WorldFish Reports

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/155392

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Trends of Catch and Utilization in Rice Field Fisheries among Rural Communities in Cambodia: A Three-Year Analysis
(Report, 2024-11-18) Sean, Vichet; Sithirith, Mak
Rice field fisheries (RFF) systems in Cambodia are a basis of rural livelihoods, combining agriculture and aquatic ecosystems to provide critical nutrition and economic benefits. The well managed RFF systems enable households to collect more fish, other aquatic animals (OAA), and plants, sustaining food security and incomes. Between 2021 and 2023, RFF systems contributed significantly to rural diets and biodiversity, with each hectare producing an average of 97 kg of fish, 27 kg of OAA, and 4 kg of aquatic plants annually. These contributions highlight their essential role in building food-secure and resilient communities. Fish and OAA are vital sources of protein and micronutrients in Cambodian diets, with RFF systems accounting for up to 70% of fish consumption in some areas. The wet season’s seasonal abundance ensures affordable and nutrient-rich food, particularly benefiting women and youth who actively engage in collection activities. However, RFF systems face challenges such as environmental stress, water scarcity, and changing agriculture practices, emphasizing the need for sustainable management to preserve their productivity and benefits. By addressing challenges through habitat restoration, strengthening connections between community fish refuges (CFRs) and rice fields, and adopting innovative, climate-resilient farming practices, RFF systems can achieve their full potential. Enhanced governance and active community involvement will play a pivotal role in ensuring long-term sustainability. In the Mekong Delta, where rice fields are dominant, these systems hold immense promise for improving livelihoods, securing food systems, and building resilience against climate change across Cambodia.
Enhancing climate resilience and productivity in Mekong Deltas by improving rice-field pond
(Report, 2024-11-06) Sean, Vichet; Freed, Sarah; Tuy, Sinak; Ouk, Hak; Kong, Sovannara
This study explores the potential of integrating rice-field ponds with climate-resilient practices to enhance agricultural productivity and profitability in water-scarce rural areas. The research indicates that rice-field ponds not only support multiple cycles of rice production but also boost income and food security by allowing fish harvesting. Farmers adapted practices by stocking wild fish and reducing inputs, demonstrating the adaptability of rice-field ponds compared to conventional small-scale aquaculture. The study compares fish productivity in pond areas across Prey Veng and Takeo, highlighting differences between control and treatment sites. In Prey Veng, the control site recorded an average fish weight of 0.11 kg/m², while the treatment site saw an improvement to 0.16 kg/m²—an increase of approximately 45% with the treatment application. In Takeo, where the control site exhibited lower productivity with an average fish weight of 0.05 kg/m², the treatment site showed significant improvement, reaching an average fish weight of 0.14 kg/m², reflecting a remarkable 180% increase. The use of rice-field ponds has been documented in previous studies, including Vann Chanmunny's 2015 research in Pursat, which reported an average fish production of 0.46 kg/m² per season. Although yields in the current study were comparatively lower, the targeted interventions effectively boosted yields at the individual pond level. The limited scope of these interventions, which focused primarily on individual ponds without scaling to the broader rice-field fisheries system, likely contributed to the lower yields observed. In contrast, regions with a more integrated system-wide management approach, such as those in Pursat, demonstrated higher productivity. Given the experiment's success, there is a clear opportunity to expand interventions beyond individual rice-field pond management to include comprehensive fisheries system management. Collaborating with the Fisheries Administration (FiA) to manage community fish refuges (CFRs) across the Mekong Delta region could deliver significant benefits, enhancing both environmental resilience and the livelihoods of farming communities.
Future fish emissions: Insights from modeling foresight scenarios of regional fish supply and demand
(Report, 2024-11-08) Chan, Chin Yee; Tran, Nhuong; Schindler, Lisa
A post-model analysis was used to estimate the future GHG emissions associated with aquatic foods across the different regions and subregions under this study. In direct comparison to terrestrial meats, capture fisheries and aquaculture production exhibit relatively low GHG emissions, signifying their distinct role in reducing food system emissions while sustainably fighting malnourishment. Nevertheless, growing production under the High scenario in South Asia is projected to result in substantial GHG emissions in the region by 2050. Our results depict aquaculture as the dominant source of emissions by 2035, as those from capture fisheries are expected to plateau. Technological progress and green investments show potential for the sustainable intensification of aquaculture by reducing emissions, increasing output, and adapting to climate impacts. Notable low-emission interventions include implementing co-cultures in aquaponics and optimizing feed and feeding methods, as well as incorporating seaweed farming into aquaculture. Combined rice and fish production in regions with high rates of rice consumption and nutrient deficiencies could benefit human and planetary health by reducing emissions and increasing food production.
