National priorities and
aquaculture development
Although aquaculture planning has necessarily to be based on the
priorities and existence of conditions where aquaculture can make a significant
contribution, in the majority of countries increased food production and the
attainment of self-sufficiency will form an integral part of economic
development policy. As mentioned earlier, integrated rural development, which
could include rural aquaculture, will also have high priority in many
countries. In either case and, for that matter, in any form of aquaculture
planning, the first step should be an examination of the state and contribution
of capture fisheries and projected future production against expected demand. A
global estimate of supply. Similar estimates may be made on a national basis to
identify in as precise a manner as possible the role of aquaculture in national
fishery production. For various reasons it will be preferable to harmonize
aquaculture production within the framework of overall fishery production and
prevent unnecessary competition in the market place. This does not mean that
aquaculture should not take advantage of its inherent strengths of product
quality and regularity of supplies. Production can be planned within the limits
of demand, so that both sectors will have fair markets. It will also be
desirable to select species for which there are no capture fisheries or the landings
of which are insufficient to meet consumer demand.
One other
means of harmonizing aquaculture development with capture fisheries is by the
provision of opportunities for part-time or full-time employment to excess
fishermen. Coastal fisheries in many countries are presently over-exploited and
the small-scale fishermen are often unable to make a living because of
dwindling catches and the high cost of fishing. By rehabilitating excess
fisher-men in aquaculture projects, fishing pressure in coastal waters can be
reduced and catch per unit of effort increased, to make fishing more
profitable.
Based on the estimates of current and future capture fisheries
production and the projections of demand for domestic consumption and export,
the aquaculture production needed to fill the gaps in demand and supply can be
determined. This, of course, will only show in general terms what is likely to
be absorbed in the market, as assessed largely on the basis of existing
conditions. In aquaculture, market-oriented production is the general practice,
unlike the production-oriented marketing in capture fisheries. So there is a
need to obtain basic information on consumer preferences and demand, both
within the country and in export markets.
There may also be circumstances in which less acceptable products may
have to be produced to meet national priorities, such as a cheaply produced
fish for feeding needy sections of the population, supported by strong
promotional activities. This option should also be taken into account, where
appropriate, in setting targets of production.
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