WorldFish Journal Articles

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/132015

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 178

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).
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.
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.
Mapping flows of blue economy finance: Ambitious narratives, opaque actions, and social equity risks
(Journal Article, 2024-04-19) Schutter, Marleen; Cisneros-Montemayor, Andrés; Voyer, Michelle; Allison, Edward (Eddie); Domarchuck-White, Calvin; Benzaken, Dominique; Mohammed, Essam Yassin
The blue economy provides a sustainability framework for ocean governance, but it is unclear whether narratives are matched by binding financial commitments and disbursements. Amid attention being paid to “funding gaps” in the Sustainable Development Goals, a lack of transparency in financial flows means that the blue economy concept risks being co-opted to facilitate further exploitation of ocean spaces and resources without contributing to environmental sustainability or social equity. Here, we analyze blue-economy-labeled money flows disbursed between 2017 and 2021 to identify sources and recipients and potential social equity impacts on the ground. Financing is predominantly disbursed to Europe and Central Asia and skewed toward business development and renewable energy. Our analysis reveals widespread occurrence of “red flags” for social equity outcomes. Although constrained to money flows that actively employ blue economy language, our findings show disconnects between finance and narratives of equity, inclusion, and sustainability. We offer a baseline for critical examination of blue finance flows in delivering equity and environmental sustainability.
Evaluating rational and healthy use options for small pelagic fish species in sub-Saharan Africa
(Journal Article) Bunting, Stuart; Thiao, Djiga; Ahern, Molly; Ansah, Yaw B; Ward, Ansen; Wesana, Joshua; Yossa, Rodrigue; Westlund, Lena
Small pelagic fish species (SPFS) from marine waters off Central-West Africa and North-West Africa and the African Great Lakes Region in Eastern Africa and associated value chains sustain several million livelihoods. Catches are used for direct human consumption, to produce fishmeal and fish oil for animal feeds and to manufacture value-added products. SPFS constitute a valuable source of micronutrients, fatty acids and protein that could help alleviate malnutrition and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. Considering this context, this study aimed to identify and prioritise recommendations concerning SPFS use. Preliminary recommendations came from interviews (n = 122) and focus groups (n = 642) with women and men. Representative stakeholders from Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritania, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Uganda engaged in a Delphi study. Responses were received from 150 and 115 participants in Rounds 1 and 2, respectively. Priority recommendations (Round 2 mean rating >8) included: environmental audits of fishmeal plants, promote health and safety at work, assess health risks, eliminate pollution, locate factories away from residential areas, promote alternative feed ingredients, farmer training and research programmes, enhanced governance, demand assessment, price controls on fish for feed, regular assessment of key fish stocks, assess and monitor fish affordability, consumption and importance in food and nutrition security, promote better handling to avoid food waste, regulate capacity of fishmeal sector. Comprehensive and effective implementation of priority recommendations could ensure that SPFS use can contribute to food and nutrition security and help provide sustainable and healthy diets across sub-Saharan Africa.
Sustainable production and dissemination of genetically improved farmed tilapia seed in smallholder farming systems: A case study from Timor-Leste
(Journal Article, 2024-08-01) Pant, Jharendu; Bhujel, Ram C.; Du Carmu, Adriano; De Jesus, Lucas Soares; Gomes, Silvino; Pereira, Mario; Teoh, Shwu Jiau
CONTEXT: Timor-Leste's National Aquaculture Development Strategy (NADS) 2012–30 aims to achieve an annual aquaculture production of 12,000 tons by 2030 to raise per capita fish consumption from 6.1 kg in 2010 to 15 kg. Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) is identified as the most suitable species under Timor-Leste's existing farming systems and agro-ecological context. It is expected to account for two-thirds of total aquaculture production, requiring over 30 million fingerlings annually, necessitating a strong role of public and private sectors to develop a sustainable hatchery model for producing and supplying high quality GIFT fingerlings to fish farmers on a mass-scale. OBJECTIVE: The major objective was to conceptualize and apply a public-private partnership (PPP) model to produce and disseminate high-quality monosex GIFT seed by public and private hatcheries across Timor-Leste. METHODS: Model GIFT hatcheries were established and monitored using a standard protocol developed by the R&D team. Data on total eggs, clutch size, incubation survival rate, swim-up fry, and monosex fry produced were recorded on a weekly basis. The performance of hatcheries was compared using descriptive statistics at a 5% level of significance. Economic analysis was conducted to compare production costs, gross profits, and net profits among hatcheries and nurseries. Enabling conditions and factors for effective PPP were identified. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The WorldFish, in collaboration with Timor-Leste's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, upgraded an existing public hatchery in Gleno, Ermera, introduced GIFT in 2015, and developed it as a GIFT broodstock centre to supply quality brood fry to other hatcheries. To produce monosex seed on a mass-scale, four PPP model GIFT hatcheries were established between 2019 and 2023. Results from a public hatchery and two initially established PPP model hatcheries showed that the hatchery in Parlamento had significantly higher (P < 0.05) monthly production of eggs, swim-up fry, monosex fry, and clutch sizes. On average, over 177,000 monosex fry per month were produced by those three hatcheries. Local service providers (LSPs), self-employed youths who have been recruited and trained to facilitate input supply and output marketing, purchase GIFT fry from the hatcheries, nurse them to fingerling size, and supply them to farmers. To achieve high seed production and supply targets, scaling of PPP model hatcheries, nurseries, and LSPs along with effective training and technical back-up, favourable policies, institutional environments, and governance mechanisms, is necessary. SIGNIFICANCE: The PPP model GIFT hatcheries are scalable across inland farming systems in Timor-Leste and other countries with similar agro-ecological, socio-economic, and climatic contexts.
Hard and soft climate-smart investments in aquaculture in Bangladesh: Conditioning factors and decision space
(Journal Article, 2025-01-01) Amjath-Babu, Tharayil Shereef; Hossain, Peerzadi; Anee, Sanzida Akhter; Mohammed, Essam Yassin; Krupnik, Timothy
Climate change and its’ associated weather variabilities and extremes are posing significant risks to aquaculture productivity, particularly in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Concurrently, the increasing population and shifting consumption patterns are driving higher demand for aquacultural products. This study investigates the impact of floods, heavy rainfall, tidal surges, high temperatures, droughts, erratic rainfall, and water quality parameters (Dissolved Oxygen, ammonia, pH) on investments in “hard” assets, such as specific fish-farm equipment (aquaculture nets, fish cages, thermometers, irrigation pumps), to enhance climate resilience. Additionally, the study explores “soft” investments in information services that provide advanced forecasts on monsoon onset, heavy rainfall, dry spells, high temperature and cold spells. The results indicate that the level of investment in climate-smart aquaculture is currently influenced by climate stresses, investment capacity (farm size, family size), aquaculture system characteristics (pond size and depth, type of fish, aggregate yields), and market-related factors (proximity to roads and markets). In the context of climate-informed decision-making, forecast-based advisory services can facilitate the transition to climate-smart aquaculture. However, the benefits of the information services are often linked to substantial investments in hard infrastructure that ensure the effective utilization of climate information and advisory services. This absence of accessible climate information services and the capacity to invest in climate smart equipment that makes the information actionable, hinder the transition to climate smart aquaculture by smallholder farmers and hence threaten their livelihood and nutritional security.
Measuring women’s empowerment in aquaculture in northwestern Bangladesh using a project level women’s empowerment in fisheries index (pro-WEFI)
(Journal Article) Adam, Rahma; Rajaratnam, Surendran; Sufian, Farha; Njogu, Lucy
Gender equality and women’s empowerment have been increasingly emphasised in food production systems, including fisheries and aquaculture. Accurate assessment and understanding of the state, progress and changes in women’s empowerment in the sub-sectors is required. We applied the project level Women’s Empowerment in Fisheries and Aquaculture Index (pro-WEFI), which is based on the project-level women’s empowerment in agriculture index (pro-WEAI) to standardize the measurement of women’s agency and empowerment in fisheries and aquaculture. Drawing on a survey conducted in north-western Bangladesh, we examined quantitative pro-WEFI data collected from 217 households engaged in aquaculture. Only 33% of the women and 48% of the men in the sample achieved empowerment in aquaculture, attaining scores of 0.75 and above. The mean disempowerment score (1-3DE) revealed that both women and men failed to achieve adequacy on average in nearly 28% of the indicators. Nearly 40% of the dual adult households did not attain gender parity with women achieving lower adequacy scores than men from the same household. Women’s disempowerment was primarily driven by lack of autonomy in their use of income (18.5%), inability to visit important locations (17.4%), and inadequate access to and decision making on financial services (13.4%). Our findings emphasize the significance of conducting comprehensive assessments of women’s empowerment in aquaculture initiatives and its various domains and indicators inform the development of targeted and effective interventions. By identifying domains where gender inequality is most pronounced, projects can better design interventions to create targeted impacts in critical areas.
