CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/117903

Part of the CGIAR Action Area on Resilient Agrifood Systems

Primary CGIAR impact area: Nutrition, health and food security

https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/15-resilient-aquatic-foods-for-healthy-people-and-planet/

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Baseline study: Digital fisheries and scaling postharvest technologies to reduce aquatic food waste and loss in coastal Kenya
(Dataset) Manyise, Timothy; Brako Dompreh, Eric
The baseline study on Digital Fisheries and Scaling Postharvest Technologies to Reduce Aquatic Food Waste and Loss in Coastal Kenya provides a comprehensive dataset on the socio-economic characteristics, fisheries management practices, and postharvest challenges faced by fisherfolk and fish traders. Conducted across the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, and Tana River, this study employs a mixed-methods approach to assess the adoption of postharvest technologies, digital tools, access to resources and participation, and infrastructural gaps affecting fisheries productivity and fish loss and waste. The findings highlight critical barriers, including limited awareness of digital technologies, inadequate cold storage facilities, and financial constraints that contribute to significant postharvest losses. The dataset serves as a foundational resource for policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners seeking to enhance fisheries management, strengthen fisheries value chains, and promote sustainable aquatic food systems in Kenya’s coastal regions.
Introducing the Nusatupe innovation hub – showcasing the best of the sustainable island food systems
(Video) Palmer, Neil; Eriksson, Hampus; Wate, Jillian Tutuo; Bennet, Greg; Saeni-Oeta, Janet
It must be one of the most unusual and remote research outposts within CGIAR: The Nusatupe innovation hub inhabits the southwestern corner of the tiny coral atoll of Nusatupe, in Western Province, Solomon Islands. Surrounded by aquamarine waters, and with a Marine Protected Area close by, Nusatupe has been the site of a WorldFish research station for 40 years or so – remote from the rest of the world but very close to the lives of Solomon Islanders. Its recent transformation from a research station into an innovation hub is part of a much needed reinvention of the facility, to ensure it is responsive to the needs of local institutions, fishers, farmers and youth. It now undertakes and showcases a range of activities from coral replanting to fish preservation and handling, to indigenous food gardens, bringing in visitors from around Solomon Islands to show what nutritious, sustainable island food systems can look like.
Big Data for Small-scale Fisheries - Peskas in Timor-Leste
(Video) Palmer, Neil; Tilley, Alexander; Sozinho, Villiam
Small-scale coastal fisheries in Timor-Leste (East Timor) are a vital source of food and income for thousands of people. But the lack of data on where fishers go and how much they catch has made it challenging for the government to develop policies to support and sustain the sector. Enter Peskas, a groundbreaking digital catch monitoring system developed by WorldFish with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Jakarta, Pelagic Data Systems, and the CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods. Peskas captures and shares critical fish catch data that enables smarter decision-making, and more sustainable management of coastal fisheries. In this short film you’ll learn all about how the innovation works, set in the stunning surroundings of Timor-Leste. Peskas is now being scaled up to four African countries with the support of UK International Development. Shot and produced by Neil Palmer for WorldFish.
Shrimp farming and the struggles of landless women in Paikgacha, southern coastal Bangladesh: implications for nutrition-sensitive agri-food system
(Brief, 2024-12-30) Begum, Salma; Sharma, Indu K.; Joshi, Deepa; Garrett, J.
Advancing equitable access to common pool water resources for fishers in coastal Bangladesh
(Brief, 2024-12-30) Sharma, Indu K.; Joshi, Deepa; Rahman, M.; Moyna, S. S.; Mukit, T.; Mou, M.; Haque, N.; Ghosh, J.; Basnet, Sahara
2024 harvest age data for rohu (G4) and catla (G1) spawned in 2023
(Dataset) Hamilton, Matthew; Akhter, Md
WorldFish Carp Genetic Improvement Program growth data collected at harvest age for rohu (G4) and catla (G1)
Report on the progress of selection of TiLV disease resistance
(Internal Document, 2024-12-31) Izadi, Fariba
Infectious disease is one of the main issues threatening the success and sustainability of Nile tilapia production. The Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) has emerged as a major threat to Nile tilapia. Combining the new trait data with genomic tools identified several significant QTLs throughout the Nile tilapia genome. In addition, the first tests of genomic selection have been performed in the GIFT breeding program, which promises to increase the response to selection while also reducing the inbreeding rate compared with a pedigree-based approach.
