State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2004 - Library
State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2004 - Library
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.