|
(11
Oct 2005)
Community initiatives and how they can be implemented
to promote responsible fisheries
Responsible
fisheries encompasses the sustainable utilization of fishery resources
in harmony with the environment; the use of capture and aquaculture
practices which are not harmful to ecosystems, resources and their
quality; the incorporation of value addition to products through
transformation processes meeting the required sanitary standards;
and the conduct of commercial practices to provide consumers access
to good quality products.
The
need for responsibility in post-harvest fisheries activities
Fisheries
have substantial social, economic, nutritional and food security
importance. FAO estimates that in 1994 there were at least 30
million people directly engaged in primary production of fish
either in capture from the wild or in aquaculture (FAO Fishery
Information, Data and Statistics Unit, 1997). In comparison average
production per person in Asia for instance is less than two tones
per year whereas in Europe it is nearer thirty tones. These figures
illustrate the degree of industrialization of fishing activities
in the various continents and also the very important part played
by "small-scale" fisheries in providing food particularly in Africa
and Asia.
Large
portions of the world's fishing stocks are fully exploited. Some
are over-exploited or depleted and therefore need to be allowed
to recover if overall fish production is to be sustained at its
present levels in the long term. The growth of aquaculture has
to some extent helped to alleviate the problem of static or diminishing
supply from traditional resources but with the growth of human
populations, there are still likely to be shortfalls in supply.
This means per capita supply will diminish and fish prices may
rise as a consequence. It is estimated that the demand for fish
for all uses will rise to 140 to 150 million tones by the year
2010 (FAO 1997c).
Reducing
the amount of fish that is wasted or lost between capture and
consumption relieves some of the pressure that is apparent on
fish stocks and thus assists in the sustainable exploitation of
the resource.
What the community can do
All
fishing methods have an impact on the target resource and may
affect also non-target species. Many of them also have an impact
on the wider aquatic environment.
The
terms "destructive fishing" have, however, been generally used
by scientists and environmental NGOs for a wide range of situations
spanning from classical over fishing (excessive use) to outright
destruction of the resource and its environment with explosives
(wrong methods). Indeed, many fishing gears could be considered
"destructive" if used in the wrong environment.
Issues
of over exploitation of fishing grounds and use of destructive
fishing methods need to be addressed and each individual in the
community needs to be made aware and take responsibility.
|
