Why Fish?

We see fisheries research as a potent means for leveraging sustainable, pro-poor development. But why?
Fisheries are especially important to the developing world. In some of Asia’s poorest countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia) people derive as much as 75% of their daily protein from fish. In West Africa fish account for 30% of animal protein intake, and this number would be larger if the poor could afford to buy more.

Global demand for fish has doubled since 1973, and ninety percent of the production increase was in developing countries, which now export US$18 billion worth of fish annually. This is as much as the combined value of all the major terrestrial crops that they export.

Despite their importance, few steps have been taken to protect fisheries. Fish were thought of as a limitless resource to be exploited at will. Now, we are witnessing the cost of that carelessness: steep declines in wild fish populations, and fishing enterprises in crisis all over the world.

Because fisheries were taken for granted, they received scant research attention. Major research opportunities went unaddressed. If we correct this mistake, major, significant gains await.

For example, WorldFish’s pioneering work on fish breeding very quickly yielded very large increases in growth rates, vigor and productivity of the important tilapia species. Overall, investments in research at WorldFish return 134 dollars per year for every 100 dollars of initial investment, a spectacular rate of return compared to other investments.

Our vision for improved fisheries goes well beyond raising fish production, though. We aim to reduce poverty, hunger and insecurity across the developing world. Fisherfolk are among the poorest and most marginalized members of these societies. Through better nourishment and health, higher incomes, more secure livelihoods, increased gender equity, and more sustainable water and land management, the poor across Africa, Asia and the South Pacific stand to gain enormously from fisheries research.