Fish farming is answer to increasing global meat demands, says report

Conservation International says aquaculture has lower environmental impact than cattle, pig and poultry farming

guardian.co.uk, Jonathan Watts, Asia environment correspondent, Tuesday 14 June 2011

Carp in a fish farm at Zabieniec, Poland. Photograph: Janek Skarzynski
/ AFP/Getty Images

The world needs to farm more fish and algae to meet the world's growing demand for animal products, according to a report released on Tuesday by international NGO Conservation International.

The worldwide assessment concluded the environmental impact of aquaculture is lower than raising cattle, pigs or poultry so it should be expanded to alleviate the growing global food crisis.

"Aquaculture is most likely to meet the growing demand for animal products with the least demand on ecosystems," said Sebastian Troëng of Conservation International. "It would be better still if more people became vegetarian, but that looks unlikely."

The report was co-written with the WorldFish Centre – which advocates sustainable aquaculture – as a response to the precipitous decline in word fish stocks.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that over 84% of the world's fisheries are either depleted, over- or fully exploited, which means that wild fish in oceans are too weak to meet the growing needs of an expanding, increasingly affluent global population.

Fish farming in ponds, lakes, rivers and coastal waters is increasingly used to fill the gap – it is overtake wild-caught fish produce this year – particularly in Asia. The world's most crowded continent accounts for 91% of aquacultural production with the vast majority – about two-thirds – in China. This trend is expected to continue.

"China, India and the rest of Asia with their growing middle classes are where we can expect demand for fish to rise most significantly," said co-author Mike Phillips, a senior scientist at WorldFish. "Current trends indicate that the majority of the increase in global production will come from south and south-east Asia, with a continued drive by major producersuch as China and Vietnam towards export to Europea and north America."

The report says fish farming can have environmental benefits if done sustainably. Fish process energy more efficiently than mammals such as cows and pigs because they are cold-blooded (so less calories are needed for warming themselves) and live in water (so relatively more of the body converts to muscle than bone). The authors say that for each kilogram of protein from beef, a cow needs to be fed the equivalent of 61kg of grain, for pork, a pig needs 38kg, but for fish it is just 13kg of grain.

In addition, says the report, aquaculture emits less phosophorous, nitrogen and greenhouse gases than livestock farms.

However, it warns farming can have a greater negative impact if it focuses on carnivorous fish such as eel and salmon, or on shrimps and prawns, which require more temperature control. There is a lower impact from herbivorous fish, or better still seaweed, mussels, oysters and molluscs.

Fish farms have also been blamed for pollution and genetic contamination of wild stocks.

The report says 73% of salmon, 90% of carp and 99% of seaweed consumed worldwide is produced with aquaculture. The authors predict worldwide production will rise from 52.6m tonnes in 2008 to between 79m and 110m tonnes by 2030. However, environmental constraints could slow growth in China due to shortages of land and water and increased competition for energy and feed.

To improve the industry, they suggest greater monitoring, technological innovation and policy support. Mass production of microalgae – which is thought to be approaching commercial stage – is thought to have enormous potential for efficiency gains because it could replace fish feed and fish oil.

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Maluku needs Rp 17.51t for marine resources management

The Jakarta Post, Antara, Ambon | Tue, 05/17/2011

The eastern Indonesian Province of Maluku until 2016 needs a total funds of Rp17.51 trillion for its local marine and fishery resources management program.

"Such an amount of funds is needed for the programs of capture fisheries development, fish cultivation, fish processing, post harvest, fishery resources conservation, and marine and fisheries research and technology," local maritime and fisheries office spokesman Bastian Mainassy said here on Tuesday.

He said that of the Rp17.51 trillion of funds, Rp5.43 billion would be allocated to capture fisheries, Rp4.49 trillion for fish and seaweed cultivation, Rp2.56 trillion for processing fish and seaweed processing factories and their facilities, Rp2.41 trillion for human resources development, and Rp2.61 trillion for for researches.

Bastian said the need of the funds had been conveyed to Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry to be accommodated in the state budget with the involvement of private companies.

"We have the potential for sustainable fish around 1.64 million tons per year or 26.3 percent of the national fish but only 300 to 500 tons have been used per year," he said.

Bastian said Maluku fish potential was also supported by fish cultivation areas of 495,300 hectares, fresh water fish cultivation area of 36,251 hectares, and swampy water cultivation area of 191,150 hectares.

Japan`s demand for Indonesia`sidat fish increases

Antara News, Sun, April 3 2011

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Japanese demand for young `sidat` (eel, anguilla) fish from Indonesia is increasing after the country was recently hit by an earthquake and its subsequent tsunmai, a ministry official said.

"The catching of sidat seeds in South Korea and Japan is being banned after the natural disaster while in Indonesia it is allowed," Ketut Sugama, director general for fishery affair, said here on Sunday.

