Small-scale Aquaculture Research Articles

Sustainability impacts of ecosystem approaches to small-scale aquaculture in Bangladesh

This study explores the sustainability impacts of adopting an ecosystem approach in underutilized homestead ponds (ecoponds) operated by women in Bangladesh. Households with ecoponds have significantly higher fish productivity, fish diversity, and income generation potential compared to households with similar underutilized ponds. Furthermore, certain dimensions of women’s empowerment are improved at the individual and household level (e.g., control of income and productive assets), without, however, addressing wider structural inequalities. Food security impacts are rather inconclusive, as despite the higher consumption of more diverse fish species among ecopond households, there is no significant effect on overall dietary diversity.

The impact of sustainable aquaculture technologies on the welfare of small-scale fish farming households in Myanmar

This study analyzed the determinants and potential impacts of the adoption of sustainable aquaculture (SA) technologies on the welfare of small-scale aquaculture (SSA) households in Myanmar using an endogenous switching regression model. Welfare is measured by fish productivity and fish income per cycle and Household Dietary Diversity Score. Our analysis revealed that distance to the sale-point, membership in farmers’ organizations, awareness of pond maintenance benefits, access to information through private extension services, and location were the main drivers behind adopting SA technologies. Results showed that adopting SA technologies increases welfare outcomes of SSA households; however, the non-adopters stand to benefit the most in terms of an increase in welfare outcomes if they adopt the technologies. Our research findings suggested that policies targeted at raising SSA households’ income and dietary diversity can be realized through interventions to raise farmer’s awareness, adoption, and technical know-how about the SA technologies.

Cost-benefit analysis for small-scale aquaculture production systems: A case of South West Region of Cameroon, Africa

Food is necessary for good health as well as the social and political stability of the society. Fish food provides essential nourishment especially proteins of high biological values. It is highly nutritious, tasty and easily digestive. Enterprise budgeting and descriptive statistics were used to estimate the value of smallholder aquaculture systems on a census population using a semi-structured questionnaire in the South West Region of Cameroon, Africa. It was established that aquaculture is a marginal activity in the region with less than 41 active farmers. 100% of the famers were male with 84.4% above 45 years and 71.9% of them had more than primary level education. The farmers produce only Tilapia (34 tons) and Catfish (49 tons) mainly in small sized pond with statistical mode of 25 m2. All the aquaculture productive systems, extensive, semi-intensive and intensive systems were profitable and significantly different from zero (P <0.01). The variable costs of all the systems were more than 50% to total cost indicating little investment in modern technologies, rendering them traditional. The farmers, therefore, had potentials to increase productivity with targeted training and increase accessibility to fingerlings. However, it was concluded that since aquaculture is profitable, an enabling policy is necessary to increase participation of farmers especially women and youth in order to empower them economically. Key words: Aquaculture, production systems, cost benefit analysis, Cameroon.

Productivity improvement to sustain small-scale fish production in developing countries: The case of Bhutan

Would productivity improvement in small-scale aquaculture “kill two birds with one stone” by simultaneously reducing the tendency to exit production and increasing output? While resource limitations restrict smallholders' involvement in aquaculture, their exit from production is among the factors threatening the sustainability of the aquaculture industry in developing countries. Against this backdrop, the productivity of small-scale aquaculture producers and the ways in which productivity improvement influences their behavior remains insufficiently understood. Based on survey data of 202 fish farmers in Bhutan, this study examined how productivity improvement impacts likelihood of exiting small-scale fish production. Data envelopment analysis was used to compute a slacks-based measure of efficiency as an estimate of productivity. The effect of the resultant estimate of productivity on likelihood of exiting fish production was examined using regression analysis. Results showed that a 10-percentage point increase in productivity among small-scale fish farmers in Bhutan reduced the likelihood of them exiting fish production by 2 percentage points. It is likely that surplus output from productivity improvement and the resultant revenue in the lucrative domestic market motivate Bhutanese farmers to continue fish production. We also found that Bhutan's current aggregate output of farmed fish could be increased by 63% by enabling farmers to produce more efficiently using existing pond sizes and production technologies. Further, it became clear that while subsistence-oriented fish farmers in Bhutan are likely to transition to commercial production, the use of non-cash inputs may be a deterrent. Our findings suggest that productivity improvement has substantial potential to be employed as a policy instrument to reduce the likelihood of farmers exiting small-scale aquaculture and simultaneously increase the aggregate output of farmed fish.