Impacts of warming on outdoor worker well-being in the tropics and adaptation options
(Journal Article, 2024-03-15) Masuda, Yuta; Parsons, Luke; Spector, June; Battisti, David; Castro, Brianna; Erbaugh, James; Game, Edward; Garg, Teevrat; Kalmus, Peter; Kroeger, Timm; Mishra, Vishmal; Shindell, Drew; Tigchelaar, Michelle; Wolff, Nicholas; Vargas Zeppetello, Lucas
Over a billion outdoor workers live in the tropics, where nearly a fifth of all hours in the year are hot and humid enough to exceed recommended safety thresholds for workers conducting heavy labor. Reviews have focused on heat impacts on worker health, well-being, and productivity, but synthesis on how to increase resilience to heat for outdoor workers is lacking. Here we assess current and future heat exposure in the tropics and review four bodies of literature on heat impacts on workers. We also synthesize knowledge about mitigation and adaptation uncertainties as well as the actions that can be taken to strengthen worker resilience. We show that under an additional 1°C of warming, ∼800 million people in the tropics will live in areas where heavy work should be limited for over half of the hours in the year. Our review provides primary, secondary, and tertiary solutions that will inform policies and practices as well as research that is needed to bolster worker resilience and well-being.
Nutrition-sensitive climate risk across food production systems
(Journal Article, 2025-01-01) Tigchelaar, Michelle; Selig, Elizabeth; Sarhadi, Ali; Bruce, Janaya; Allison, Edward (Eddie); Battista, Willow; Fanzo, Jessica; Kleisner, Kristin; Mehrabi, Zia; Naylor, Rosamond; Schmidhuber, Josef; Thilsted, Shakuntala
Global nutrition targets remain unmet, as over half of preschool-aged children and two-thirds of non-pregnant women of reproductive age worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Climate change poses a growing threat to global food and nutrition security, but existing climate risk assessments often overlook the critical roles of both terrestrial and aquatic nutrient-rich foods that are vital for dietary diversity and micronutrient supply. In this study, we introduce an innovative framework that integrates data on future climate extremes, nutrient supply dependencies, and diet-related climate vulnerability. Our comprehensive analysis assesses nutrition-sensitive climate risk to five essential micronutrients across production systems. By mid-century (2041–2060), we estimate that 75% of calcium, 30% of folate, 39% of iron, 68% of vitamin A, and 79% of vitamin B12 produced in primary food products will face frequent climate extremes (at least every other year) globally. Nearly fifty countries are projected to face high domestic climate risk for two or more micronutrients during this period, with ten countries facing high risk across all five. We outline distinct climate risk profiles to offer data-driven entry points into strategies for bolstering the resilience of micronutrient supply chains and advancing progress toward global nutrient targets in the face of a changing climate.
Advancing the climate-biodiversity-fisheries nexus in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
(Journal Article, 2024-11-01) Bograd, Steven; Anderson, Laura; Canonico, Gabrielle; Chiba, Sanae; Di Lorenzo, Emanuele; Enterline, Claire; Gorecki, Edward; Griffis, Roger; Kleisner, Kristin; Lachance, Hannah; Leinen, Margaret; Mills, Katherine; Müller-Karger, Frank; Roskar, Grace; Schmidt, Jörn; Seary, Rachel; Seeyave, Sophie; Tan, Shau Hwai; Soares, Joana; Tigchelaar, Michelle
Climate-driven changes in marine ecosystem structure and function adversely impact the biodiversity and sustainability of living marine resources, food security, and the resilience of coastal communities. Understanding how climate change impacts marine ecosystem biodiversity and global fisheries, i.e. the “climate-biodiversity-fisheries nexus”, is a fundamental element of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Several Ocean Decade-endorsed Programmes within the climate-biodiversity-fisheries nexus are building global networks to transform our capacity to understand, forecast, manage, and adapt to climate-driven changes in ocean ecosystems, including sustaining blue food resources that provide essential food security and nutrition in a rapidly changing world. We compare the scope, objectives, global partnerships, and capacities of these Programmes, facilitating effective collaboration and identifying critical gaps in developing solutions to climate-driven changes in marine food webs, species assemblages, and global fisheries. This work complements the Ocean Decade Vision 2030 process by providing an assessment of actions that are underway and guidance to establish new actions needed to monitor and understand marine biodiversity and manage global fisheries within a changing climate. We provide recommendations for new and existing Ocean Decade Actions around the climate-biodiversity-fisheries nexus to help achieve the Ocean Decade outcomes of a “productive, predicted, healthy, and resilient ocean” by 2030.