He said that the need for Sidat fish in Unagi for example reached 600,000 tons while only 200,000 tons of these portion had been met.

The senior official of the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs made the remarks when attending the harvest season of `vaname` shrimps in Karawang`s Cultured Fish Production Center Project (BLUPPB), in West Java.

He said that the Japanese people liked this fish because they believed the fish could lengthen their ages, keep them at a young look and maintain their stamina.

Therefore, he said, in anticipation of the increase in the demand for the fish from Japan, his side is offering investors a cooperation to develop the fish production in Indonesia, particularly in the Karawang`s BLUPPB.

"We are opening a chance for investors to develop sidat fish breeding here but they should involved in partnership and transfer their technology to local businesses," he said.

In the meantime, head of the BLUPPB Supriyadi said a Japanese investor had now been ready to develop sidat fish in the government-owned integrated fish pond project.

He said that PT Nippon Maru was ready to run a three hectare sidat pond with an annual production target of 3,000 tons.

Of the 400 hectare fish ponds in the integrated fish breeding project, some 225 hectares are managed by the government and 152 hectares by plasm whose development later would be given to investors.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

Rp 950b targeted for Maluku fish export project

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 03/01/2011

The government is targeting to invest Rp 950 billion (US$108.3 million) in efforts to make Maluku province the world’s biggest seafood exporter by 2015.

Previously, the Maluku governor requested Rp 16 trillion for the purpose, but the amount was declined.

Up to Rp 120 billion will be channeled toward fish farming.

Fishing from the ocean dominated 2009’s fish production, Fadel said.

“This catching method will be changed to an industry more focused on farming,” he said.

The government is planning to build fish ports to support the export activity. Up to 12 areas in region are likely to be developed for this purpose, he said.

The government will allocate Rp 2 billion to build ports, but its plan will also need at least Rp 2 trillion in investment.

According to the government, Maluku has the potential to produce 1.6 million tons of fish a year.

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Bali`s ornamental fish exports up 9.9 pct

Antara News, Sunday, January 16, 2011

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - Bali province`s ornamental fish exports in the January-November 2010 period rose 9.99 percent to US$1.02 million from the same period the year before.

"The ornamental fish exports fell 0.22 percent by volume compared to the same period in the previous year when 785,202 heads of ornamental fish were shipped," Head of the Bali Provincial Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office Gusti Putu Nuriatha said here on Sunday.

The drop in the volume of ornamental fish exports was among others the result of unfavorable climate that caused difficulties to fishermen to catch ornamental fish, he said.

After all, the province still had a chance to increase ornamental fish exports in 2011 and the upcoming years, he said.

The ornamental fish was exported to Japan, the United States, Australia and Europe.

Ornamental fish is one of Bali`s 11 aquatic products which have so far penetrated the international market. The province earned US$107.15 million from aquatic product exports in the January-November 2010 period, a 13.28 percent increase compared to the same period the year before when the figure was US$94.59 million.

Gusti Nuriatha said the Bali waters was rich in a wide variety of ornamental fish. Fishermen catch the fish of high economic value near the province`s beaches using very simple instrument.

Shrimp farmers protest long-stalled refit program

Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandar lampung | Thu, 09/30/2010 9:37 AM

Hundreds of shrimp farmers staged a protest outside Lampung provincial administration Wednesday demanding an explanation for farm revitalization development that has not been completed on schedule.

The farmers, who are affiliated with the Windu Shrimp Plasma Farmers Association (PPPUW) of PT Aruna Wijaya Sakti (PT AWS), the company carrying out the project, disclosed that the joint venture agreement cited the revitalization project would be completed in 12 months ending May 2009.

However, the company requested the project be postponed until September 2009, but was still unable to meet the deadline.

PPPUW deputy leader Thowilun said the project had not shown progress since it was taken over by the company in July 2007.

He said the lack of progress has meant many shrimp farmers have not been able to earn a living since the ponds were not in operation while their debts had built up.

He said the farmers had initially welcomed the company that won the tender to carry out the project.

The company had then promised to revitalize the ponds owned by plasma farmers, including its supporting facilities. The move aimed at improving the welfare of farmers, employees and residents.

“However, PT AWS has never fulfilled its promises. Consequently, the shrimp farmers have become miserable,” Thowilun said.

“Now, each of us owe the company between Rp 80 million [US$9,000] and Rp 100 million. The debts will increase if the revitalization project is stalled and farmers cannot work.”

He said that during the management transfer to PT Central Proteinaprima (CP Prima), PT AWS’s parent company, thousands of plasma farmers had hoped for change.

“CP Prima had initially promised to revitalize 16 blocks of shrimp ponds in eight villages but failed

to deliver as only five blocks were completed.”

Thowilun said that farmers had expected an explanation from the company regarding on the revitalization program’s progress.

