Prospects of fish farming in developing countries

Economic Review, April, 1991 by M.M. Nazri

In Sindh a catch is dominated by the cat fish and major carp species. The palla fish (hil-sailisha) consists about 15 per cent of the total catch, but appears to be declining as the Indus river has been increasingly diverted for irrigation. In 1972, the total inland catch was 17,140 m. tons of palla fish (hilsaillisha) which accounted for more than 70 per cent of the total by 1986, the hilisha catch had declined to 6000 m. tons. In Sindh province, the major inland capture fisheries production come from rivers and canals and lakes.

Agriculture in Lakes/Canals

A new technology is being introduced for the production of fish culture in cases and ponds. Inder this new process, the fish will grow faster in size and weight in lesser time. After the success full implementation, this method will be introduced in wider scales in lakes and canals.

Pilot Project for Shrimpculture

The demand for shrimps has been increasing throughout the world, because this is the food item among fishers. In Pakistan shrimps are good foreign exchange earner. Though the demand is increasing, but the catch is decreasing and the cost of catches is increasing due to high cost of fuel, gear and labour for operating the trawlers in sea. For these reasons many countries of Far East Asia have introduced shrimpculture production where brakish water is available. Marineculture is now progressing in South East Asia such as Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand etc. Directorate of Fisheries Sindh, has also started a pilot project of shrimpculture in the district of Thatta measuring about 150 acres in Taluka Ghora-Bari near village Gharo.

Shrimpculture in Private Sector

The encourage and promote marineculture of shrimps in ponds about 9,000 acres of land had been leased out to 81 private parties in Ghori-Bari and Keti Bundar talukas in the district of Thatta. After the full fledged operation of shrimpculture in private sector, it is expected that Pakistan will earn substantially foreign exchange through export of extensively cultured marine shrimp.

Scope

Freshwaterfish culture aims at achieving the highest possible fish production from ponds, tanks, swamps, hill streams, lakes and reservoirs. The techniques of fish cultivation involve both management of soil and water and husbandry of fish. Management of soil and water is basically the same as in agriculture, and fish husbandry as in livestock farming. However, unlike major agriculture crops, fish do not consume water and compared to any bird or mammal used for husbandry purposes, they have the highest fecundity. These two criteria go very much in favour of fish cultivation. Besides, fish provide high-quality food rich in protein and vitamins, and contain fat, calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients necessary for human health and growth.

There has been general reluctance among aid agencies and governments to invest in aquaculture projects overseas. But some organisations have perceived the possible benefits. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank have both reported that there is great scope for expansion. In its World Food Report 1985, the FAO indicates that almost half its $53.6 million fisheries budget now is devoted to aquaculture projects.