Fisheries Production in Asia: Its Role in Food Security and Nutrition

Abstract

"Prediction of the worsening condition of fisheries stocks worldwide and of aquatic ecosystems in crisis, together with the uncertainty on whether the emphasis given to intensive aquaculture production (which is still heavily reliant on fish meal and fish oil) is sustainable and is able to contribute to net growth in fisheries production, have been vigorously discussed and well documented in recent years. These challenges were recognized by the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. The future of fisheries and their sustainability will have great consequences in Asia, where large populations live in riparian and coastal states and are heavily dependent on fisheries and its products for food and for livelihoods. Asian countries produce almost 50 per cent of the worlds total capture fisheries production and about 90 per cent of the worlds aquaculture production. Coastal and riparian states in Asia rely heavily on fish as a source of food, and statistics from FAO indicated that per caput consumption of fish from the East and Southeast Asian countries (24.0 kg), and China (24.7 kg) surpassed the global average of 15.8 kg. Some Asian countries are also important seafood exporting countries, with Thailand, China, China-Taiwan, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea ranking among the top ten world exporters of seafood.

"Fish and other living aquatic animals have often been classified as a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals. In recent years, fish has been acknowledged as a functional food and has important roles in the prevention and management of heart disorders, neurological diseases and mood swings. Important products such as fish leather, squalene, chitosan, eicosapantaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are also obtained from fish and fisheries products.

"This paper reviews the status and some management issues of fisheries production in Asia, as well as the supply and demand situation. Its food security and nutritional roles and opportunities for value addition are also discussed."