Introduction

Recognizing the importance of policy research on fisheries and aquaculture, the WorldFish Center is implementing the project "Strategies and Options for Increasing and Sustaining Fisheries and Aquaculture Production to Benefit the Poor Households in Asia''. The Project receives financial support from the Fifth Agriculture and Natural Resources Research at CGIAR Centers under the umbrella of Regional Technical Assistance (RETA) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB-RETA 5945). The Project is being implemented in nine developing member countries (DMCs) of ADB (namely, Bangladesh, People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam) for a three-year period (March 2001 - February 2004).

The outputs from the Project will enable DMCs to (i) improve fisheries policies affecting resource allocation and choices about technology, and (ii) set targets for 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 the ADB, with a reliable and integrated picture of fisheries in the region. The information will enable development agencies to formulate country strategies, and to provide options for fisheries development and to set investment priorities geared toward poverty reduction and improvement in food security. The research will further enhance the ADB's commitment to support DMCs' efforts to provide a reliable and adequate supply of nutritious food at affordable prices, especially to the low-income group. This research is in line with the ADB's fisheries policy and investment objectives, which emphasizes (i) policy support for the development of long-term sustainable fisheries management; (ii) capacity building for development and resource management; (iii) creating and strengthening production capacity, infrastructure, and services; and (iv) regional cooperation.

Objectives

The general objectives of the Project are to assist the DMCs in (i) developing appropriate strategies for helping poor and landless fisher folks to overcome poverty, and (ii) identifying appropriate fish species and technologies in aquaculture and fisheries management for increased fish production and improved income and nutrition of poor fishers and fish farmers, and for fisheries resources conservation.

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, fishers, and low-income consumers; (iii) analyze and forecast fish production and consumption by fish species and by income group in order 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 on poor households of changes in policies, technologies, and markets.

Since inception, WorldFish has submitted three reports: 1) a Progress Report (March - June 2001) in June 2001, 2) a Project Inception Report (March - August 2001) in October 2001 and 3) a Semi-Annual Report (September 2001 - February 2002) in April 2002. This report discusses the progress of activities and accomplishments of the Project from March to August 2002.