EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA

In Asia as a whole fish provide 30% of the animal protein in a typical diet, but in some countries it is even higher: 58% in Indonesia and 75% in Cambodia. The proportion of protein provided by fish is higher for lower income groups, who can mainly afford to eat only the lowest-priced fish species. Fishing and related industries provide either the main or a supplementary source of employment, livelihood and income for many of the region’s poor.

Recent work at the WorldFish Center has shown that the demand for fish will grow substantially in this region and projections suggest that if production can match demand, then total fish consumption in the region will rise from around 41.5 million tonnes in 2005 to 52.3 million tonnes by 2015. Aquaculture development will be key to meeting that target. Rehabilitating and sustaining coastal fisheries is also crucial for small-scale fisherfolk and their families across the region. WorldFish is helping on both of these goals.

We are also strongly engaged in helping with the region’s recovery from the 2004 tsunami, and in addressing the challenges posed by climate change that are poised to have major impact on coastal areas across this region.

Highlights of our work in Malaysia

Visit the WorldFish Center East and Southeast Asia website.

For more information contact Dr. Natasja Sheriff - n.sheriff@cgiar.org