Decision support tool for sustainable aquaculture development (Aqua-DST) – a case study in the Upper Myanmar
(Brief, 2024-12-30) Win, Shelly; Linn, Htet Htet; Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Akester, M.; Soe, K. M.; Oo, A. N.; De Silva, Sanjiv; U, Phay Ko; Moet, Palal Moet
Detecting potential community fish refuges (CFRs) of southeast Cambodia and assessing their vulnerability
(Report, 2024-12-30) Vo, M. Q.; Truong, Q. C.; Vuong, S. T.
This study investigates water dynamics and identifies potential Community Fish Refuges (CFRs) in Cambodia's Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces using multi-year satellite imagery (2018–2023), GIS data, and field data. The analysis focuses on stable surface water regions and their suitability for CFR establishment to support aquatic biodiversity and community livelihoods.
Community fish refuge (CFR) pond monitoring: surface and groundwater study at Sras Ang CFR, Prey Veng Province, Cambodia
(Report, 2024-12-30) Oeurng, C.; Sok, T.; Hout, M. H.; Ich, I.
This technical report delves into the essential task of gathering validation data, focusing on surface and groundwater related data monitoring through the deployment of field equipment. The primary objective is to comprehensively monitor surface water and groundwater levels, along with rainfall, on a regular basis. This hydrologic monitoring initiative is conducted within the context of a case study centered on rice-fish systems, specifically community fish refuges (CFRs) in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia. The selected study area, Prey Veng Province, features a network of community fish refuges. The chosen pond, "Sras Ang", was converted into a fish refuge in 2010 and has a protected status during both wet and dry seasons. The monitoring approach included the installation of instrumentation for continuous monitoring of surface water and groundwater levels, as well as rainfall. Groundwater gradient assessments were conducted, and soil data was collected for further analysis. The collected data was used to create a preliminary water balance assessment, considering factors such as effective rainfall, surface water runoff and groundwater recharge. The study also incorporated anthropogenic influences, like water abstractions and discharges. The project involved site visits, community meetings, and the establishment of monitoring plans. Rainfall data, potential evaporation rates, groundwater levels, and pond water levels were collected and analyzed to understand the hydrological dynamics of the area.
Pilot cum scaling: Inclusion of nutrient-dense small fish powder in diets among pre-school children of Anganwadi Centers and LP School children through a partnership approach at Bongaon Block in Kamrup District of Assam, India
(Internal Document, 2024-12-31) Ratha, Baishnaba; Bayan, Baban; Shenoy, Neetha; Panemangalore, Arun
This report documents an innovative pilot project aimed at combating malnutrition among children. The initiative introduced small fish powder—a rich source of essential micronutrients—into the diets of pre-school children at Anganwadi Centers and primary school children, leveraging a collaborative approach with local government departments, Anganwadi workers, school authorities, and self-help groups. The report highlights the project's design, implementation, and scaling strategy, emphasizing its success in improving dietary diversity and nutritional outcomes while fostering community engagement and capacity building to ensure sustainability.
Standard Operating Procedure: Fish in Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) Assam, India
(Demonstrator, pilot, prototype, plan designs, 2024-12-31) Ratha, Baishnaba; Shenoy, Neetha; Gichohi, Wanjiku
This document outlines the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for integrating fish into the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) in Assam, India. It provides detailed guidelines for planning, implementation, and monitoring, including sourcing, preparation, distribution, and quality control of fish-based products. The SOP aims to enhance the nutritional value of SNP meals, address malnutrition among vulnerable populations, and ensure compliance with food safety and government standards.
Realizing collective action in agency-constrained contexts: the case of the Community Fish Refuges in Cambodia
(Journal Article, 2025-01) Baldivieso Soruco, C. R.; De Silva, Sanjiv; Gleich, P.; Yan, Y.; Dubois, Mark; Sieber, S.; Bonatti, M.
In rural Cambodia, inland freshwater and rice field fisheries are key sources of income, animal protein, and important ecosystem services. As the flood pulse in the Tonlé Sap floodplain recedes post-monsoon, leaving rice fields and local water bodies dry, Community Fish Refuges (CFRs) offer a promising path to sustain dry season fish stocks, aquatic biodiversity, and secure water for agriculture and husbandry. Their sustained physical integrity and productivity as multiple-use systems hinge on communities’ ability to manage these systems collectively. To explore whether the studied communities have been able to respond to the challenge of collectively governing CFR, we investigate two CFR sites that were established in 2016 by local and international organizations alongside State authorities. Our aim is to investigate two key aspects: 1) the presence, extent, and efficacy of community-level collective action (CA) for managing CFRs; and 2) the factors that either facilitate or inhibit CA regarding CFRs. We conducted a qualitative case study between March and May 2023 at two sites in Kampong Thom Province. These were selected because while they have similar ecological features, they show different management results according to the implementing international organization WorldFish. This paper delves into a process guided by external agents seeking to reshape local behavior and existing institutional frameworks. Results show how centralized power structures and entrenched rural patronage politics in villages limit villagers’ participation and agency in CFRs management. Villagers encounter constraints hindering their capacity to instigate change, prompting a re-evaluation of the CFR Committee’s composition and operation to ensure broader legitimacy among actors. While emphasizing extended project funding and informed external intervention strategies, the study underscores doubts about short-term CA feasibility. It highlights the critical influence of contextual factors and policymakers’ assumptions in achieving effective collective governance. Structural factors and the deeply human process of pulling together a plurality of stakeholders pose challenges to establishing community-based projects prioritizing diverse voices.
