The role of small indigenous fish species in food and nutrition security in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, only 6% of the daily food intake is animal food of which fish accounts for 50%. Rice is the mainstay, making up 60% of the daily food intake. However, many nutrients such as vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, zinc and iodine are not found in rice and have to be obtained from other sources. Small indigenous fish are a vital contribution to the diet of the rural poor in Bangladesh, where more than 30,000 children go blind every year from vitamin A deficiency and 70% of women and children are iron-deficient. Small fish, which are less than 10 cm in length and usually eaten whole with the organs and bones, contain large amount of calcium and possibly iron and zinc. The largest fish promoted in aquaculture do not contribute significantly to calcium intake. Some species also contain large amount of vitamin A. Much of the small indigenous fish (SIS) of Bangladesh are caught in floodplains and natural waterbodies. Small fish are eaten frequently in small amounts and are more equally distributed among family members than big fish of which men get the larger share. Unfortunately, overfishing and the deterioration of natural habitats have resulted in a decline in SIS. When measures are taken to improve food and nutrition security, there should be a focus on production of small fish so that greater quantities are accessible for consumption by the rural poor.

Fisheries production in Asia: its role in food security and nutrition

This paper reviews the status and some management issues of fisheries production in Asia, as well as the supply and demand situation. Its food security and nutritional roles and opportunities for value addition are also discussed.

Política Municipal de Alimentação e Nutrição da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro: uma narrativa sobre seu processo de formulação

Em junho de 2009, deflagrou-se oficialmente o processo de formulação da Política Municipal de Alimentação e Nutrição (PMAN) do Rio de Janeiro. Liderada pelo Instituto de Nutrição Annes Dias (INAD), órgão da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde (SMS) e Área Técnica de Alimentação e Nutrição desse município, o documento foi finalizado em dezembro de 2011. Foi então encaminhado à aprovação pela SMS, o que ainda não ocorreu. Este trabalho analisou o processo de formulação da PMAN, buscando caracterizar o contexto político-institucional de sua elaboração. Partindo de uma visão construcionista sobre ciência, foram realizadas análise documental e entrevistas com atores inseridos nesta trajetória. Os documentos analisados foram diários de campo, advindos da participação da pesquisadora como colaboradora deste processo; registros de reuniões; versões do documento nas diversas fases de sua elaboração; entre outros. As entrevistas incluíram gestores do INAD e da SMS, profissionais de diversas áreas e representantes da sociedade civil e dos Conselhos Municipais de Saúde e de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN). A análise revela o reconhecimento da singularidade do INAD como área técnica e de sua consolidada trajetória na área de alimentação e nutrição, protagonizando ricos processos de discussão no município. Aponta, ainda, uma relativa autonomia decisória para implementação de suas ações. No entanto, paralelamente, as entrevistas revelaram que o INAD parece enfrentar, especialmente na gestão atual da SMS, certa fragilidade institucional, expressa por possíveis mudanças em sua inserção formal no arranjo institucional da Prefeitura; pela atual posição no organograma da SMS, aquém de suas atribuições, e também pela morosidade na aprovação da PMAN. Este contexto político-institucional não foi um fator determinante para a formulação da PMAN, embora as entrevistas sugiram que foi considerado para pensar o processo de construção no sentido de fortalecer uma rede de apoio político. Apesar de a opção inicial do INAD ter sido por um processo coletivo de participação, as entrevistas revelaram baixo nível de informação sobre o documento final da PMAN e sobre o andamento de sua aprovação, o que parece sinalizar que o processo decisório sobre as propostas apresentadas pelos atores centralizou-se no INAD no decorrer do tempo. Apesar da demora na aprovação da PMAN, não parece haver uma rede de pressão pela sua assinatura por parte dos atores envolvidos, dependendo exclusivamente das mediações internas do INAD na SMS. A análise desta experiência permite identificar dificuldades e tensões que instituições com caráter intersetorial podem enfrentar, tendo em vista o limite setorial no qual estão inseridas, num dado contexto político-institucional. Além disso, aponta as estratégias políticas que atores sustentam nos processos de militância e os desafios para fomentar a participação social.

