Most presentations seem to be concerned with intensive aquaculture, i.e., monoculture, but in Asia a great deal of aquaculture is semi-intensive and uses polyculture methods, i.e.,mixture of species (carnivorous species as well as filter feeders which help to balance the ecosystem).

There are lower yields from integrated systems: if costs are steady, this can be accommodated, but in developing countries costs are rising. Lower yield per unit hectare can also mean less exposure to risk.

Aquaculture production can only increase if other resources are used “negative externality” matters.

New technologies are all very well, but why do these never get down to the small farmer?

There are very many small farms in Asia, but not many partnerships. What is needed to make progress towards a common goal is collaboration between different kinds of partners and stakeholders, who must be involved in the decision-making process. Community participation means that local authorities need to be factored in.

In coastal zone management, aquaculture is only one relatively small part. The whole socio-economic aspect needs to be better defined. Stakeholder participation, industry participation, academic participation: do we in Asia have the tools to carry this out? Perhaps a well-defined Code of Practice can help in this process.

Genetically Modified Organisms(GMOs) were the subject of lively exchanges. In the developed countries, the mere mention of the word “genetic” raises problems of consumer acceptibility.

Public perceptions have to be changed and that takes sustained educatinal efforts. It seems that in certain western countries, as a result of recent widespread animal disease, there is equally widespread distruct of scientists. There has to be open discussion about what is taking place, then pathways will be found to change perceptions.

The structure of breeding programmes is very important, otherwise in the years aquaculture could resemble poultry farming where there are now only 6 species.

The ultimate aim being marketability and profitability, perhaps one answer is to search for new markets. Organic farming now is seen as an important new market and Asian-grown fish would qualify for entry into this new and growing market. There is a need to analyse developing markets, to predict future changes, and to develop guidelines for quality assurance.

Problems of quality assurance and freedom from disease can be met by introducing labelling, though the cost of certification is seen as too high. However, labelling and certification are seen as critical for the international market, and regulations will have to be complied with, for entire product range.

We need to mediate between the need for profitability and sustainability. In aquaculture, habitat conservation is must more than a green issue, for without a clean environment, there will be no future profitability.

Issues concerning Introductions were also raised.

One of the problems we are facing

Intervention by Ms Liu Hui
Fisheries College
Ocean University of Qingdao

A suitable way of aquaculture calls for the understanding of the particular aquatic environment (its carrying capacity, etc.) and the particular aquaculture patterns in a particular area. As the main point of the workshop is sustainability, what we have to do is to draw our conclusions according to long times of detecting and monitoring the geographical, physical, chemical and biological changes, both in a large scale(global scale, district scale, etc) and in a small scale (unique estuaries, bays, etc.).
To accomplish this, I think the most important thing is to ensure a 'sustainable' way of research. To improve the analyzing methodology, sensitivity of the instruments and qualification of the operating staffs, is to make sure that the data we obtained can be comparable over the long run. As I have been doing research for some time, I have found that this sometimes causes a problem, i.e., the chemical compounds and distilled water we use can affect the sensitivity of the instruments, and different hands may be the reason behind small variations of results.
We need some kind of standardization in both the materials and personnel, as well as other aspects; and we still have a long way to go.
In my view, this is the area where cooperation is badly needed!
April 28, 2002.