Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission

Hasan, M.R. Transition from low-value fish to compound feeds in marine cage farming in Asia. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 573. Rome, FAO. 2012. 198 pp.

This technical paper presents the findings of the FAO Regional Technical Cooperation Project TCP/RAS/3203 (D) 'Reducing the dependence on the utilization of trash fish/low-value fish as feed for aquaculture of marine finfish in the Asian Region,' which was implemented between 1 August 2008 and 31 July 2011 in China, Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam. It comprises the results of the project components, namely, farmers' participatory on-farm trials and a concurrent survey of farmers' perceptions concerning the use of two feed types and microcredit, environmental impact assessments of the use of both feed types, and a survey and analysis of the potential impacts of a change to pellet feeds on the livelihood prospects of fishers and suppliers of trash fish/low-value fish. An assessment of changes in the perceptions of farmers before and after the farm trials was undertaken, and a final regional stakeholders' workshop was conducted after the completion of all the project components. Incorporated in the relevant parts of the report are the findings of a follow-up mission conducted 16 months after the end of the project. This mission was designed to confirm the findings, and assess further activities in line with the recommendations made at the final regional stakeholders' workshop.

There were indications of the clear benefits to farmers as well as to the environment of adopting pellet feeds. Some indicators were not statistically significant, but present opportunities for addressing the constraints to the farmers' adoption of pellet feeds. A dominant finding was that the technical and economic performance from pellet feeds can be considerably enhanced by improving feed management, which was not a common attribute among the trial farmers. Furthermore, overall farm performance, whichever feed type was used, could be improved by introducing better management practices. The environmental impact assessments on the use of the two feed types suggested that good feed management and overall farming practices, and improving the quality of trash fish/low-value fish or pellets reduce the impacts of feed on the water beneath and around the culture sites. In addition, a good culture site where the carrying capacity is not stressed by aquaculture and non-aquaculture activities will considerably reduce the mortality risks from biotic and abiotic hazards. The technical and economic findings of the study were noted by the farmers, and contributed to the changes in their attitudes towards the pellet feeds from negative or neutral to positive. The recommendations of the project included providing the opportunities and enabling the farmers to translate their positive attitude into actual and sustained adoption of pellet feeds. Interventions that would promote the adoption of pellet feeds, among others, would include reasonable credit facility, species and growth-stage-specific feed formulations, farmers being associated to take advantage of economy of scale, and advice on better management practices. A standardized guide for a better management practice in cage mariculture was unanimously requested by the farmers.

The impact on the livelihood of fishers and fish suppliers from losing the cage culture industry as a direct market for their trash fish/low-value fish was found to be minimal; they have robust coping mechanisms, which can be strengthened by policy and technical assistance from government.

Asian fisheries today: The production and use of low value/trash fish from marine fisheries in the Asia-Pacific region

Throughout the Asia-Pacific region, captured and cultured marine fisheries continue to play an important role in the economies of many countries, especially in support of food security and poverty alleviation. Marine fisheries resources have been largely overexploited and, as a result, development of coastal aquaculture has been encouraged to provide a source of protein, income, employment and export earnings in many countries. Such a policy trend implies, however, that sufficient food for aquaculture production will be available. Inevitably, a dangerous spiral has evolved where the demand for low value/trash fish has led to increased fishing pressure on already degraded resources, raising important questions regarding the social, economic and ecological costs and benefits of the system and its sustainability. This publication examines production trends and uses of low value/trash fish in the region, as well as issues associated with the rapid development of the aquaculture industry and the increasing demand for fish by consumers. The sustainability of the current system and future prospects are also examined, and important questions are raised for further research to slow down or halt the vicious spiral that has developed.

COLLECTED PAPERS OF THE APFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP "LOW VALUE AND TRASH FISH IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION"
Hanoi, Viet Nam, 7- 9 June 2005

This document contains the background papers presented at the APFIC Regional Workshop on "Low value and 'trash fish' in the Asia-Pacific Region" convened in Hanoi, Viet Nam 7-9 June 2005.

The term "trash fish" is an inadequate term to describe the range of issues and different relative importance of the fish species caught that are collectively termed "trash fish" within the Asia-Pacific region. The term "trash fish" is used differently in different countries referring to fish that is only used for livestock/fish food in some cases, while in others it covers both livestock/fish food and human food. Inland small/low economic value fish share the same issues as coastal small/low economic value fish and their importance as human food, particularly for the rural and coastal poor is increasingly recognized.

Due to the diversity of terminology and the sometimes subjective use of the word "trash fish", the workshop recommended the use of an overarching term "low value/trash fish" in order to discuss the important issues and not become trapped in extended discussions over terminology. In these collected papers, The use of the term trash fish has been left as it was provided by the author to recognize the different uses of the term prior to the workshop.

This publication is the proceedings of the workshop on low value and "trash fish" in the Asia-Pacific region convened in Hanoi, Viet Nam from 7 to 9 June 2005. The workshop was attended by 70 experts from APFIC member countries and from fishery organizations in the region. Trash fish is a broadly used term for fish species that by virtue of their small size or low consumer preference have little or no commercial value. The use of the term varies among countries and can also change both seasonally and with location. One category of trash fish are those not used for human consumption, either landed or discarded at sea. Those that are landed are often small fish that are targeted for processing into fish/animal meal. The other category is low value fish used for human consumption. The huge number of small-scale fisheries in the Asia-Pacific region generates a large quantity of trash fish, much of which is consumed or utilized locally as part of household food security, artisanal processing or for small-scale rural aquaculture and livestock raising. The aim of the workshop was to come up with a clear picture of the current trends and status of trash fish exploitation and utilization