Resilient livelihoods and food security in coastal aquatic agricultural systems: Investing in transformational change

Aquatic agricultural systems (AAS) are diverse production and livelihood systems where families cultivate a range of crops, raise livestock, farm or catch fish, gather fruits and other tree crops, and harness natural resources such as timber, reeds, and wildlife. Aquatic agricultural systems occur along freshwater floodplains, coastal deltas, and inshore marine waters, and are characterized by dependence on seasonal changes in productivity, driven by seasonal variation in rainfall, river flow, and/or coastal and marine processes. Despite this natural productivity, the farming, fishing, and herding communities who live in these systems are among the poorest and most vulnerable in their countries and regions. This report provides an overview of the scale and scope of development challenges in coastal aquatic agricultural systems, their significance for poor and vulnerable communities, and the opportunities for partnership and investment that support efforts of these communities to secure resilient livelihoods in the face of multiple risks.

Food and nutrition security in Solomon Islands

This report is a literature review on Food and Nutrition Security in Solomon Islands, based on data from surveys conducted by Solomon Islands National Statistical Office, as well as from national and international organizations working in Solomon Islands. The purpose of the report is to present information outlining the current food and nutrition situation in Solomon Islands before implementation of the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS), led by WorldFish. The aim of the AAS program is to enhance production in natural freshwater and/or coastal ecosystems to improve household livelihood, including income and food security. This report summarizes national statistics and also focuses in more detail on a subset of provinces: Guadalcanal, Malaita and Western. In 2012, the AAS program was rolled out in Guadalcanal, Central and Malaita Provinces, designated the Central Hub. In 2013, roll out is beginning in the Western Hub (Western and Isabel Provinces). The priority province for the Central Hub has been identified as Malaita.

The Rivers Avon & Erme SAP Consultation Document

This is the Rivers Avon & Erme Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. This document is part of a national initiative to produce action plans for the management of all the main salmon rivers of England and Wales by 2003. The aim of this plan is (i) to assess the status of the salmon stocks and fisheries of the rivers Avon and Erme - including the use of Conservation Limits as part of this process, (ii) to identify factors which may limiting stock and fishery performance and (iii) to propose remedial measures address these factors. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the Rivers Avon & Erme Salmon Action Plan (SAP). While the stocks of both rivers have exceeded their respective conservation limits occasionally in individual years, only the Erme has achieved a period of statistical compliance since 1993. It is possible that this situation is largely normal, due to the steep nature of the rivers, obstructions to migration and dependence on suitable flow conditions occurring at the right time of year. The decline of the spring-running component of the stocks has left the populations dependent on autumn flows for the success of the late running component. Actions required to improve compliance with Conservation Limits are proposed and prioritised. The urgent actions relate to the need to improve the consistency with which adequate numbers of salmon reach and utilise fully all the accessible areas of the river systems. This document is intended to be dynamic, with opportunities for review occurring at regular intervals. For example, as the science of fisheries management improves, particularly in the setting of Conservation Limits, so the targets may be altered to reflect any improved methodology.

The River Axe SAP Consultation Document

This is the River Axe Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Axe Salmon Action Plan (SAP). This strategy represents an entirely new approach to salmon management within the UK and introduces the concept of river-specific salmon spawning targets as a salmon management tool. This document is part of a national initiative to produce action plans for the management of all the main salmon rivers of England and Wales by 2003. The aim of this plan is (i) to assess the status of the salmon stocks and fisheries of the River Axe - including the use of Conservation Limits as part of this process, (ii) to identify factors which may be limiting stock and fishery performance and (iii) to propose remedial measures address these factors. The salmon stock of the River Axe was apparently in a healthy state in the 1950s, supporting net and rod fisheries with average annual catches of around 100 and 50 fish respectively. Catches declined through the 1970s and 1980s to the extent where no salmon were recorded in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This decline was probably due largely to the effects of agricultural pollution, which virtually extinguished the salmon stock of the River Axe. Water quality has subsequently improved, but has deteriorated again in recent years.