Scaling-up community-based resource management in Solomon Islands
(Journal Article) Van Der Ploeg, Jan; Sukulu, Meshach; Govan, Hugh; Eriksson, Hampus
This perspective reflects on conservation efforts to increase the coverage of marine protected areas in Solomon Islands. We demonstrate that the current model in which international conservation NGOs provide technical and financial support to pilot projects, from which community-based resource management will spontaneously spread, is misguided. These site-based projects typically require substantial financial resources, ignore external threats to coastal ecosystems, and tend to bypass existing governance structures, which makes replication in other areas highly problematic. We argue that to effectively support indigenous peoples and local communities in the management of marine resources and, thereby, achieve biodiversity conservation outcomes at scale, it is necessary to move away from site-based conservation projects and focus instead on strengthening the capability of government agencies.
The Ocean System Pathways (OSPs): a new scenario and simulation framework to investigate the future of the world fisheries
(Journal Article) Maury, Olivier; Tittensor, Derek; Eddy, Tyler; Allison, Edward (Eddie); Bari, Tarub; Barrier, Nicolas; Campling, Liam; Cheung, William; Frieler, Katja; Fulton, Beth; Guillotreau, Patrice; Heneghan, Ryan; Lam, Vicky; Leclere, David; Lengaigne, Matthieu; Lotze-Campen, Hermann; Novaglio, Camilla; Ortega-Cisneros, Kelly; Schewe, Jacob; Shin, Yunne-Jai; Sloterdijk, Hans; Squires, Dale; Sumaila, Ussif Rashid; Tidd, Alexander; Ruijven, Bas; Blanchard, Julia L.
The Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems Model Intercomparison Project (FishMIP) has dedicated a decade to unravelling the future impacts of climate change on marine animal biomass. FishMIP is now preparing a new simulation protocol to assess the combined effects of both climate and socio-economic changes on marine fisheries and ecosystems. This protocol will be based on the Ocean System Pathways (OSPs), a new set of socio-economic scenarios derived from the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) widely used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The OSPs extend the SSPs to the economic, governance, management and socio-cultural contexts of large pelagic, small pelagic, benthic-demersal and emerging fisheries, as well as mariculture. Comprising qualitative storylines, quantitative model driver pathways and a plug-in-model framework, the OSPs will enable a heterogeneous suite of ecosystem models to simulate fisheries dynamics in a standardized way. This paper introduces this OSP framework and the simulation protocol that FishMIP will implement to explore future ocean social-ecological systems holistically, with a focus on critical issues such as climate justice, global food security, equitable fisheries, aquaculture development, fisheries management, and biodiversity conservation. Ultimately, the OSP framework is tailored to contribute to the synthesis work of the IPCC. It also aims to inform ongoing policy processes within the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Finally, it seeks to support the synthesis work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), with a particular focus on studying pathways relevant for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
A Food Systems Intervention in Rural Timor-Leste Increased Household Fish Purchases and Women’s Fish Consumption: Results From a Randomized, Controlled Trial
(Journal Article, 2024-07-01) Byrd, Kendra; Tilley, Alexander; Dos Reis Lopes, Joctan; Longobardi, Lorenzo; Bonis-Profumo, Gianna; Klumpyan, Katherine; Shikuku, Kelvin
Fish-aggregating devices (FADs) are simple devices commonly placed nearshore to attract fish and make them easier to catch. FADs help fishers adapt to climate change-related fishery declines and have been established as a tool to increase fish catch, but no study has evaluated whether this increase in catch makes its way into local households.