Technical efficiency of small-scale aquaculture in Myanmar: Does women’s participation in decision-making matter?

Efficient use of inputs is crucial for sustainable aquaculture productivity growth, increased profitability, and improved livelihoods in developing countries. Studies have shown that women’s participation in decision-making (WPDM) can influence technical efficiency among agricultural crops farmers. However, rigorous empirical evidence in small-scale aquaculture is inadequate. Using data from 440 small-scale aquaculture households in the Ayeyarwady Delta region of Myanmar, this study: (a) measures technical efficiency using radial, non-radial and two-stage double bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA); and (b) examines the effect of WPDM on technical efficiency. Results reveal that most households perform 45–60% below the production frontier indicating they are not technically efficient. WPDM correlates with a significant increase in technical efficiency suggesting that women’s empowerment contributes to optimal use of inputs and improved on-farm aquaculture performance. Practicing polyculture and implementing climate change adaptation strategies correlate with enhanced efficiency. Practicing polyculture with compatible fish species allows advantageous interactions and coexistence which improve inputs utilization and reduce wastes. Judicious use of inputs as a strategy for addressing climatic shocks possibly explains the positive correlation between adaptation and technical efficiency. Together, the findings highlight the important need to promote interventions targeted at improving technical efficiency of small-scale aquaculture producers. Improving technical efficiency can reduce production costs, increase net farm income, and provide a sustainable supply of nutritious foods, a source of essential micronutrients such as vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, and affordable animal-source protein. Programs and policies aimed at increasing aquaculture productivity would benefit by including interventions to reduce gender inequality and promoting equity.

Prospects for Small-Scale Aquaculture in Chile: User Rights and Locations

AbstractChile’s extended allocation of marine user rights aims to reduce overextraction of marine resources. New user rights promote small-scale aquaculture both to increase coastal incomes and to ...

The Afghanistan aquaculture and fishery sectors - A foresight outlooks

Aquaculture systems and technologies are growing industries in many countries with high environmental and socio-economic advantages. Afghanistan, a landlocked country in South Asia with diverse geographic and ecological features, reported the lowest fish consumption rate (just above 2 kg per capita). After conflicts and instability in Afghanistan, aquaculture and fisheries sectors revived slowly, followed by a rapid production and demand increase in the last four years. However, Afghanistan can demonstrate with a long history of fishery and agriculture productions in the past, but the post-conflict and stability efforts are minimal. Therefore, Afghanistan's aquaculture and fisheries sectors are conventional and require more effort to study and propose viable solutions aligned with today’s technological and sustainability requirements. Adequate and historically documented information about Afghanistan's aquaculture and fisheries activities are pretty limited. This study covers previous aquaculture initiatives, establishes a thematic review of the current situation based on little available information, and follows by a foresight outlook of the future trends. Besides, it presents the essential factors associated with production-efficient aquaculture and fishery systems in light of economic and production performance indicators. These indicators are briefly discussed that contribute to system planners and practitioners in decision-making and optimizing economic and operational efficiencies. Besides of studying Afghanistan aquaculture and fishery sectors, the basic criteria for successful small scale aquaculture are also presented that can be counted as one of the recent compositions of the subject in terms of scholarly managed information within an exhaustive insight.