Peskas: Automated analytics for small-scale, data-deficient fisheries
(Journal Article, 2025-02) Longobardi, Lorenzo; Sozinho, Villiam; Altarturi, Hamza; Cagua, E. Fernando; Tilley, Alexander
Small-scale fisheries account for almost 90 % of global fisheries employment and are responsible for landing >40 % of the world's fish catch. Yet their importance to livelihoods and food and nutrition security in Least Developed Countries are only recently emerging due to the logistical, financial, and capacity challenges of gathering and interpreting data in this diverse, dispersed and informal sector. Peskas was designed as a low-cost solution to tackle this problem, providing a template workflow for ingestion and analysis to a decision dashboard, which can be adapted to different contexts and needs.
Microbiomes of Tilapia Culture Systems: Composition, Affecting Factors, and Future Perspectives
(Journal Article, 2024-01) Huavas, Jonabel; Heyse, Jasmine; Props, Ruben; Delamare-Deboutteville, Jerome; Shelley, Colin
With the increasing demand for global food resources, improving aquaculture production has been the focus for years. Tilapia has become one of the most commonly farmed and economically important fish species globally. Research efforts have recognized the significant roles that microbial communities play in improving the health and aquaculture performance of tilapia. However, interactions between tilapia and its associated microbial communities remain poorly understood. In this review, the current understanding of tilapia microbiomes is summarized. With fish being in intimate relationship with its environment, studies characterizing the microbial communities present in the rearing environment and how they affect tilapia microbiomes and health are also examined. Having an in-depth understanding of the different microbiomes and their roles and interactions in the tilapia culture system is a crucial step toward managing and modulating these microbial communities to improve tilapia health. This review also sheds light on the different factors that influence tilapia microbiomes such as developmental stages, organ tissues, and types of culture systems. The effects of on-farm practices such as diet; feeding regimes; use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics; vaccination; application of antibiotics; disinfection; and pond fertilization on tilapia microbiome are also discussed. Through this review, future research needs are identified that can provide a deeper understanding of the relationships among tilapia microbiomes, health, and productivity. These knowledge in turn can be harnessed into practical applications and potential microbiome-based management protocols to improve future best management practices for tilapia aquaculture.
The Social Flood Pulse and socio-ecological Transformation of the Tonle Sap
(Journal Article) Sithirith, Mak; Carl, Grundy-Warr
The flood pulse is a hydrological concept of the river-lake-floodplain system, demonstrating the varying hydrological regimes between wet and dry seasons, which drive productivity and interaction of living and non-living organisms in river-lake-floodplain systems (RLFS). This paper posits that the flood pulse is a ‘social,’ physical, and hydrological driver of change in the Mekong Basin, particularly for the ‘pulsing heart’ of Tonle Sap Lake (TSL). Although the flood pulse provides a comprehensive knowledge of RLFS, there has been less attention on how the flood pulse contributes to the development of river-lake society. This paper examines the social aspects of the flood pulse in RLFS and explores how communities adapt to changing hydrological regimes between the wet and dry seasons. It is argued that the physical and social dimensions of the flood pulse should be essential considerations in water governance, environmental and social policy arenas. It concludes that the flood pulse shapes human settlements in TSL into water-based, water-land-based, and land-based communities, induces vertical and horizontal mobilities of communities between the wet and dry seasons, and influences the organization of productive spaces and non-spatial activities to sustain livelihoods. Developments such as hydropower are causing ecological and social transformations in TSL.
