Title: Development of Alternatives to the Use of Freshwater Low Value Fish for Aquaculture in the Lower Mekong Basin of Cambodia and Vietnam: Implications for Livelihoods, Production, and Markets

Theme: Enhanced Trade Opportunities for Global Fishery Markets

Lead US University: University of Connecticut - Avery Point

Host Country & Partner Institutions: 

  • US: University of Rhode Island
  • Vietnam: Can Tho University
  • Cambodia: Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute (IFREDI)

 

  • Alternative feeds for freshwater aquaculture species in Vietnam - 09SFT01UC (Final Report)
  • Sustainable snakehead aquaculture development in the Lower Mekong River Basin of Cambodia and Vietnam - 09IND02UC (Final Report)
  • Development of alternatives to the use of freshwater low value fish for aquaculture in the Lower Mekong Basin of Cambodia and Vietnam: implications for livelihoods, production and market - 09TAP03UC (Final Report)
  • Maximizing the utilization of low value or small-size fish for human consumption by improving food safety and value added product development (fermented fish paste) through the promotion of women's fish processing groups/associations in Cambodia - 09FSV01UC (Final Report)
  • Value chain analysis of snakehead fish in the Lower Mekong Basin of Cambodia and Vietnam - 09MER04UC (Final Report)
  • Developing Management Recommendations for Freshwater Small-Sized/Low Value Fish in the Lower Mekong Region of Cambodia and Vietnam - 09MNE04UC (Final Report)
  • Assessing the Impacts of Sustainable Freshwater Aquaculture Development and Small-Sized/Low-Value Fisheries Management in the Lower Mekong Basin region of Cambodia and Vietnam - 09FSV03UC (Final Report)
  • Value Chain Analysis of Freshwater Small-Sized Fish in Cambodia - 09MER09UC (Final Report)
  • Experiment Pond Unit Assessment in Cambodia - 09BMA12UC (Final Report)

Project Summary

In the Mekong region, many capture fisheries resources have been largely overexploited and, as a result, development of aquaculture has been encouraged to provide the protein, income, employment and export earnings for some countries. Such a development trend implies that sufficient feed for aquaculture production will be available. One source of feed is low value/trash fish (Low value/trash is defined as fish that have a low commercial value by virtue of their low quality, small size or low consumer preference). There is increasing demand and trade in the lower Mekong region of Cambodia and Vietnam for low value/trash fish for (1) local consumption (e.g. fresh, dried); (2) direct feed (e.g. livestock, high value species aquaculture); (3) fishmeal production (e.g. poultry, aquaculture); and (4) value-added products (e.g. fish sauce). 

The price of low value/trash fish has tripled since 2001 and it is predicted to continue to rise as aquaculture expands (FAO-APFIC 2005). The use of artificial fish based feeds and/or fresh fish resources have further increased pressure on wild fish stocks. Inevitably, a dangerous spiral has evolved where the demand for low value/trash fish for aquaculture feed has supported increased fishing pressure on already degraded resources. It is predicted that as aquaculture grows in the region, it will be difficult to meet the demand for low value/trash fish. There is a general concern that the rapid expansion of aquaculture may ultimately be constrained by the dependence on low value/trash fish and fishmeal, popularly referred to as the "fishmeal trap". The Asia-Pacific countries may need to increase imports of fishmeal from the global market for the aquaculture industry, or replace these with other feed materials. There is a need to address the increasing demand for low value/trash fish by aquaculture by improving feeds for aquaculture through changing over from direct feeding to pellet feeding and reduction of fishmeal content by substitution of suitable ingredients in pellets. 

There is also increasing conflict between the use of low value/trash fish for feed and for human consumption. In some cases, such feeds are comprised of fish species traditionally used as cheap food for people and this allocation of fish resources to aquaculture may result in negative impacts of food security and livelihoods. It is the economics of the different uses of low value/trash fish in different localities that direct the fish one way or the other. There are also trade-offs between direct food benefit and the indirect employment and income generation opportunities afforded by feeding to aquaculture. It has been argued that it would be more efficient and ethical to divert more of the limited supply to human food, using value-added products. Proponents of this suggest that using low value/trash fish as food for domestic consumers is more appropriate than supplying fishmeal plants for an export, income oriented aquaculture industry, producing high- value commodities. On the other hand, food security can also be increased by improving the income generation abilities of poor people, and it can be argued that the large volume of people employed in both fishing and aquaculture has a beneficial effect. This raises some important questions regarding the social, economic and ecological costs and benefits of aquaculture, its sustainability and future trends. 

The focus of this project is equally on the aquaculture of carnivorous fish and the management of lower value/trash fish. Investigations 4, 5 and 6 address the uses and bioecological characteristics of low value/trash fish. Investigations 1, 2 and 3 address alternative feeds for freshwater aquaculture and feed technology adoption. 

