International research organisation, WorldFish Center, has produced a report with the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies revealing evidence of aquaculture''s link to poverty reduction.
The report analyses changes in fish consumption in Bangladesh between 2000 and 2010 and demonstrates that growth in aquaculture has led to greater fish consumption among the poorest consumers in Bangladesh. Aquaculture in the country now accounts for 53% of reported fish production in the country. In 2011, the value of aquaculture products there amounted to $3.37bn.
Stephen Hall, director general, WorldFish, said: “Sustainable aquaculture has long been acknowledged as an important tool in the fight against global hunger. As evidence consistently proves this point, there will be greater incentive for investment in the sector while at the same time supporting the development of sustainable wild capture fisheries.”
The paper also observes that while aquaculture has reduced prices and increased availability of fish, wild capture fish supply has diminished. Given that more than 70% of rural households rely to some extent on wild capture, this is an important factor. The authors said that if it had been possible to slow the decline in capture fisheries in parallel to increased aquaculture production, the pro-poor impact would have been more pronounced. While increases in aquaculture production have been sufficient to offset any loss, they conclude that policies are needed that support both sectors in parallel.
‘Is Aquaculture Pro-Poor? Empirical Evidence of Impacts on Fish Consumption in Bangladesh’ is co-authored by Kazi Ali Toufique of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies and Ben Belton of WorldFish, is published in the academic journal World Development.
