International Conference on Fisheries & Poverty
Laguna, Philippines - Expectations of broad-based growth for fisheries-dependent communities are tempered by concerns on the precarious state of aquatic resources, especially in Southeast Asia. The link among fisheries, poverty, and sustainability raises a host of important and as yet unanswered research questions.
Background
Fish is an important source of food and livelihoods in Southeast Asia.Production and exports from the fisheries sector have grown rapidly in the region. Despite the importance and dynamism of fisheries, it has remained a neglected sector in agricultural research and development, which has been traditionally dominated by crop agriculture. Recently though, attention has been drawn to the role of fisheries in food security and livelihoods of the poor, particularly with its increasing prominence in regional and even global food production,consumption, and trade. However, expectations of broad-based growth for fisheries-dependent communities are tempered by concerns on the precarious state of aquatic resources, especially in Southeast Asia. The link among fisheries, poverty, and sustainability raises a host of important and as yet unanswered research questions.
Objectives
The conference aims to expand understanding of the constraints and emerging challenges in the fishery sector vis-à-vis poverty reduction in Southeast Asia. Specifically, it aims to review and synthesize available literature on policy and governance issues on sustainable fisheries for the poor in Southeast Asia; identify research gaps and formulate a specific research agenda indicating priorities for research on fisheries and poverty within the region; and identify policy directions and areas of regional collaboration toward reducing poverty among fisheries-dependent households.
Features of the Conference
Organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), WorldFish Center, and Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD), the conference will present high quality review papers,which are expected to consolidate available knowledge and knowledge gaps, from the perspective of experts. An introductory paper will present an overview of the issues on fisheries and poverty.Other papers will tackle the household perspective, fisheries as an economic sector, technologies and the supply chain, and status and governance of aquatic resources. Panel discussants would provide feedback and inputs on the content and usefulness of the papers and presentations for policymakers. The conference will also have workshop discussions whereby the participants shall process the workshop papers as well as identify a priority policy and research agenda for sustainable and pro-poor fisheries.
The papers will eventually be transformed into book chapters,incorporating inputs from the workshop as well as designated referees.The book is expected to be a standard reference source of sustainablefishery management in Southeast Asia.
Participants
Key personalities with vast experience in fisheries and poverty related issues in Southeast Asia will deliver the keynote and thematic presentations.
Participants will come from the academe, government organizations(R&D, fisheries and trade), non government organizations, international development agencies, and the private sector, mostly within, but not limited to, Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture,
College, Laguna, 4031 Philippines
Tel: (63-49) 536-2290 / 2254
Fax: (63-49) 536-4105
E-mail: [email protected]
