|
Report October
2001: Inception Report ( Second Updates)
|
1. Introduction
Recognizing the importance of policy research on fisheries and aquaculture,
ICLARM submitted a project proposal entitled "Strategies and Options for
Increasing and Sustaining Fisheries and Aquaculture Production to Benefit
the Poor Households in Asia'', the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for funding
consideration under the Regional Technical Assistance (RETA) umbrella in
1999. The Technical Assistance agreement from the Forestry and Natural Resources
Division, Agriculture and Social Sectors Department (East) of ADB was received
by the Center in mid-January 2001 under ADB-RETA 5945. The Center duly signed
the Agreement and requested to the Bank for the Project to be implemented
by 1 March 2001 instead of January. A letter granting this request was received
on 28 February 2001.
This Project will enable Developing Member Countries (DMCs) to (i)
improve fisheries policies affecting resource allocation and choices
about technology, and (ii) set targets of investments and development to
address poverty and increase fish production. The projections of trends
and prospects for the fisheries sector in Asia will provide DMCs and
development agencies, including ADB, with a reliable and disaggregated
picture of fisheries in the region. The information will enable
development agencies to formulate country strategies and options for
fisheries development and set development and investment priorities that
are geared toward poverty reduction and food security improvement. The
research will further enhance ADB's commitment to support the efforts of
DMCs to provide a reliable and adequate supply of nutritious food at
prices affordable to different income groups, especially the low-income
group. This research is in line with ADB's fisheries policy and
investment objectives, which emphasize:
(i) policy support for the development of long-term sustainable
fisheries management;
(ii) capacity building for development and resource management;
(iii) crating and strengthening productive capacity, infrastructure, and
services; and
(iv) regional cooperation.
Objectives
The general objectives of the Project are to assist
the developing member countries (DMCs) in:
(i) developing appropriate strategies for helping poor (often-landless) fishefolk
to escape poverty, and
(ii) identifying appropriate fish species and technologies in aquaculture
and fisheries management to increase fish production and improve the income
and nutrition of poor fishers and fish farmers, and to protect the fisheries
resources.
The specific objectives are to:
(i) formulate strategies and an action plan for increasing fish production,
improving nutrition and income, and protecting fisheries resources so as
to benefit poor fish producers and low-income consumers;
(ii) determine the most viable and sustainable aquaculture and fisheries
practices (including prioritization of fish species, farming systems, fishing
technologies, and management practices) that are of critical importance to
poor fish farmers as fishers as well as low-income consumers;
(iii) analyze and forecast fish production and consumption by fish species
and income groups to evaluate the market potential for alternative fish products
of poor farmers and fishers and to identify fisheries management options
for increased participation by small-scale fishers; and
(iv) strengthen the capacity of the DMC participating institutions in fisheries
policy research in monitoring the impacts of changes in policy, technologies,
and markets on poor households.
ICLARM has submitted a progress report to ADB in
July 2001 covering project activities undertaken during March to June. This
inception and semi-annual report discusses the progress made to date by the
project and the country-specific project plans of the participating DMCs.
|