Annual CO2 and CH4 fluxes in coastal earthen ponds with Litopenaeus vannamei in southeastern China

Small-scale aquaculture operation is being increasing practised around the world, particularly in the developing countries, but the greenhouse gas (GHG) dynamics and fluxes from small aquaculture ponds are still poorly assessed. In this study, the dissolved concentrations and fluxes of CO2 and CH4 were determined in three coastal earthen shrimp ponds over one whole year, covering both the farming and non-farming periods, in the Min River Estuary, southeastern China. Both ebullitive and diffusive CH4 fluxes were measured, which were rarely done in previous studies. The average concentrations of dissolved CO2 and CH4 in water column in the farming period varied between 18.1 ± 0.1 and 79.6 ± 1.1 μmol L−1, and 1.3 ± 0.1 and 55.9 ± 3.2 μmol L−1, respectively. When averaged across the whole year, the mean CO2 and CH4 fluxes from the ponds were − 18.4 ± 7.4 and 22.6 ± 6.9 mg m−2 h−1, respectively, suggesting that the shrimp ponds acted as a CO2 sink and a CH4 source. Based on the sustained-flux global warming potential (SGWP) and sustained-flux global cooling potential (SGCP) models, the annual warming potential was estimated to be 7.1 × 103 g CO2-eq m−2 yr−1, with approximately 90% of this arising from the farming period. Ebullition was the dominant emission pathway for CH4, accounting for over 90% of the total CH4 emission during the farming period. This full-year study improves our understanding of carbon cycling in coastal aquaculture ponds and provides a scientific basis for updating the GHG inventories.

Potensi Pengembangan Budidaya Pada Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Datok Bandar Kabupaten Lingga

The development of aquaculture in the Marine Protected Area (KKP) has to recognize the sustainability and the balancing of the ecosystem in that area. It causes limited rights of users who want to develop their business, where the issuance of permits and business management regulations is an obligation that must be followed by aquaculture business developers in the KKP area. The study aimed was to formulate the technical directions in developing the potential for aquaculture business in the Marine Protected Area of Datok Bandar (KKPD) at Lingga Regency. The method used in this research is a descriptive quantitative using analysis of the carrying capacity of the environment for aquaculture, water quality parameters, and a participatory approach. The results showed that the potential area to be developed for aquaculture was 3,736.01 ha. However, based on the carrying capacity analysis, only 268,420 ha or 7.2% from the existing potential can be utilized for aquaculture. Furthermore, based on the water quality measurements for aquaculture, the KKPD area was divided into 3 designations groups of aquaculture areas, namely the KJT, KJA, and seaweed. The number of aquaculture business units that were allowed in this area was 16,776 units consisting of 10,066 small business units and 6,710 medium business units with 7 types of superior fish. The limitation of land area and some business units in conservation areas were important to ensure the sustainability of the environment in the future. The implication of this research could be used as a basis for issuing aquaculture business permits, and to ensure that small-scale aquaculture fishermen have a large proportion. In addition to ensuring the existence of local communities who were generally small farmers, conservation areas were very vulnerable to environmental changes, so the risk factors and impacts of business utilization were important to consider.

Profitability, income inequality, and subjective well-being of mariculture households in China

Mariculture has a profound potential to sustainably meet the escalating demands for food and livelihoods. However, the socioeconomic impacts of small-scale aquaculture (SSA) are poorly understood, particularly for marine SSA in China, a leading global producer of aquaculture products. Using detailed household surveys, we comprehensively evaluated profitability, income inequality, and subjective well-being of marine SSA households in a representative coastal city in Southeastern China. Our results show that mariculture practices increased income but exacerbated income inequality in animal mariculture households (AMHs) and seaweed mariculture households (SMHs). Earnings from AMHs (544 549 yuan) were four times higher than those of SMHs (141 172 yuan) although AMHs were twice as likely to make a loss (27.4% versus 12.5%). Natural capital (11.37%) and the cultured variety (12.40%) were the main contributors to mariculture income inequality for AMHs, while manufactured capital (27.59%) and previous mariculture experience (8.59%) were significant for SMHs. The well-being of AMHs was better than that of SMHs. Our results suggest that secure access to sea areas, provision of financial options to mariculture smallholders, as well as diversification in mariculture type and variety could promote the socioeconomic sustainability of mariculture development.