Exploring the potential of decentralized extension models on the sustainability of livelihoods: a food security lens on aquaculture farmers in Bangladesh
(Journal Article) Brako Dompreh, Eric; Manyise, Timothy; Lozano, Denise; Khondker, Murshed-E-Jahan; Dam Lam, Rodolfo; Rossignoli, Cristiano
Small-scale farmers in Bangladesh aquaculture face multiple challenges. Among these challenges are the inadequate supply of quality seed, limited credit access, poor availability of quality fish feed, land-use conflicts, the adverse effects of climate change, and the low adoption of best aquaculture management practices. These challenges spiral into low productivity, low incomes, and low food security of households. Extension has been seen as an important tool for technology and knowledge transfer, resulting in increased farm productivity and household food security. However, small-scale aquaculture farmers in Bangladesh lack access to critical extension service needed to improve productivity and their livelihoods. Using Propensity Score Matching, we test whether more decentralized extension systems yield similar food security outcomes as traditional extension models. Analysing data from 1,017 respondent, we find that decentralized extension models lead to improved food security of aquaculture households compared to non-beneficiaries. We recommend among others, the critical need to synergize extension systems, reduce costs and better target aquaculture farmers. Additionally, public-private partnerships can help leverage strengths from various extension approaches for more effective knowledge dissemination to aquaculture farmers, ultimately enhancing their livelihoods.
Farmer perspectives on desired catfish attributes in aquaculture systems in Nigeria. An exploratory focus group study
(Journal Article, 2024-07-15) Manyise, Timothy; Komugisha, Basiita Rose; Mwema, Catherine; Oyesola, Olutokunbo; Siriwardena, Sunil; Fregene, Bernadette; Cole, Steven; Brako Dompreh, Eric; Dam Lam, Rodolfo; Lozano, Denise; Rossignoli, Cristiano; Benzie, John
As a first step to determine the focus of potential genetic improvement programs for African catfish in Nigeria, we conducted a study to identify the preferred attributes among catfish producers across three states renowned for aquaculture production, in December 2022. Employing a qualitative approach, data were collected through 11 focus group discussions involving 123 participants. The findings indicate that farmers prioritize a range of catfish attributes related to both consumption and production. The top five production-related attributes identified by farmers include stress tolerance, disease resistance, fast growth, robustness, and high survival rates. For consumption-related attributes, preferences were for large, long, heavy catfish, with abundant flesh and thickness. Notably, the prioritization of these attributes varied among catfish farmers both between and within states, reflecting diverse farming objectives and market dynamics. Future research is essential to define precise objectives and scope for selective breeding program design, considering the investment necessary for the success of such programs and how they can accommodate the diverse preferences identified.
A gendered conjoint analysis of tilapia trait preference rankings among urban consumers in Zambia: Evidence to inform genetic improvement programs
(Journal Article, 2024-10-15) Murphy, Seamus; Cole, Steven; Kaminski, Alexander; Karisa, Harrison; Komugisha, Basiita Rose; McDougall, Cynthia; Kakwasha, Keagan; Mulilo, Tabitha; Rajaratnam, Surendran; Mekkawy, Wagdy
Zambia has experienced a rise in per capita fish supply in recent years due in part to growing domestic aquaculture production and expanding import markets that supply farmed Nile tilapia to mostly urban markets. While urban consumers enjoy a wide variety of local fish species, including wild-caught native tilapia, little is known regarding the consumer preferences for farmed tilapia traits. Understanding aquaculture consumer markets is needed, including more detailed evidence of differences in tilapia trait preferences between women and men of differing socioeconomic backgrounds. Such data may add value to current and future genetic improvement programs, inform the design of domestic production systems and aquaculture marketing campaigns, and improve the food and nutrition security potential of the sector. This study assessed consumer preference rankings of farmed tilapia traits in four major urban sites in Zambia in 2018. Women and men consumers of different socioeconomic status (SES) participated in the study (N = 313). Using a pairwise ranking method and multi-criteria survey tool, consumers made a choice between values of different morphometric traits: total body weight, length, width, and height, skin colour, and head and tail sizes. Men reported a stronger preference for traits that were ranked higher overall by the sample, including larger body weight (p < 0.001), darker skin colour (p < 0.05), and taller body height (p < 0.05). Women reported stronger preferences for traits that were ranked lower overall, including shorter body height (p < 0.01) and smaller body weight (p < 0.001). Controlling for several covariates believed to influence consumer trait preferences for farmed tilapia (e.g., SES, age, educational level, and household size), nonparametric regression analysis revealed strong consumer preferences by men for thicker body width (p < 0.05), larger body weight (p < 0.001), and taller body height (p < 0.05). Consumers of lower SES had a stronger preference for darker skin colour than consumers of middle SES (p < 0.05). These findings confirm existence of differences in consumer preferences for farmed tilapia traits in urban Zambia and should be considered in genetic improvement programs. Fish breeding thus should be more gender-responsive and pro-poor. Differences suggest limitations in genetic innovations to meet the needs of diverse consumer groups, requiring complementary production and marketing interventions within the aquaculture industry.