“When Maritime Affairs and Fishery Minister Fadel Muhammad visited Lampung three months ago, he even emphasized that PT AWS [and CP Prima] should stop operating there if they fail to complete the project,” he said.

During a hearing with a number of Lampung legislators and officials from the provincial administration, the farmers urged the legislature and governor to demand that PT AWS immediately complete the project.

“If necessary, the administration should take over PT AWS and replace it with other companies that have good intentions to improve people’s lives,” said legislator Syukri.

“We demand every debt burdened on farmers due to the delay be fully covered by PY AWS, as the core company,” he added.

Responding to the protest, CP Prima spokesman George Basuki denied the revitalization program had stalled. “So far, the program is still running on schedule,” he said.

Basuki also denied the delayed distribution of shrimp fry. He said the delay only took place in January due to the rainy season.

In response to the revitalization program, Basuki said the company management remained committed to complete it on schedule.

RI, A`lia agree to develop tuna farming

Antara News, Monday, May 17, 2010 20:58 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Australia have agreed to cooperate in developing tuna farming in Bali province, Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad said.

"Australia has agreed to provide US$10 million in funds to develop tuna farming including offshore tuna farming in Indonesia," Fadel said after a meeting between the Indonesian Maritime Council and the House of Representatives` Commission IV here on Monday.

The project would be carried out in Bali, he said.

The Australian funds would also be used for marine researches in Indonesia, he said.

He said there had been proposal to take advantage of around 360 used oil rigs in the Indonesian waters for fish farming.

"I think it is good idea to take advantage of the used oil rigs for deep sea fish farming or offshore port. But we still have to study the possibility of using them," he said.He said his office would discuss the matter with relevant agencies.

"The cost of dismantling the used oil rigs is large or about the same as the cost of producing new oil rigs. I will also report the possibility of using the used oil rigs for fish farming to the President," he said.

Officer: I Saw Susno Take the Bribe Over Fish Farm

Jakarta Globe, Farouk Arnaz, May 09, 2010

Susno Duadji arriving at National Police headquarters in this file photo.
(JG Photo/Safir Makki)

A middle-ranking police officer said on Sunday he witnessed former National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji take a bribe from suspected major case broker Sjahril Djohan in December 2008.

“I saw it,” former narcotics detective Adj. Sr. Comr. Syamsurizal Mokoagouw told the Jakarta Globe. “I bumped into Sjahril at Susno’s house on Jalan Abu Ferin in Fatmawati [South Jakarta]. I was there to report to Susno prior to my departure for the Netherlands on a methamphetamine-smuggling investigation.”

Syamsurizal added police have summoned him as a witness in the probe into the alleged Rp 500 million ($55,000) bribe.

“I told the investigators everything I saw,” he said. “I’m willing to testify against Susno, and I’m not afraid of anything because what I’ve said is true.”

He said he saw Sjahril hand Susno a brown paper bag, but did not see its contents. Sjahril is alleged to have bribed Susno on behalf of the co-owner of a fish farm who was seeking a police probe into his business partner for embezzlement.

“Since the case came to light, I’ve understood that the money was a bribe,” Syamsurizal said.

According to copies of police dossiers obtained by the Globe three weeks ago, Sjahril, who was declared a suspect in mid-April, told investigators he had personally handed over the bribe to Susno at the latter’s home in December 2008.

Sjahril said that Syamsurizal had happened to be there. Sjahril said he was acquainted with the officer from his stint as a consultant at the National Police’s Narcotics Directorate in East Jakarta, where Syamsurizal served between 2006 and 2008.

Sjahril, according to the dossiers, said the money came from Haposan Hutagalung, a lawyer representing a Singaporean businessman identified only as Mr Hoo. Hoo had previously pressed charges against his business partner, Anwar Salamah, for allegedly embezzling 11 million Singapore dollars from their joint-venture arowana farm in Riau.

“Mr Hoo felt the police investigators were ineffective, so Haposan sought my help to speed things up,” Sjahril said. “I was close to Susno, so I used that relationship to help Haposan.”

Susno is scheduled for questioning at police headquarters this morning as a witness after failing to appear last Thursday.

“I’ve given my explanation to this allegation on my personal Web site, www.susnoduadji.com,” he told the Globe on Sunday. “Check it out there.”

In his statement, Susno reiterates his innocence and denies ever taking a bribe from Sjahril.

“It is impossible that I took a bribe because the [arowana] case remains in limbo even now,” the site says. “The prosecutors say their dossier on it is not yet complete.” Susno adds that one of his superiors was a stakeholder in the farm, but does not elaborate.

Susno also says on his site that he will show up for questioning today but will demand details of the case before proceeding with the questioning.

A police source working on the case told the Globe earlier that police were close to arresting Susno on charges of bribery, no matter the outcome of his questioning.

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