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State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2004 - Library

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74<br />

The <strong>State</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Fisheries</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Aquaculture</strong> <strong>2004</strong><br />

FUTURE PERSPECTIVE<br />

CBA is an economic activity that is likely to continue to exp<strong>and</strong> in the short term, both<br />

with finfish species currently under exploitation <strong>and</strong> probably with others that will be<br />

selected for rearing in the future. In the case <strong>of</strong> non-finfish species, such as a variety<br />

<strong>of</strong> bivalves (e.g. mussels), CBA is certain to continue indefinitely in view <strong>of</strong> the very<br />

large number <strong>of</strong> gametes released. However, the CBA <strong>of</strong> selected species <strong>of</strong> finfish is<br />

more uncertain; where it becomes a direct competitor <strong>of</strong> capture fisheries there will<br />

be many who will argue, at least, for strict limits to this activity. It is therefore critically<br />

important that economically viable means be found to rear the species concerned<br />

throughout their full life cycle. When that goal is achieved, not only will the future<br />

aquaculture production <strong>of</strong> those species be assured, but the feasibility <strong>of</strong> restocking<br />

programmes may be explored to enhance their capture fisheries.<br />

While opportunities exist for market expansion for species currently reared through<br />

CBA, there is a tendency (as has occurred in the aquaculture <strong>of</strong> salmon, sea bass, <strong>and</strong><br />

sea bream, for example) for farm-gate prices to decline as the supply increases. Thus,<br />

expansion will only be feasible if farmers are able to reduce costs. The main technical<br />

constraint to expansion is seed supply. In the case <strong>of</strong> tuna CBA, future expansion will<br />

be constrained by limited fishery quotas. Eel farming is already constrained by the<br />

shortage <strong>of</strong> seed <strong>and</strong> future expansion is likely to be limited by controls over elver<br />

capture. Damage to the environment (e.g. by the collection <strong>of</strong> grouper seed) may also<br />

result in controls that will limit expansion. There is enhanced interest in yellowtail<br />

farming but, again, seed supply is a limiting factor.<br />

The potentially positive long-term benefits <strong>of</strong> CBA should not be ignored. As<br />

grouper culture metamorphoses from CBA to true aquaculture in Indonesia, the supply<br />

<strong>of</strong> hatchery-reared juveniles is causing fishers to replace the cyanide harvesting <strong>of</strong><br />

aquarium fish with aquaculture <strong>of</strong> reef fish. This development has positive implications<br />

for the future <strong>of</strong> reef fish culture as an alternative to destructive capture fisheries<br />

practices – not only in Indonesia but globally.<br />

More research, development <strong>and</strong> capacity building in the private <strong>and</strong> public sectors<br />

are essential for success in this area. Researchers worldwide have been working for<br />

many years on the reproductive cycles <strong>of</strong> many species, achieving results that range<br />

from a hint <strong>of</strong> success in the case <strong>of</strong> eels to partially successful ones in the case <strong>of</strong><br />

bluefin tunas <strong>and</strong> selected species <strong>of</strong> groupers. These studies will become even more<br />

important if capture fisheries for the species used as wild seed for CBA become<br />

threatened, as has happened in the case <strong>of</strong> eel fisheries. A ban on the capture <strong>and</strong><br />

export <strong>of</strong> elvers may result; if this occurs, the farming <strong>of</strong> eels will cease unless a feasible<br />

means <strong>of</strong> rearing them artificially to the required stocking size becomes available.<br />

In conclusion, critical issues for the future are the development <strong>of</strong> fry production<br />

in hatcheries on an economically viable commercial scale <strong>and</strong> the refinement <strong>of</strong><br />

environmentally acceptable grow-out technologies. Failure to address these could have<br />

severe consequences for the future <strong>of</strong> both aquaculture <strong>and</strong> some capture fisheries.<br />

Labour st<strong>and</strong>ards in the fishing sector<br />

THE ISSUE<br />

One <strong>of</strong> the most significant changes in marine fishing over the last 40 years has been<br />

the changing status <strong>of</strong> fisheries resources. Burgeoning dem<strong>and</strong> for fish, in conjunction<br />

with technological innovations in fishing <strong>and</strong> navigation, especially in the absence<br />

<strong>of</strong> effective fisheries management, has led to a situation where there is little scope<br />

for increasing fish production from capture fisheries. This has serious implications for<br />

employment in the fishing sector. The emphasis, according to the ILO, is now changing<br />

from maximum employment to sustainable employment. At the same time, the global<br />

fleet is aging – with consequent effects on the occupational safety <strong>and</strong> health <strong>of</strong> crews.

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