What are the challenges and opportunities in implementing Taiwan's aquavoltaics policy? A roadmap for achieving symbiosis between small-scale aquaculture and photovoltaics

The Taiwan government has initiated multiple renewable energy development projects in recent years, one of which involved the use of photovoltaics (PVs) as a source of renewable energy. Given the limited land resources in Taiwan, the government introduced an aquavoltaics policy that was aimed at slowing the reduction in aquaculture production and increasing non-farming production benefits for small-scale aquaculture farmers without compromising the country's industrial development. However, when this policy took effect, landowners began exploiting fishpond areas, which adversely impacted fishpond prices and preyed on farmers, tenants, and the environment, in addition to affecting the sustainable development of aquaculture. To meet the research purpose, this study explores, assesses, and analyses the effects of the aquavoltaics policy on Taiwan's aquaculture industry. The results show that different stakeholders had dissimilar views on the aquavoltaics policy. The research findings are expected to expedite the integration of different opinions with the implementation of renewable energy policies. The government sector should also effectively communicate the aquavoltaics policy to various stakeholders and help them to adopt the policy to reduce operational risks for aquaculture farmers and simultaneously facilitate the sustainable development of aquaculture and thereby make Taiwan's small-scale aquaculture farming system a model of energy transition.

Constraints hindering small scale aquaculture production in southern Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a great potential for small scale aquaculture development. However, the overall fish production in the country is very low due to several constraints. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify major constraints affecting the development of small scale aquaculture production and forward possible intervention for further research, extension work and policy makers. For this purpose, questionnaire survey and visual observation were used to collect primary data. A total of 300 fish farming households having artificial fish pond were purposively selected. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The study showed that five major constraints hindering the development and the promotion of aquaculture production were identified. The most serious constraint was the absence of aquaculture technologies (as reported by 72.7–85% of the total respondents) followed by shortage of sustainable quality fish seeds and feeds supply (as reported by 60–80% of the total respondents), while low Nile tilapia yield (as reported by 32.5–34.5% of the total respondents) was the least constraint across and within the two studied areas. The rank and the trend of the constraints across the two areas were the same, while it was different among different agro-ecologies. In conclusion, the first two identified aquaculture production constraints, i.e. applicable technology transfer gap and shortage of sustainable quality fish seeds and feeds supply, were taken the most serious problems affecting the development of aquaculture in the study areas and beyond. Thus different stakeholders should be integrated to work on the adoption of appropriate aquaculture technologies and production of quality fish seeds and feeds.

Opportunities and challenges for small-scale aquaculture: The stakeholders’ perspective in Los Lagos Region-Chile

We identify and explore the potential opportunities and challenges for promoting and expanding small-scale aquaculture (SSA) as an additional income-generating activity for coastal communities in southern Chile. Based on a conceptual model of SSA adoption decisions, we conducted field key informant semistructured interviews with stakeholders in the Los Lagos region and in the regional capital city, Puerto Montt. We conducted a qualitative analysis of the interviews to identify potential resource users’ perceptions of current SSA opportunities. Interpreting the content analysis results through the lens of economic decisions in the conceptual model, we find that weak monitoring and enforcement, difficulties in adapting to new jobs, limited recent spatial planning, constraints on access to marine user rights, and insufficient market development for marine products are among the main obstacles to the adoption of SSA. The stakeholders view SSA as an opportunity to expand marine-based productive activities under the continuous decline in wild fisheries. SSA adoption is perceived as a gradual transition process that requires cultural capital and knowledge, given the lack of familiarity with management and the legal and economic aspects of aquaculture. In contrast to the concerns of potential SSA adopters, government stakeholders emphasize concern over the lack of definitions for SSA, norms, and regulations. We discuss how public policy to promote SSA in Chile could target the key concerns of potential SSA adopters.

