Unloading yellowfin tuna
in the Philippines. - Courtesy: R. Hermes, PCAMRD,
the Philippines |
The concepts and examples associated with sustainable use
of Aquatic Ecosystems mentioned above are also linked to
a fundamental concern for long-term food security for human
populations. Food security is defined as 'access by all
people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy
life'. In practical terms this means, production of healthy
and nutritious food is an essential, but not in itself a
sufficient condition for food security. The term implies
an additional socio-economic meaning involving access to
food for men, women and children at all times because, for
example, sufficient food may not automatically be available
in remote areas all year. Virtually everything investigated
in this brochure impacts on long?term food security in that
only healthy Aquatic Ecosystems and environmentally, economically
and socially sustainable use meet its basic conditions.
Maintaining ecosystem health
and integrity
Fuelled by photosynthesis, primary productivity of mainly
small to microscopic algae drives Aquatic Ecosystems and
resource production. The first scientific estimates to assess
primary production necessary to support world fisheries
showed an unexpectedly high use on heavily fished continental
shelves and coastal waters, where most of the world's fisheries
are concentrated. Ranging between a quarter and a third
of total primary production, these estimates paralleled
those for land-based production and set the alarm bells
ringing. Photosynthesis must be ongoing and not restricted
by heavy pollution, habitat degradation or other pressures.
Similarly, these impacts must not erode biodiversity and
undermine overall ecosystem resilience.
Shallow waters on continental shelves are the most productive
parts of the ocean and include estuaries, mangroves, marshes,
sea grasses, coral reefs and areas mostly along the western
coast of continents. These coastal 'food factories' lie
within 200 nautical miles (370 km) of the coast, i.e. within
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), and are subject to the
heaviest fishing and development pressures. The EC's international
cooperation supports sustainable use initiatives which help
maintain the integrity and productivity of coastal systems.
Trade and food availability
Trade in fishery products generates great wealth. More
than 40% of fishery production has gone to international
trade since the mid-90s, representing a much higher proportion
than for basic food commodities such as rice. The value
is estimated by the FAO at around €60 billion/year.
Developing countries registered a net fishery trade surplus
of around €20 billion/year. However, wealth distribution
may not benefit coastal populations equitably, although
they often depend directly on reliable harvests of marine
organisms from one year to the next. Trade strongly influences
long-term food security of producers and consumers. It has
been shown to fuel over?exploitation of renewable resources,
leading to declining catches and resource scarcity in some
cases. To what extent earnings from trade can compensate
for such negative effects or permit the adoption of alternative,
sustainable development options, needs careful analysis.
It is clear, however, that the scale of influence on fisheries
is now enormous, and it has also stimulated significant
growth in aquaculture production.
Overall, aquafood availability is highest where demand
is matched by purchasing power. Thus, while availability
is guaranteed in the three big importing markets of Japan,
Northern America and Europe, per-capita availability
has decreased in several developing country regions.
Furthermore, availability and international trade is strongly
influenced by food safety norms. Several European directives
have introduced aspects of safety standards into the value
chain for fisheries products from 'farm to fork'(32),
as have other countries, usually based on Codex Alimentarius
provisions.
A labelling regulation for fisheries products came into
effect in the European Union in 2001 requiring identification
of the official commercial name, the origin and the production
method (wild fisheries or aquaculture)(33).
This regulation is part of the Common Market Organisation
in fisheries and aquaculture products(34)
and is aimed at providing consumers with a minimum of information
on the characteristics of these products. Imported produce
must also comply.
In addition, various labelling schemes from producers
and distributors are now in place for fish products. They
aim to promote resource sustainability, distinction of quality
(price on the market), product safety and/or fairness of
trade. Typically, such industry labels inform the consumer
that, for example, only environmentally friendly fishing
or aquaculture techniques have been used. New interest in
'bio-certification' is particularly intense in aquaculture,
although current schemes tend to be complex and expensive.
Will we see simpler schemes that can involve the public
in monitoring of compliance with various dimensions of sustainability
and re-establish trust this way?
The Commission recognises that aquatic resources can play
a key role in supporting national socio?economic activities,
including a significant contribution to food security. Its
international cooperation policy is actively promoting greater
coherence between the macro-economic role of fisheries
and its micro-economic role in poverty alleviation
and livelihood improvement.
Good practice examples
Fisheries governance and food security: North
and South in concert
The aim of this thematic network is to produce a new approach
to the governance of fisheries and food security in developing
countries, based upon interactions between different disciplines
and between academics and practitioners. Bringing together
29 teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, its
point of departure is recognition that, despite increasing
evidence, little is being done effectively to address the
current crisis in fisheries. In an effort to analyse the
obstacles and potential avenues for positive change, the
network is exploring:
1) principles of governance;
2) food security and the food web;
3) technological innovation and control;
4) institutional tradition and renewal; and
5) multi-use conflicts.
Over the course of three years the partners in the network
aim to develop and produce an academic and policy handbook,
and to disseminate the results via a teaching seminar and
an information network.
Improving the quality and use of low-value fish
by processing
This research collaboration mobilises two teams from Asia,
three from sub-Saharan Africa and three from Europe. Its
main objectives are to produce high-value products from
fish, including under-used, low-value protein isolate, oil
and gelatine, and to use the knowledge gained to control
and enhance the safety and nutritional properties of the
processed products. It will do so by designing a cheap but
effective technology (in particular, an extruder) that can
be made and operated in developing countries. Drying is
also being investigated as an alternative to extrusion.
Following on from a previous highly successful project,
the new partnership expects to support the expansion of
post-harvest technologies in the countries concerned. This
should lead to the assessment and production of high-quality
and nutritious food products, including infant foods and
snacks, made from selected fish and local crops. Interaction
between the research teams and local companies is built
in from the beginning to enhance the chances of effective
take-up and use of research results.
Strengthening health conditions for fishery products
in ACP/OCT countries
A new major five-year project was approved early in 2002
for funding by the EDF to strengthen the capacities of veterinary
and health authorities responsible for meeting international
sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards of their fisheries
and aquaculture products in African, Caribbean and Pacific
countries. The principal objective is to safeguard ACP countries'
ability to maintain their earnings from international trade,
in which the fisheries sector contributes positively to
the balance of payments in many ACP countries. The project
activities will support:
(a) institutional strengthening of the competent authorities
in organisational, legislative, financial sustainability,
technical aspects and anti-corruption procedures, as well
as provision of means and equipment;
(b) empowerment of the inspection services and testing
laboratories, as well as supporting technical institutes;
(c) training and technical advice to the fish industry,
including fishing vessels and processing plants;
(d) assistance to small-scale fisheries through credit
and investment in fisheries and social infrastructure;
and
(e) the risk of trade development producing undesirable
additional fishing effort on fish stocks will be addressed
by providing technical support on fisheries policy issues
(foreign fishing and resource management policies) and
encouraging diversification of trade based on small-scale
fisheries.
This project is expected to have positive knock-on effects
in this sector in partner countries by raising hygiene standards
and product safety, and developing sustainable legal, institutional,
resource and financial systems for the inspection and control
of health conditions.
Fish drying in the Philippines.
- Courtesy: R. Hermes, PCAMRD, the Philippines
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