Projects

Development of Better Management Practices for Catfish Aquaculture in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam (updated 19/10/2009)

Catfish farming in the Mekong Delta, the bulk of which is still undertaken by relatively small-scale producers, is one of the largest freshwater aquaculture industries in the world. The sector has already reached the forecast for 2010 of a production of 1 million tonnes with export value of 1 billion US$. Current farming practices need to be improved in many fronts and issues of environmental integrity addressed to ensure the industry continues to develop in a sustainable manner. The project aims to develop and facilitate adoption of BMPs for the catfish farming practices, implemented through groups of small-scale farmers, that will increase their efficacy and profitability while simultaneously reducing their risk profile and environmental impact, to ensure the wider sustainability of the sector as a whole.

Culture-based fisheries development in Lao PDR

Applied production models are being developed to optimise yields from culture based fisheries practices in flood plain depressions and reservoir coves in. The project is being implemented through village community participation in two provinces of Lao PDR from 2007-2009. The findings will be disseminated to other suitable provinces, thereby augmenting the current food fish availability, particularly in the lean period of the capture fisheries, and raising the income of village communities. Information will be provided on optimal stocking densities, size at stocking, species combinations and ratios and most beneficial harvesting size.

Culture, capture conflicts: sustaining fish production and livelihoods in Indonesian reservoirs.

Management plans developed by government authorities will be implemented to ensure sustainability of fisheries-related activities in the Cirata and Jatiluhur Reservoirs, Indonesia. These activities will be undertaken as an extension to the project 'Culture, capture conflicts: sustaining fish production and livelihoods in Indonesian reservoirs', which was conducted from June 2004 to June 2007. The project will build capacity in co-management processes amongst Indonesian researchers and extension workers of the provincial fishery authorities; establish organized stakeholders groups to facilitate uptake and implementation of co-managerial measures.

Strategies for development of Asian reservoir and lake fisheries

Fisheries activities in Asian reservoirs often play a significant role in the livelihoods and nutrition of rural communities. Inland fisheries production is almost always used in entirety for direct human consumption and the great bulk of these fisheries are artisanal and provide livelihoods for the rural poor. The project aims to identify national and regional R&D needs for effective utilisation of reservoirs and lakes for food fish production in participating countries and to develop capacity amongst fisheries and extension officers in management of reservoir fisheries.

Molecular genetics of the rohu, Labeo rohita

The objective of the study is to investigate genetic issues relevant to the aquaculture, stock enhancement and fisheries management of rohu. The project aims to improve broodstock management practices at the hatchery level, support fisheries management and inform policy development on the translocation of seed for aquaculture and/or stock enhancement. These objectives will be addressed through five inter-linked molecular genetic studies.