Strengthening a provincial program for scaling community-based resource management in Solomon Islands
(Report, 2024-09-30) Notere Boso, Delvene; Buga, Ben; Houma, Jill; Isihanua, Mathew; Jasper, Martin; Kenilorea, Peter; Konomalefo, Alick; Laumani, Michael; Saeni-Oeta, Janet; Siota, Faye Aborina; Sukulu, Meshach; Eriksson, Hampus
This report summarizes the strengthening of a provincial program for community-based resource management (CBRM) with the Malaita Provincial Government. We describe the implementation and its costs to arrive at lessons learned that can guide future CBRM scaling up in other provinces. The role of provincial fisheries officers (PFOs) has been consistently overlooked and undervalued in internationally organized projects and programs, despite their mandated role in the Fisheries Management Act 2015. Over 4 years, a CBRM program was developed and implemented as a partnership between the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Malaita Provincial Government and WorldFish. A total of 96 communities were visited with information and awareness-raising about CBRM, as well as a survey component to ascertain current CBRM practices. As of December 2023, eight management plans had been developed by 32 communities that wanted to follow up on the information provided. In addition, the program used a CBRM monitoring and evaluation tool and trained 72 community facilitators representing 51 communities. The report provides reflections and lessons from the implementation of this program.
The Fish in School Meals pilot report
(Report, 2024-09-29) Bonis-Profumo, Gianna; Gomes, Silvino; Tilman, Emilio; Pereira, Angelo; De Jesus, Lucas Soares; Duarte, Agustinha; Simões, Noviana; Pires, Natalina; Pereira, Mario; Teoh, Shwu Jiau; Bhujel, Ram C.; Klumpyan, Katherine; Bogard, Jessica; Pant, Jharendu
This report documents the design, implementation and evaluation of the Fish in School Meals pilot and provides recommendations for scaling up fish supply to schools in Timor-Leste. The pilot fits within pillar 3 - increased consumption activities of the Partnership for Aquaculture Development in Timor-Leste Phase 2 (PADTL2) project in partnership with key government stakeholders. It aims to establish and test systems to supply fresh tilapia to schools and assess its future scalability while helping to boost fish consumption among school-aged children in rural areas. As part of the national school meal program, Programa Merenda Eskolár (PME), the pilot supplied locally produced and genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) to 10 schools in Ermera municipality. Over 1000 students from five preschools and five primary schools in rural and remote areas received a nutritious fish dish once a week, between July and November 2023. Ermera has some of the highest child malnutrition rates in the country, and it is a land-locked municipality with limited opportunities to access fresh fish. During the pilot, close to 10,000 meals with fish were served and over 2 t of tilapia supplied.
Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) assessment: Zambia, Nigeria and Kenya
(Report, 2024-08-27) Ganguly, Sujata; Drucza, Kristie; Njiriri, Wanja; Yossa, Rodrigue
The Development and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (FASA) project is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). It operates in Nigeria, Zambia and Kenya, with research support from Malaysia and Sweden. Includovate spearheads the gender and social inclusion work under the guidance of the WorldFish project leader based in Malaysia. The primary goal is to lead gender and social inclusion (GESI) efforts within the FASA project, aiming to conduct comprehensive gender and social assessments and identify opportunities to advance GESI objectives set by Norad, WorldFish and other key stakeholders within the innovative feed landscape. To conduct this GESI assessment, the project used the Automated Directive Services (ADS 205) domains of the United States Agency for International Development, focusing on identifying key GESI-related issues and constraints. Emphasis was placed on understanding how proposed interventions would impact various social groups, including women, men, youths and other marginalized communities. The assessment involved a meticulous desk-based policy review of the legal frameworks governing the fisheries sector in Nigeria, Zambia and Kenya, analyzing existing laws, policies and regulations related to fisheries resource management, including aquaculture, from a gender perspective. This review was followed by primary data collection, employing a mixed research approach involving 28 key informant interviews (KIIs) and 420 survey responses across the three countries.
