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.

Length-weight relationship of fishes from Yemen waters (Gulf of Aden and Red Sea)

The data for this study were gathered between 1993 and 1996 on board commercial trawlers from Somalia, China and Yemen and also from the research vessel Ibn Magid belonging to the Marine Science and Resources Research Centre, Aden, Republic of Yemen. Fish were identified using the FAO species identification literature. All fish were measured to the nearest mm (total length) and weighed to the nearest g. Sex was determined by dissection after the length and weight had been measured. The length-weight relationships were calculated using least-squares regression on log-transformed data and the parameters of the relationship of the form of W=aL super(b) are summarized. Maximum and minimum size of fish sampled are also given. Common names and recent changes in nomenclature were taken from ICLARM's FishBase.

Parameter estimates for fishes of the upper Paraná river floodplain and Itaipu reservoir (Brazil)

Estimates of the growth (K), natural mortality (M), consumption/biomass (Q/B) rate and trophic level (TL) for 35 species in the upper Paraná river floodplain and the Itaipu reservoir (interconnected ecosystems) are presented. A compilation of these biological statistics is made for comparison purposes and some general trends are briefly discussed.

Reference area as a factor affecting potential yield estimates of coral reef fishes

A compilation of 48 estimates of Caribbean and Pacific coral reef fish catches, ranging from 0.1 to 23.7 t km super(-2) year super(-1), obtained from coral reef areas ranging from 0.1 to nearly 4-10 super(5) km super(2), are used to show that observed catches, and hence potential yield estimates, depend strongly on the reference area. The implications for coral reef fisheries assessments are discussed.

Population parameters of small pelagic fishes caught off Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

Growth and mortality parameters, exploitation rates and annual recruitment patterns were estimated from monthly length-frequency samples for Sardinella longiceps, S. fimbriata, S. Albella, Decapterus macrosoma, Dipterygonatus balteatus, Rastrelliger faughni and Encrasicolina heteroloba. These results provide the first sets of stock parameter estimates for these species off Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. The growth parameters derived were found comparable with previous estimates available for the same species from other localities. Recruitment was noted to be year-round and bimodal. Estimates of fishing mortality and exploitation rate were found to be presently above appropriate levels.

Composição elementar corporal, desbalanço alimentar e reciclagem de nutrientes em peixes de um riacho costeiro de Mata Atlântica

No presente estudo foi avaliada a variação na dieta e na composição elementar corporal (C:N:P) de oito espécies de peixes que coocorrem em dois trechos de um riacho. Além disso, foram investigadas as diferenças na demanda e excreção de nutrientes por duas espécies de Loricariidae, sendo uma nativa (Hypostomus punctatus) e a outra não nativa (Parotocinclus maculicauda). As coletas foram realizadas no rio Ubatiba, através de pesca elétrica em diferentes meses entre os anos de 2010 e 2012. A partir da análise alimentar, observamos que as espécies apresentaram variação na dieta entre as localidades, com exceção das duas espécies de Characidium. Apesar destas variações, o presente estudo corroborou a hipótese de homeostase estequiométrica corporal. A exceção foi a espécie Hoplias malabaricus que apresentou variação na concentração elementar corporal e alto desbalanço alimentar entre as localidades, sendo as diferenças mais acentuadas na área aberta. Analisando as diferenças na demanda nutricional dos Loricariidae verificamos uma maior concentração corporal de carbono e nitrogênio para a espécie nativa e maior de fósforo na espécie não nativa, sendo essa diferença confirmada por um maior consumo de fósforo pela espécie não nativa. A análise da excreção revelou que a espécie nativa excreta mais nitrogênio e fósforo que a não nativa. Sendo assim, os resultados sugerem que a espécie não nativa apresenta uma requisição de fósforo maior do que a nativa. Logo, ambientes com altas concentrações de nutrientes, tal como o riacho estudado, podem favorecer o estabelecimento desta espécie

Length-weight relationship of fishes caught in the Itaipu Reservoir, Parana, Brazil

Parameters and related statistics of the length-weight relationship of the form W=aL super(b) are presented for 72 species of fish caught in the area of the Itaipu Reservoir in Parana, Brazil. The b values varied between 2.34 and 3.35, with the mean b=2.986 (s.d.=0.230) not significantly different from 3.0 (df=7, p=0.05).

The future for fish in the food and livelihoods of the poor in Asia

This article is based on the study, Strategies and Options for Increasing and Sustaining Benefits from Fisheries and Aquaculture Production to Benefit Poor Households in Asia carried out under ADB-RETA 5945, and implemented by the WorldFish Center in partnership with nine participating Asian countries.

Reducing feed costs in semi-intensive finfish culture: an update on mixed feeding schedules and an idea for enhancing endogenous food supply in ponds

Some interesting ideas on improving the cost-effectiveness of feeding in semi-intensive finfish aquaculture are presented.

Length-weight relationships of demersal fishes from the upper continental slope off Colombia

Parameters of the length–weight relationship of the form W=aLb are presented for 45 demersal fish species caught on the upper continental slope of the Caribbean Sea off Colombia. The b values varied between 2.13 and 4.97, with the mean b = 3.042 (95% CI, 2.887- 3.196).

Length-weight relationships of demersal fishes from the Gulf of Salamanca, Colombia: [part 2]

The parameters a and b of the length-weight relationship of the form W=aL super(b) are presented for 37 fish species, belonging to 17 families, caught during a demersal trawl survey over the period December 1995 to March 1998 in the Gulf of Salamanca, Colombia

Length-weight relationships of demersal fishes from the Gulf of Salamanca, Colombia

The parameters a and b of the length-weight relationship of the form W=a L super(b) were computed for 46 species caught in a series of demersal trawl hauls over the period 1995-1997 in the Gulf of Salamanca, Colombia.

Length-weight relationships of fishes from tributaries of the Volta River, Ghana Part 1: Analysis of pooled data sets

The parameters a and b of length-weight relationships of the form W = a L super(b) were estimated for 45 fish species sampled in the Oti, Pru and Black Volta rivers, Ghana. Also, the slope and intercepts of regressional enabling standard to total length conversions were estimated for each of these same species. The estimates of b, which ranged from 2.35 to 3.27 have a mean of 2.98, with a s.e. of 0.036. These results are complemented with a brief discussion of the need for data summaries such as presented in this article.