Willingness to adopt aquaculture as an alternative livelihood option - a case study of the fishers and livestock farmers of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Nigerian farmers have limited options for livelihood, despite the abundant resources available. A case study of Nigeria's Adamawa State was done by evaluating the perception of fishing and livestock farming communities on aquaculture. Data were obtained from 324 households, employing a multi-stage cluster sampling procedure and a semi-structured questionnaire. A binary logit regression model was applied to examine the influence of socio-economic, technical, and institutional factors on the choice of aquaculture as an alternative livelihood option. The results revealed that approximately 67% and 90% of the artisanal fisherfolks and livestock farmers were willing to adopt aquaculture as an alternative livelihood option, while age, occupation, fishing experience, education level, and perception of fish demand were the significant influencing factors. Encouraging the formally educated, young artisanal fisherfolks to engage in small scale aquaculture will enhance the food and nutritional security of a rapidly growing population in Nigeria.

Shedding a Light on the Human Rights of Small-scale Fisherfolk: Complementarities and Contrasts between the UN Declaration on Peasants’ Rights and the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines

The UN Declaration on Peasants’ Rights (UNDROP) underscores the need for a coherent interpretation and application of existing international human rights to the specific context of small-scale fisheries (SSF), including small-scale marine and continental capture fishing, small-scale aquaculture, related preparatory works and cultural practices. It complements the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication (SSF Guidelines), which were the first international instrument entirely dedicated to SSF. The two instruments originate from forums that frame issues and respective responses differently, involving individuals and specialised international bodies with distinct interests and areas of expertise (human rights and fisheries, respectively), and having garnered differing levels of intergovernmental support. The two instruments thus offer their own particular perspectives on how international law currently relates to the challenges and contributions of SSF. Against this backdrop, this Chapter will analyse and compare the contributions of the UNDROP and the SSF Guidelines to the recognition, protection, respect and full realisation of the human rights of peasants involved in SSF and to the sustainable use of natural resources in SSF, with a view to supporting the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fishing and Rural Livelihood: A Philippine Context

The Municipality of Lake Sebu in Mindanao, Philippines offers various opportunities for income-generating fishing activities with its abundant surface water bodies. Lake Sebu is particularly known for good quality tilapia, farmed in fish cages. This study employed primary data collection methods, namely key informant interview, focus group discussion and a comprehensive livelihood household survey to assess the conditions and problems constraining fishing households in Lake Sebu. The study found that fishing-related benefits were mainly derived from aquaculture. Capture fisheries are essentially very small-scale, low gear open fishing done by local fisher folk that generates only subsistence income. Local residents are mostly engaged in retail fish trading that likewise generate only subsistence income. Survey results also revealed large variations in the scale of aquaculture operations. Fish cage owners, who are not originally from Lake Sebu or have residences outside Lake Sebu, are usually the large-scale fish farm operators, while the locals are only engaged in small-scale aquaculture due to limited financial sources. The study found that on the average, fishing-dependent households earned an annual income of PHP 132,800 (US&#36 2619), which was 15% lower than the average for all household respondents, and that a substantial 63% of fishing-dependent households live below the poverty line. It appears, therefore, that the rich water resources in the municipality have not contributed substantially to poverty alleviation. These findings point to the need for government assistance such as aquaculture financing programs and the formation of fish farming cooperatives to enable locals to engage in large-scale fish farming and reap the benefits of economies of scale.

Innovation and Knowledge Exchange in Small-Scale Fishery and Aquaculture Sectors: Innovation Brokerage to Shape New Marketing Strategies and Practices

Participatory approaches can play a pivotal role in the fishery sector to stimulate innovation and knowledge exchange among stakeholders and orientation of policy decision making. Starting from these premises, this paper presents a multiple case study based on a EU funded project (namely, ARIEL project, under the egis of the INTERREG VB ADRION Programme 2014–2020) and aimed at promoting technological and non-technological solutions for innovation of small–scale fisheries and aquaculture in some countries of the Adriatic-Ionian Region. Some innovation brokerage events were organized in the first month of 2019, to boost a dialogue between regional stakeholders involved in the fishery sector. This research provides the content analysis of the outcome of the events in order to identify national peculiarities and transnational common points. Implications for marketing strategies and practices are then summarized.

