Aquaculture is key to meet increasing food demand: FAO

Aquaculture is key to meet increasing food demand: FAO
Global consumption of fish has increased by 122 per cent since 1990 and aquaculture now accounts for more than 50 per cent of current fish consumption

Shanghai/Rome – Aquaculture is playing a critical role in global food production, but innovation and equity are required to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, said recently at the Global Conference on Aquaculture Millenium+20 in Shanghai.

The Director-General highlighted aquaculture as the fastest growing agri-food sector globally saying there is huge potential for further expansion in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean region.

“Aquaculture production will continue to grow, but the benefits of this growth must be equitable and fairly distributed,” Qu stressed, while noting the need to further develop “the human, social, cultural and economic dimensions of aquaculture”.

The conference, which adopted the theme “Aquaculture for Food and Sustainable Development”, is the fourth to be held and is organised by FAO and China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA).

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand who is FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for Zero Hunger for Asia and the Pacific, was the Guest of Honour at the two-day event with representatives from the private and public sectors, academia and civil society.

Aquaculture is vital for feeding the world’s expanding population and the conference was considering a range of issues and opportunities ranging from traditional family farming in vulnerable communities to cutting-edge technology. The themes were discussed at the conference include; innovation, genetic resources, biosecurity, the social and human dimension, value chains and market access.

Global consumption of fish has increased by 122 per cent since 1990 and aquaculture now accounts for more than 50 per cent of current fish consumption. That figure is expected to rise above 60 per cent during the next decade. However, the impacts of the climate crisis and disruption to production and consumption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have created challenges on the rate of growth and expansion of the sector.

FAO’s work

Qu stressed aquaculture plays an important role in FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2022-2031 through its Blue Transformation priority programme, with the objective of supporting 35 to 40 per cent growth in global aquaculture by 2030.

“FAO’s Strategic Framework is based on the principles of the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all – leaving no one behind,” he said.  “The Shanghai Declaration is a call for global action.”

FAO recognises the contribution of aquaculture to food security, by providing technical assistance through the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

A key instrument that has been guiding the principles for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture around the world since 1995, the Code seeks to develop and implement efficient policies and legal frameworks which promote sustainable and equitable aquaculture development, especially in developing countries, with improved socio-economic benefits.

FAO conducts a global review of the state of aquaculture, and on the request of its members, it is also developing Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture (GSA) to provide practical guidance for government authorities and policymakers in their efforts to promote the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and advance their capacity in the development of sustainable aquaculture sectors.

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The UN organisation has also developed innovative projects to promote aquaculture. For example, FAO has partnered with the United Arab Emirates to develop the country’s fledgling aquaculture industry. With technical support from FAO, the UAE is investing in modern technologies to build sustainable and profitable aquaculture production that will maintain the country’s fish supply, improve its food security and transform its agri-food system.

In response to climate shocks and extreme weather events, FAO is working to support livelihoods and increase resilience by rebuilding the prawn industry in Dominica and elsewhere through its Climate Change Adaptation of the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries (CC4FISH) project.

The Global Conference

The FAO Director-General said aqua-culture could also play a key role in FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative to accelerate agri-food systems transformation.  Through the Global Sustainable Aquaculture Advancement Partnership, FAO is also collaborating with the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences.

Qu told the conference: “Aquaculture already plays an important role in “Leaving no one behind” which means all our efforts and actions must focus on everyone everywhere, in order to end hunger and poverty.”

The sector needs to adopt a “holistic” approach with a focus on people and communities, specifically on the women, youth, elderly and indigenous communities who rely on aquaculture for their livelihoods, he said.

The Global Conference also heard opening addresses from Tang Renjian, China’s Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Frank K. Tumwebaze, the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of the Republic of Uganda; Úrsula Desilú León Chempén, Vice Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Production of the Republic of Peru; Virginijus Sinkevičius, the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries; Huang Jie, Director-General of NACA and Peng Chenlei, Vice-Mayor of Shanghai.

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