Fisheries development aims at achieving the full potential of the sector through growth and improvement. It involves the expansion of fishing effort, improvement in post-harvest technology, marketing and transportation of fishery products and the provision of infrastructure and other related facilities.
Definition of Fisheries Development
Fishery development is a process towards achieving the full potential of the sector through growth and improvement.
Fishery development is also defined to include the expansion of fishing effort, improvement in post-harvest technology, marketing and transportation of fishery products as well as the provision of infrastructure and other related facilities.
In fisheries, development may be defined as a process of change through which sustainable and equitable improvements are made to the quality of life for most or all members of the society (Bailey and Jentoft, 1990).
A fishery is being developed if:
The biomass is being reduced by fishing, rebuilt after depletion or enhanced to increase its productivity.
The quality of the catch or its value improves, not necessarily increasing the harvest.
Under an ecosystem approach to fisheries, development may be achieved through the reduction of the negative environmental impact and/or increasing resilience of the system to unexpected change, meeting broader societal objectives.
Examples of fisheries development interventions include fish subsidy, fuel subsidy, motorisation, credit, marketing infrastructure, improved post-harvest technology, promotion of cooperatives
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Goals of Sustainable Fisheries Development
The need for sustainability implies that improvements should be achieved without risk to the long term stability of the ecosystem.
The World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainable development is also defined as the management and conservation of the natural resource base and the orientation of technological and institutional change in a way and manner to ensure the attainment and continued satisfaction of human needs for present and future generations.
Such development conserves land, water, plant and genetic resources, is environmentally non-degrading, technologically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable (FAO Committee on Fisheries, 1991).
The goals of sustainable fisheries development are:
To improve the welfare of stakeholders directly or indirectly in the fisheries sector as well as the national productive system.
To establish a more sustainable and optimal use of the available fisheries resources (FAO, 2013).
Major Issues in Fisheries Development
Neiland et al., (2002) identified four key issues in the management and sustainability of fisheries in inland waters;
- Environmental change
- Exogenous factors
- Fisheries management and
- Fisheries policy and implementation.
Environmental Changes and Exogenous Factors that Affect Water and Fisheries Development
The environmental changes that have been found to affect both water and fisheries development over the years include:
Droughts (e.g. in Lake Chad 1972/1974, early 80s).
Changes in water quality due to pollution from oil exploration, exploitation and transporting activities, mineral extraction, agricultural and deforestation activities, changing urban and rural land uses.
Dam construction across rivers, e.g. Kainji, Shiroro, Tiga, etc. The construction of dams has many controversial issues surrounding them such as flooding in some areas of a water body and drought or less water supply in others.
Withdrawal of water for irrigation. There are several irrigation projects which have direct and indirect effects on ground and surface waters.
The exogenous factors that affect fisheries include:
- Human population pressure
- Deforestation
- Poverty
- Demand for food.
Constraints to Sustainable Fisheries Development
There is inadequate knowledge of the fisheries resources and ecosystem based on low and weak scientific data to update laws, other relevant information and policies.
There are little or no interactions between the government and stakeholders. This leads to low stakeholder input in policy making and top-bottom approach is often used.
Low financial capability to meet specific needs. Minimal resources are invested in both fisheries management and development activities.
Low capacity to police coastal zone to enforce existing laws. There is lack of strong political will to enforce existing laws.
Many agricultural policies are not specific and may not include programmes or projects for accomplishing set goals.
There are often inconsistencies in policies and programmes of governments.
Inadequate technical and extension services
Lack of monitoring and evaluation of programmes or projects
Inadequate supply of inputs to the artisanal fishermen
Changing nature of seasonal streams, rivers, pools and poor management of water bodies lead to low productivity.
Methods of Achieving Sustainable Fisheries Development
Sustainable fisheries development can be achieved through responsible fishing. This involves rational fisheries management objectives that address issues like the status of the resource, the health of the environment, post-harvest technology, trade and other economic concerns, social benefits, legal and administrative support.
Caddy and Griffiths (1995) proposed the following to achieve responsible fisheries:
Regulation of fishing efforts by avoiding financial incentives that contributes to excess fishing capacity.
Establishment of code of conduct for responsible fishing to guide management plan
Establishment and support of regional/international fishery commissions and organizations to manage shared resources.
Regular consultation among harvesting countries.
Set agreed management objectives and related reference points, incorporating a precautionary approach.
Develop contingency plans.
Develop mechanisms for resolving user conflicts.
Protect biodiversity and environment.
Promote research.
Optimize social and economic stability
In summary, fisheries development is necessary but resources have to be used sustainably and responsibly.
Rational fisheries management objectives should address issues like the status of the resource, the health of the environment, post-harvest technology, trade and economic concerns, social benefits, legal and administrative support.
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