Improved aquaculture management practices and its impact on small-scale rural aquaculture farmers in Bangladesh
(Journal Article, 2025-01-15) Haque, A.B.M.; Khan, Md. Akhtaruzzaman; Mokarrom, Hossain; Hossain, Md. Emdad; Nahiduzzaman, Md; Islam, Md Sayemul
This study focuses on the adoption of Improved Aquaculture Management Practices (IAMP) to boost farm productivity and income, examining factors influencing adoption among small-scale aquaculture fish farming households. The research involved 1178 fish farmers practicing three (small-scale commercial aquaculture, Gher based farming and homestead aquaculture) different aquaculture production systems in Bangladesh. Among them, 715 received training on IAMP and support (fingerlings, feed etc.) from WorldFish, while 463 served as control farmers. Adoption levels were measured using the adoption quotient index, and the impact on productivity and income was estimated using propensity score matching (PSM). Results indicated that approximately 65% of project farmers fully adopted IAMP, with around 28% adopting it partially. The adoption quotient of project farmers exceeded that of control farmers. Fish productivity and income were significantly higher for project farmers in all three technologies, and as the level of adoption increased, their productivity significantly surpassed that of control farmers. The findings show that farmers training, participatory trials, guidebooks, and farmers' field days have significant impact on IAMP adoption levels. Thus, in order to ensure sustainable aquaculture production and income for Bangladesh's small-scale farmers, it is recommended that improved aquaculture management practices be prioritized in an attempt to mitigate the challenges caused by environmental and economic factors in the aquaculture sector.
Promoting gender equity in marine protected areas: A self-assessment tool
(Journal Article) Bonilla Anariba, Sara; Sanders, Arie; Canty, Steven
There is an increasing role of marine protected areas (MPAs) to be the dominant form of marine resource management to protect biodiversity, promote livelihoods, and build food security as part of the sustainable development agenda. However, the effective and equitable achievement of these goals requires understanding women's use, access to, and dependence on marine resources and integrating their knowledge and experiences. Currently, there is inherent gender blindness in the establishment and management of MPAs, which is likely to be confounded as existing MPAs are expanded and new areas are designated. Here we present a self-assessment tool for gender sensitivity within MPA management interventions. The tool is centered on the Feminist Political Ecology approach, which central argument is that different genders experience the environment differently due to their divergent social and cultural roles. The tool evaluates gender sensitivity of management interventions using a total of 15 questions evenly distributed between five themes: Gender power roles; Gendered uses and values; Gendered knowledge, interests, and priorities; Gender-responsiveness management design; and Gender-inclusiveness management design. Responses to all questions are evaluated on a gender awareness scale; 1 = incipient gender awareness; 2 = becoming gender aware; 3 = gender aware; and 4 = gender transformative. The scores for each theme and across the entire assessment are averaged to identify where actions need to be focused. Understanding the power dynamics associated with the access to and control of marine resources will facilitate greater inclusion of women in marine resource management and contribute to the sustainable development agenda.
Data dictionary template for research dataset
(Tool, 2024-12-01) Ghazali, Saadiah; Roslan, Shazleen
This template functions as a centralized document that defines and describes the elements within a dataset, providing detailed information about each data field, including its name, type, format, allowed values, and relationships with other data elements, ultimately ensuring consistency and accurate interpretation of data across an organization or project. An example shown in this template is taken from a PesKaas published dataset.
Navigating large scale ocean science in a Pacific small island developing state
(Journal Article, 2024-11-21) Claassens, Louw; Hernandez, Christina; Biondi, Piera; Jaskiel, Jacob; Karanassos, Christina; Mesengei, McQuinnley; Nestor, Victor; Otto, Ikelau; Renguul, H.; Rotjan, Randi; Sartori, Greta; Tatebe, Lyvonsky
Context. In pursuit of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, large scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs) are rapidly increasing, especially in small island developing states (SIDS). Many SIDS have limited offshore research expertise or capacity to evaluate the efficacy of LSMPAs. The offshore Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) necessitated the Republic of Palau to develop its offshore research ability aimed at supporting science-based management. Owing to Palau’s important tuna fishery, investigating tuna reproductive biology in the PNMS was prioritized as a first step in evaluating the protective significance of the PNMS for tuna. Aims. The aim of this study was to develop a useful and practical platform to conduct large scale ocean research within the context of SIDS. Methods. A platform to conduct offshore research was developed. Reproductive histology and the presence and abundance of larvae were used to investigate tuna reproductive biology in the PNMS. Key results. Most tunas sampled were mature, with 3 of the 59 sampled fish actively spawning. Twenty two tuna larvae were collected across five offshore sites, and modeling results suggest larvae originated from these sites. Conclusions. Findings suggest tuna spawn, to some extent, within the PNMS, and the PNMS provides local protection to tuna populations during this time. A research platform with five steps for developing, undertaking and understanding offshore research in SIDS was developed. Challenges and tips experienced are also detailed. Implications. This platform can support the ever-increasing demand for offshore research in small island, large ocean states with limited resources and expertise.

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