Development and Scaling of Sustainable Feeds for Resilient Aquatic Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Life Cycle Assessment
(Report, 2024-08-27) Ndebele-Murisa, Mzime; Mubaya, Chipo; Kapute, Fanuel; Samundengo, Angela; Yossa, Rodrigue
An LCA can help identify opportunities to improve the environmental performance of products at various points in their life cycle. It addresses the environmental aspect and its potential impact, such as the use of resources and the environmental consequences of releases, throughout a product’s life cycle—from acquiring raw materials through to production, use, end-of-life treatment, recycling and final disposal, also known as the “cradle-to-grave” concept. Integrating climate and environmental considerations into fish feed life cycles broadens our understanding of aquaculture’s GHG emissions and potential mitigation in managing feeds and feeding.
Mapping the decision-making factors of small-scale fishers: a case study of Penang
(Thesis) Gao, Tianlin
Small-scale fisheries are crucial for global food security and economic development but face numerous challenges. Understanding their decision-making processes is vital for developing effective management strategies. The study employs a qualitative case study approach, including expert consultations and semi-structured interviews with 25 fishers. Factors were identified using qualitative thematic analysis, then filtered by frequency and importance. Causation between decisions and factors were demonstrated by causal mapping. The results are presented in three decision-making maps, each outlining a specific type of decision-making process: daily operational decisions, strategic fishing and sales decisions, and community involvement and collective action decisions. The factors influencing these decisions show a complex interplay across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Operational decisions are predominantly shaped by immediate environmental conditions, while strategic decisions depend on long-term financial stability and market dynamics. Decisions involving community involvement are deeply rooted in social identities and interests, reflecting broader socio-political engagements. Findings reveal that fishers adopt stability-focused strategies to cope with the unpredictability of income and expenses, inadvertently ensnaring themselves in a cycle of precarious resilience. The study also highlights a strong desire among fishers for public participation, spurred by political marginalization. Additionally, the local context such as community network and institutions significantly influence their decisions. This study can be utilized to inform policy and program designs, ensuring interventions are tailored and locally relevant. Specific policy recommendations include enhancing financial literacy and access to credit, fostering an inclusive development process, and strengthening community-based organizations to support the fishery community. Future research should incorporate quantitative methods and broader stakeholder perspectives to understand the factors influencing small-scale fishers’ decisions more comprehensively.
Changing diets and the role of rural food vendors in Cambodia
(Poster, 2024-04-09) Ignowski, Elizabeth; Chitnavis, Shreya; Bun, Phanna; Chroeng, Chantha; Fiorella, Kathryn
Cambodia, like many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), is undergoing a significant dietary shift. National data shows a decrease in the share of household expenditure on food over the past two decades, accompanied by an increase in purchased food items and food prepared away from home, indicative of a diet transformation. In this context, the rural economy relies heavily on informal food vendors and small-town market sellers, whose role is crucial yet often overlooked, particularly in rural areas. These vendors provide convenient access to a diverse range of affordable foods, including fresh produce, cooked meals, and ultra-processed snacks. However, this shift in consumption patterns, from home-cooked meals to food outside the home and readily available ultra-processed foods, poses nutritional challenges at both household and population levels, contributing to the phenomenon known as nutrition transition. CGIAR Initiative on Securing the Food Systems of Asian Mega-Deltas for Climate and Livelihood Resilience (AMD) has conducted and urban food vendor survey in Cambodia. This is a poster presentation on the study titled ''Changing diets and the role of rural food vendors in Cambodia''.
Introducing integrated rice-fish farming in Lao PDR: policy engagements
(Report, 2024-08-09) Inphonephong, Souphalack; Mam, K.; Phounvisouk, L.; Dubois, Mark
This report outlines policies and recommended policy engagements to promote agroecology practices in food production systems in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Literature reviews and field consultation visits were used to collect data on factors and challenges influencing the integrated rice-fish farming practices by farmer households and policy engagements to enhance their local potential and address challenges that may prevent further expansion and sustainable practices. The study found ‘good progress’ in terms of policy and institutional framework, facilitating a gradual transition from conventional farming practice to agroecology into food production systems, although there are some implementation gaps. To facilitate the transition toward improved agricultural practices, the following policy engagements are recommended: • Conduct regular recognition programs and knowledge dissemination events such as farmer-to-farmer peer learning support households in influencing uptake or scaling and farmer-led hatchery learning. • Use evidence-based costs and benefits of the rice-fish farmer field trials in policy research. • Conduct policy research to identify factors enabling integrated fish production in rice fields during dry seasons when many households experience lower production. Some incentives were outlined in the National Policy on the Promotion of Livestock and Aquatic Animal Production. • Continuing to involve policymakers from sectors in the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative to maintain policy support for agroecological farming practices in the community and further expansions across the country.