The River Dart SAP Consultation Document

This is the River Dart Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Dart Salmon Action Plan (SAP). This strategy represents an entirely new approach to salmon management within the UK and introduces the concept of river-specific salmon spawning targets as a salmon management tool. The north of the River Dart catchment is included in the Dartmoor candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), designated under the Council EC Directive 92/43/EEC, the “Habitats Directive”. One of the conservation objectives for the cSAC is to maintain the habitat for Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar in favourable condition. The River Dart is an important salmon, sea trout and brown trout fishery with no significant coarse fishery. However, eels are ubiquitous throughout the catchment and are lightly exploited. The River Dart SAP contains a description of the river catchment and highlights particular features that are relevant to the salmon population and the associated fishery.

The River Exe SAP Consultation Document

This is the River Exe Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Exe Salmon Action Plan (SAP). This strategy represents an entirely new approach to salmon management within the UK and introduces the concept of river-specific salmon spawning targets as a salmon management tool. The River Exe SAP follows the format of those completed for the Rivers Teign, Torridge, Taw and Dart. It is the fifth of eight action plans that will be produced for salmon rivers within Devon Area. The River Exe SAP contains a description of the river catchment and highlights particular features that are relevant to the salmon population and the associated fishery. The Exe salmon stock is judged to be meeting its Conservation Limit. However, this assessment is uncertain as it is based on an estimate of rod exploitation rate, which in itself is also uncertain. At present there is no means of accurately assessing the River Exe salmon run. In common with many other rivers, estimation of stock using catch statistics and rod exploitation rate is the model used, when direct assessment is not possible. The installation of a fish counter on the lower river, or the use of other direct counting methods, would help to provide a direct assessment of the annual run of salmon into the river. This would improve our ability to estimate the spawning escapement and hence assess compliance with the Conservation Limit.

The River Lyn SAP Consultation Document

This is the River Lyn Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Lyn Salmon Action Plan (SAP). This approach to salmon management within the England and Wales introduces the concept of river-specific Conservation Limits as a method of assessing the status of the salmon stock. The River Lyn Salmon Action Plan follows the format of those completed for the Rivers Exe, Axe, Avon & Erme, Teign, Torridge, Taw and Dart. It is the last of eight action plans that have been produced for salmon rivers within Devon Area. The River Lyn Salmon Action Plan contains a description of the river catchment and highlights particular features that are relevant to the salmon population and the associated fishery. The Lyn salmon stock is judged to be meeting its Conservation Limit. However, this assessment is uncertain as it is based on an estimate of rod exploitation rate, which in itself is also uncertain.

The River Taw SAP Consultation Document

This is the River Taw Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2000. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Taw Salmon Action Plan (SAP). This approach to salmon management within the England and Wales introduces the concept of river-specific Conservation Limits as a method of assessing the status of the salmon stock. The River Taw Salmon Action Plan (SAP) includes a description of the current status of the rod and net fisheries and historical trends. The Taw salmon stock has declined since the 1960s and is currently failing to meet the spawning target. The decline in the spring fish component has accounted largely for the overall decrease in stocks. The reasons for the decline are unclear, but the spring fish problem is recognised as a national issue. The rate of survival over the marine phase has reduced in recent years for both the grilse and MSW components. This is undoubtedly a contributory factor, which may now constrain stocks to lower levels than have existed historically.

The River Teign SAP Consultation Document

This is the River Teign Salmon Action Plan Consultation document produced by the Environment Agency in 2003. The report pays attention on the external consultation of the River Teign Salmon Action Plan (SAP). This approach to salmon management within the England and Wales introduces the concept of river-specific Conservation Limits as a method of assessing the status of the salmon stock. The River Teign Salmon Action Plan follows the format of those completed for the Rivers Torridge, Taw and Dart. It is the fourth of eight action plans that will be produced for salmon rivers within the Devon Area Fisheries, Recreation and Biodiversity Team. The River Teign SAP contains a description of the river catchment and highlights particular features that are relevant to the salmon population and the associated fishery. The Teign salmon stock is currently failing to meet its conservation limit. This failure is largely attributed to the reduction in the survival rate during the marine phase of the salmon life cycle. This is likely to constrain stocks to lower levels than have existed historically. Still further catch controls may contribute to a reduction in exploitation rates and allow stocks to recover to meet their conservation limit. Other important actions include the continuation of habitat improvement works which aim to maximise spawning habitat utilisation, spawning success, and juvenile survival and production.