October 5, 2005

Fish demand may shoot up by 2020
 

By 2020, an additional 40 million tonnes of fish is required to meet the demand from an increasing population especially in the developing countries, according to Dr Modadugu Vijay Gupta, the 2005 World Food Prize Laureate.

Fish contributed 40-50 percent of animal protein intake in Asia, Gupta said, adding that it was also a major export product.

In 2003, food fish production was 104 million tonnes, of which Asia contributed 63 percent.

Asia also makes up 90 percent of the world aquaculture production, Gupta said, adding that this sector employed over 200 million people.

He said that the current challenges in restoring fish stocks include reducing fishing pressure, involvement of communities in management, and in providing alternate livelihood to fishermen.

He also highlighted the importance of including women into aquaculture.