Policy and institutional landscape analysis in Kenya's food, land, and water systems: Flagship report
(Report, 2024-07-15) Mburu, B.N.; Kirui, Leonard; Karugia, Joseph T.; Adam, Rahma
Tilapia strains adopted in Vietnam determined by discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)
(Report, 2024-05-15) Hamilton, Matthew G.
Quantifying the adoption of genetically-improved outcrossing species, such as GIFT tilapia, is inherently more difficult than for hybrid/inbred crop lines or clonal horticultural varieties – primarily due to the degree of genetic variation in disseminated populations and temporal changes in the genetic quality and characteristics of strains. In this context, Hamilton (2020) developed a tool using a low-density panel of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), genotyping-by-sequencing and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) to identify different and interrelated strains of Nile tilapia in Bangladesh and the Philippines. This study verified the importance of GIFT and GIFT-derived strains to tilapia aquaculture in these countries, while identifying the limitations of this method, given the aforementioned difficulties. Using the approach detailed in Hamilton (2020), the current study had three objectives: • identify and develop new SNP markers; • characterize core breeding populations and key tilapia strains released in Vietnam; and • assess the current adoption of GIFT-derived and non-GIFT-derived strains at the hatchery and farm-levels in Vietnam.
Local Fabrication and installation of Improved Fish Drying Racks to Promote Women’s Participation
(Report, 2024-02-12) Kilanga, Lucyphine; Kakwasha, Keagan; Kitogo, Lawrence; Simbila, Deogratius; Muzungaire, Lizzy; Lukanga, Editrudith; Mudege, Netsayi
This detailed activity report outlines the comprehensive approach taken to construct drying racks. This technology can promote women’s fish processors’ participation in the fisheries value chain and their economic resilience to the economic impacts of climate change in the sector. The technology was selected based on a study on women’s fisherfolk’s resilience
Identifying leverage points to promote women’s economic resilience to climate change challenges in Tanzania – Fish value chain
(Report, 2024-02-12) Kilanga, Lucyphine; Kakwasha, Keagan; Kitogo, Lawrence; Simbila, Deogratius; Muzungaire, Lizzy; Lukanga, Editrudith; Mudege, Netsayi
The goal of HER+ is to build the economic resilience of women to climate change challenges in agri-food systems (AFS) through gender equality and social inclusion. In February 2023, the HER+ team studied how gender norms constrain women’s economic resilience to climate change challenges among fisherfolk in Muleba district of Kagera region in Tanzania. Following the completion of the study, WorldFish and AWFISHNET Tanzania Chapter (TAWFA) and Environmental Management and Economic Development Organization (EMEDO) partnered to disseminate and validate research findings and identify leverage points to transform gender norms and make women economically resilient to the impacts of climate change in the fisheries value chain.
Voice and Leadership for Women in Fisheries to Actively Participate in Governance and Leadership Roles
(Report, 2024-02-12) Kilanga, Lucyphine; Kakwasha, Keagan; Kitogo, Lawrence; Simbila, Deogratius; Muzungaire, Lizzy; Lukanga, Editrudith; Mudege, Netsayi
This report presents the outcome of the workshop with women on December 14th 2023 at Sanard Hotel. The main objective of the workshop was to empower women in the fisheries sector with the knowledge and skills required to actively participate in governance and leadership roles, thereby enabling them to raise their voices and contribute to decision-making processes in their communities. A total of 37 participants participated in the workshop, and these were drawn from various stakeholders, including women fish processors, Beach Management Units (BMUs), government authorities in the region, representatives from EMEDO, and WorldFish. The women fish processors at the workshop represented AWFISHNET’s country chapter, known as TAWFA.