Sustainability of Aqua Feeds in Africa: A Narrative Review
(Journal Article, 2024-12-01) Ndebele-Murisa, Mzime; Mubaya, Chipo; Dekesa, Chipo Hazel; Samundengo, Angela; Kapute, Fanuel; Yossa, Rodrigue
In recent decades, the aquaculture industry has seen exponential growth worldwide, surpassing other food production sectors. This review aims to explore the dynamics of aqua feed production, particularly the shift from conventional to local feed production in Africa, driven by cost-effectiveness and the availability of raw materials. This review examines various scientific publications on aqua feed, focusing on both conventional and novel feed formulations and their impact on both small-scale and large-scale aquaculture. Commonly used aqua feed ingredients among African farmers include cassava, maize gluten, groundnut oilcake, sunflower oilcake, soybean meal, kale, peas, garlic, shrimp wastes, and waste blood. Novel ingredients such as insect-based diets, micro-algae, and fish discard formulations are also explored. Aqua feed composition impacts aqua waste, water quality, algae, oxygen demand, fish mortality, and eutrophication, and findings from literature reiterate the need to reorient feed formulation methods and ingredients to achieve a circular economy in Africa. This will entail promoting increased fish production at minimal costs and creating employment while supporting climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Ultimately, the aqua feed sector has the potential to grow sustainably through the adoption of feed alternatives that prioritize sustainable production and encourage beneficiation studies
Spatial and temporal variability of phytoplankton dynamics in-relation to essential oceanographic variables in the south east coast of Bangladesh
(Journal Article, 2023-10-01) Sarker, Subrata; Riya, Shashowti; Rahman, Mohammad; Huda, A. N. M. Samiul; Hossain, Md. Shahadat; Das, Nabanita
Phytoplankton form the base of food chain and play a key role in maintaining the global climate system. However, very limited knowledge is available about the phytoplankton ecology of Bangladesh coast which is a representation of sub-tropical coastal ecosystem. Thus, this study aimed to understand the spatial and temporal variability of phytoplankton community in-relation to environmental variables in the South East coast of Bangladesh. Monthly data on essential oceanographic variables (i.e. temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, silicate, nitrate and phosphate) and phytoplankton species abundance were collected from January 2022 to December 2022. We found a strong spatial and temporal variability in essential oceanographic variables and phytoplankton community compositions in Naf – Saint Martin Peninsula of Bangladesh. Estuarine ecosystem is characterized by high nutrients and low salinity while offshore ecosystem was found with comparatively low nutrients and high salinity. About 154 phytoplankton species were identified from the study area through year round sampling events. In the estuarine ecosystem Skeletonema marino, Coscinodiscus centralis, Coscinodiscus argus and Coscinodiscus traducens were found as the major contributing species at the estuarine ecosystem while Chaetoceros radican, Tripos trichoceros, Cylindrotheca Closterium, Chaetoceros convulutus, Tripos muelleri, and Cyclotella striata were found as the major contributing species at the offshore ecosystem. Our study found that 6 explanatory variables (i.e. temperature, salinity, turbidity, silicate, nitrate and phosphate) jointly explained about 78% variability in phytoplankton community dynamics. Nitrate concentration explained maximum variability (19%) followed by phosphate (17%), salinity (15%), silicate (12%), turbidity (10%) and surface temperature (5%). This study will play a key role in understanding the spatial and temporal variability of phytoplankton dynamics in the sub-tropical coastal ecosystem.

Browse

Recent Submissions