation of Oreochromis esculentus

The wide-spread impact of exotic fishes especially Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus together with over fishing in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins during the 1950s and 1960s, caused endemic species such as the previously most important Oreochromis esculentus to become virtually extinct in the two lakes by the 1970s. Based on reports of presence of this native species in some satellite lakes within the two lake basins, a set of satellite lakes in the Victoria basin (Nabugabo lakes: Kayanja and Kayugi), were sampled between 1997-2002 with an objective of assessing their value as conservation sites for O. esculentus. Other satellite lakes (Mburo and Kachera) also in the Victoria basin, and Lemwa, Kawi and Nabisojjo, in the Kyoga basin, were sampled for comparison. Among the Nabugabo lakes, O. esculentus was more abundant in Lake Kayanja (20.1 %) ofthe total fish catch by weight compared to Lake Kayugi (1.4 %). The largest fish examined (38.7 cm TL) was caught in Lake Kayugi, (also the largest in all satellite lakes sampled), while the smallest (6.6 cm TL) was from Lake Kayanja. Fish from Lake Kayugi had a higher condition factor K (1.89± 0.02) than that from Lake Kayanja (1.53±0.0I), which was the second highest (compared with other satellite lakes) to Lake Kawi (1.92±0.2). Diatoms, especially Aulacoseira, which were previously known to be the best food for O. esculentus in Lake Victoria were mostly encountered (93.2 %) in fish stomachs from Lake Kayugi. In Lake Kayanja the dominant food item was the blue green algae (Planktolyngbya) while Microcystis was the most abundant diet item in fish from other satellite lakes. There were more male than female fish (ratio 1:0.91 and 1: 0.79 in lakes Kayugi and Kayanja respectively). This is comparable to the situation in Lake Victoria before the species got depleted. The highest mean fecundity was (771±218 eggs) recorded in Lake Kayugi compared to Lake Kayanja (399±143). Based on the results from Lake Kayugi, where diatoms dominated the diet of O. esculentus and where the largest, most fecund and healthy fish were found, this lake would be a most valuable site for the conservation of O. esculentus and the best source of fish, for restocking and for captive-propagation. This lake is therefore recommended for protection from over exploitation and misuse.