AICCRA CSA-Bundle two Lesson Learned Workshop Report
(Report, 2023-09-30) Mudege, Netsayi; Kanyembo, Henry; Sichone, Mercy; Kakwasha, Keagan; Chileya, Agness; Muzungaire, Lizzy
This report presents the outcome of the lessons learned workshop organized by WorldFish in partnership with the AICCRA CSA-Bundle two Accelerator partners working on integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems in Luapula and the Northern Provinces of Zambia. The main aim of the workshop was to reflect on the experiences, successes, challenges and outcomes of the project to identify valuable insights and takeaways to inform future work. The workshop was held at Sali’s Resort in Mansa on August 30th and 31st, August 2023, and 36 people (8 women) participated. The participants were drawn from the AICCRA accelerator partners, farmer cooperatives, the department of fisheries, commercial feed millers, and other private sector companies.
Context Assessment: Analysis of the biophysical, sociopolitical, economic and agroecological context in Attapeu Province Lao PDR
(Report, 2023-12) Clayton, Terry; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Sinavong, Phonevilay; Phimmachanh, Phoutthasinh; Nhuong, Tran; Kosal, Mam; Dyna, Eam; Viossanges, Mathieu; Dubois, Mark
The purpose of the Context Assessment is threefold: first, to characterize the location of the ALL, as well as its environmental, social, and economic context; second, to understand the data and information currently available in each ALL, and third to characterize how and the extent to which agroecological principles are already being employed in each ALL. The source of information has been from secondary and primary data. The latter from specific activities that other work packages recently developed. The information in this Context Assessment is seen as a ‘live’ document that will be updated as the activities of all work packages are move forward.
Stakeholders Consultation on the National Fisheries Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2024-2028)
(Report, 2023-12-31) Ragasa, Catherine; Onoja, Anthony; Siriwardena, Sunil; Ansa, Ebinimi; Popoola, Olufemi
This report summarizes the processes of developing the national fisheries and aquaculture policy in Nigeria in a 2-day consultation workshop with more than 63 stakeholders from the government ministries, nongovernmental and civil society organizations, research institutes, universities, and donors.
Climate Risk & Vulnerability (CR&V) assessment for climate services: Inland fisheries production and value chain - Lower Mekong Basin, Cambodia
(Report, 2023-12-08) Kong, Heng; Soksophors, Yim; Raksa, Sok; Giles, James; Swaans, Cornelis
As part of the CGIAR Initiative on Asian Mega Deltas, a scoping study was recently completed to prioritize key delta-oriented production systems and value chains for the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) in Cambodia (Gonsalves et al, 2022). Rice, vegetables, and inland fisheries were selected based on a set of criteria including production, economic and nutritional value, climate change impact, and potential benefit of climate services with specific attention for the role of women and smallholders. To better understand the climate service needs of selected production systems and value chains in the Lower Mekong Basin, an additional value chain climate risk and vulnerability assessment was made. This report focuses on inland fishery production and value chain.
Intervention protocol for reducing antimicrobial dependence in tilapia-dominant-fish farming system in Bangladesh
(Internal Document) Rheman, Shafiq; Khor, Laura; Hossain, Sabrina; Delamare-Deboutteville, Jerome; Chadag, Vishnumurthy Mohan
A One Health Initiative (OHI), “Protecting Human Health through a One Health Approach” aims to protect human, animal and environmental health by detecting, reducing and controlling the outbreak of zoonoses, foodborne diseases and AMR in low and middle-income countries. This Initiative is implemented by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the International Water Management Institute, and WorldFish in Africa and Asia. In Bangladesh, WorldFish with ILRI and IFPRI, is working on reducing AMU and the occurrence and distribution of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens of zoonotic importance in aquaculture settings. In this perspective, WorldFish and the OHI CGIAR partners conducted a cross-sectional (CS) and longitudinal (LS) survey in 2023 to collect baseline information regarding AMU and AMR and farming practices of tilapia-dominant framing systems in Bangladesh. It is imperative to implement intervention programs to reduce antimicrobial usage in aquaculture farms in Bangladesh. The broader aim of the intervention program is to evaluate the effects on production and profitability by reducing the dependence on AMU through antimicrobial-sensitive intervention In context to that this report examines several intervention programs commonly applied in animal health sectors to reduce antimicrobial use. It assesses the appropriateness of these identified intervention programs based on the OHI CS and LS survey findings, as well as other relevant research outcomes conducted in Bangladesh in aquaculture sectors. It also aims to propose detail protocols of the intervention program which are identified as suitable in perspective of Bangladesh aquaculture system

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