FAO Regional Technical Expert Workshop on aquatic biodiversity, its nutritional composition, and human consumption in rice-based systems

Abstract

The FAO Regional Technical Expert Workshop on aquatic biodiversity, its nutrient composition, and human consumption in rice-based systems was convened at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand, 8–10 December 2004. The aim of the meeting was to bring nutritionists, fishery resource managers and development agencies together to discuss the various aspects of aquatic biodiversity and nutrition in rice-based farming with a view to establishing baseline information, identifying information gaps, and ultimately formulating recommendations for integrated development activities. The meeting concluded that the available information on composition of aquatic species and their consumption is limited, and sometimes inadequate. Local information sources on composition and consumption need to be identified and incorporated into current rice-based ecosystem biodiversity databases. The use of existing networks for information exchange and strategic partnerships was emphasized. Household consumption studies linking aquatic biodiversity from rice-based ecosystems and nutrition need to be done in the region. Methods need to improve, however, and a step-wise combination of techniques appears to be the most promising approach. It is necessary to develop aquatic resource profiles to guide the selection of key species which must be linked to specific seasons and habitats. Financial resources need to be identified and strategic partnerships made to plan and implement studies that will advance our knowledge on aquatic biodiversity in rice-based ecosystems, the way it is used by rural people, and its impact on their nutrition. The Workshop was attended by 25 participants including regional participants (Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam), resource persons (Mekong River Commission (MRC), WorldWide Fund for Nature (WWF), Institute of Aquaculture—Stirling University, European Union), the FAO Technical Secretariat and support staff. In the section that follows this report are the abstracts of presentations given during the Workshop.