Improving the quality of aquafeed for an effective food security in small scale African aquaculture

African aquaculture production is growing rapidly compared to world statistics, but it is still not able to fully exploit its potential. Most aquaculture production in Africa is carried out on small-scale aquaculture farms to meet the current demand for aquatic animal products and contribute to the continent's food security. Among the constraints to aquaculture development in Africa, food-related issues are prominent. In this context, both the cost of feed and its quality and nutritional value are concerns for small-scale fish farmers, which leads them to produce their own feed from agricultural by-products. This feed powder has several physical and nutritional disadvantages for fish, which has an impact on aquaculture production, nutritional quality and fish growth time, hence the need to improve the quality of this feed to enhance aquaculture production and contribute to food security in the continent, through the organization of training courses for fish farmers, the formation of cooperatives and the contribution of African research centre and universities to the evaluation of local agricultural by-products used, to contribute to the sustainability of aquaculture in Africa.

Uneven adoption of tilapia aquaculture in rural Solomon Islands

Across many Pacific Island Countries, food insecurity and malnutrition are on the rise. In response, governments, development agencies, and non-governmental organisations are promoting small-scale aquaculture as a complement to fish supplied through coastal fisheries. While small-scale aquaculture has been widely adopted in parts of Asia and Africa, its adoption in rural Pacific Island communities remains relatively low. In this paper, we draw on Diffusion of Innovation theory and apply a classification tree analysis to model the influence of farmers’ socio-economic attributes, communication channels, and attributes of the innovation, on the adoption of tilapia aquaculture. We compare 40 tilapia aquaculture adopters with 40 non-adopters in rural Solomon Islands. Our results show that farmers’ socio-economic attributes have the highest influence on tilapia aquaculture adoption. Tilapia aquaculture adopters were older, male, less subsistence-oriented, and had lower material styles of life than non-adopters. Information regarding tilapia aquaculture was most shared through informal channels, including relatives and word-of-mouth, compared with formal sources (e.g. fisheries extension officers, expert farmers, pamphlets, and posters). Lastly, while tilapia aquaculture was seen as compatible with socio-cultural norms and livelihood demands, its relative advantage and observability in comparison with other livelihood activities were perceived as low. Overall, this study suggests that tilapia aquaculture (and associated benefits) is not reaching the poorest and vulnerable groups (e.g. women or subsistence-oriented households) in rural Solomon Islands. These findings point to a need for in-depth understanding of socio-economic attributes of farmers, thus ensures strategies to support marginalised groups to participate in and benefit from tilapia aquaculture. The study also highlights the need to better utilise informal and locally appropriate communication channels to effectively support the spread of tilapia aquaculture in rural Pacific Islands contexts. Ultimately, this research can inform small-scale aquaculture development policies of the Government of Solomon Islands, and other Pacific Island Countries, to support the sector in contributing to rural food and nutritional security.

Trace metals and nutrients in lake sediments in the Province of Bali, Indonesia: a baseline assessment linking potential sources

Bali, Indonesia, receives over 6 million tourists annually, placing demand on resources and infrastructure that competes with expectations of natural beauty. Strongly linked to tourism are highly productive small-scale crafts industries and intensive small-scale agriculture and aquaculture production. Concentrations of nutrients, trace metals and metalloids were determined in soils from various land uses and solid-waste containment areas associated with small-scale industries, along with sediments from Lake Beratan, Lake Tamblingan, Lake Buyan, Lake Batur and the Badung River estuary. Soil associated with laboratory waste storage, and some sediments, exceeded guideline values for mercury or copper. Concentrations of other metals in soils and sediments were consistently below guidelines values, except zinc in solid waste collected from batik production (i.e. fabric-dyeing operations). Waste from batik production contained elevated concentrations of trace metals and nutrients (phosphorus and potassium), but replicates were highly variable. Lake sediments were enriched with phosphorus and nitrogen, likely from agricultural runoff. This important baseline information highlights the value of lake-protection measures in place, identifies risks to environmental health and provides focus for improving the management of contaminant sources to prevent further impacts.