The vision of this project is for sustainable freshwater aquaculture development in the Lower Mekong basin region of Cambodia and Vietnam, taking into consideration the balancing of social, economic and environmental/natural resource needs and implications. This vision takes into account that the main driver of this project is the continued expansion of aquaculture and its dependency on capture fisheries for low value/trash fish for feed. It also takes into account that: capture and culture fisheries continue to play an important role in the food security, poverty alleviation and economies of both countries; the strong interdependency between capture fisheries and aquaculture; management of these two sub-sectors cannot be carried out in isolation of each other; there is increasing intra-regional trade; and there is increasing competition and conflict between the use of low value/trash fish for feed and human consumption. This project will address this issue through six separate but complementary investigations on the management of low value/trash fish fisheries; development of alternative feeds and feeding strategies; outreach and feed technology adoption; market and trade development; and value-added product development. 

To date, the project has made considerable progress in accomplishing the objectives set forth in the first phase. Developed weaning methods so that small, hatchery-reared snakehead can be quickly adapted to pelleted diets. Determined that Channa striata snakehead survive as well on pelleted diets in which up to 50% of the fishmeal has been replaced by soybean meal as they do on pelleted diets made purely of fishmeal. Development of best practice compared between traditional product and modern product of fermented fish product, then determine the issues related to low value fish processing practice and value added product development, market and trade to recommend policies and strategies to address the identified problems and issues in order to ensure high quality, safe and nutrition low value fish products for local and international trade, and to support value-added product development. Information was collected about issues on snakehead farming in the region. Market research has revealed a range of markets in the region for the processed products from low value fish. 

The work undertaken through this activity will be sustained after the life of the project by the partners in Cambodia and Vietnam and through partnerships developed with other regional organizations such as the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia (NACA), the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture (SEAFDEC-AQD), and the WorldFish Center. Additional funding to continue the work started through this project has been or will be secured through such sources as Australia Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), International Development Research Center (IDRC), US Agency for International Development country missions, and funds from each country. Future activities associated with the project are the development of feed and feeding strategies for other fish species, further on-farm trials of feed formulations, policy and technology for trade and value-added product development for low value/trash fish, development of farm made feeds, improved management strategies for capture fisheries, and policy development for sustainable aquaculture and capture fisheries. The project has allowed strong partnerships to be developed between IFREDI and Cantho University researchers which are expected to continue in the future. The exchange of information and knowledge is ongoing and will continue.

  • Competition and Impacts Between use of low Value/Trash Fish for Aquaculture Feed Versus use for Human Food - 07MER01UC (Final Report)
  • Assessment of Diversity and Bioecological Characteristics of low Value/Trash Fish Species - 07MNE01UC (Final Report)
  • Alternative Feeds for Freshwater Aquaculture Species - 07SFT01UC (Final Report)
  • Feed Technology Adoption and Policy Development for Fisheries Management - 07TAP01UC (Final Report)
  • Maximizing the Utilization of low Value or Small Size Fish for Human Consumption Through Appropriate Value Added Product Development - 07FSV01UC (Final Report)

Project Summary

There is increasing demand and trade in the lower Mekong region of Cambodia and Vietnam for low value/trash fish for (1) local consumption (e.g., fresh, dried); (2) direct feed (e.g., livestock, high value species aquaculture); (3) fish meal production (e.g., poultry, aquaculture); and (4) value-added products (e.g., fish sauce).  This project envisions sustainable freshwater aquaculture development in the Lower Mekong basin region of Cambodia and Vietnam, taking into consideration the balancing of social, economic, and environmental/natural resource needs and implications.  The main driver of this project is the continued expansion of aquaculture and its dependency on capture fisheries for low value/trash fish for feed. This project also takes into account that: capture and culture fisheries continue to play an important role in the food security, poverty alleviation, and economies of both countries; the strong interdependency between capture fisheries and aquaculture; management of these two sub-sectors cannot be carried out in isolation of each other; there is increasing intra-regional trade; and there is increasing competition and conflict between the use of low value/trash fish for feed and human consumption. This project will address these issues through five separate but complementary investigations: (1) analysis of supply and demand, and support policy development addressing aquaculture/capture fisheries interactions; (2) assessment and management of the abundance and status of low value/trash fish fisheries; (3) development of alternative feeds and feeding strategies; (4) outreach and feed technology adoption; and (5) trade and value-added product development.

In the Asia-Pacific region, many capture fisheries resources have been largely overexploited and, as a result, development of aquaculture has been encouraged to provide the protein, income, employment, and export earnings for some countries. In Cambodia, for example, freshwater aquaculture production has increased rapidly over the last two decades, with an average growth rate of 16.3%. In 2004, aquaculture represented 8.3% of total inland fisheries production. In Vietnam, the annual growth of aquaculture has been about 10-13% during the last decade. The Mekong Delta region of Vietnam often contributes about 55-60% of the total aquatic production and more than 60% of total aquatic production for export of the whole country. Such a development trend implies that sufficient feed for aquaculture production will be available. One source of feed is low value/trash fish, (defined as fish that have a low commercial value by virtue of their low quality, small size, or low consumer preference). They are either used for human consumption (often processed or preserved) or used to feed livestock/fish, either directly or through reduction to fish meal/oil. There is a general lack of accurate information on how much low value/trash fish is currently used in the Asia-Pacific region, but a conservative estimate of 25% for livestock and aquaculture feed has been put forward. The uses of low value/trash fish are diverse and include: (1) local consumption, e.g., fresh, dried; (2) direct feed, e.g., livestock, high value species aquaculture; (3) fish meal production, e.g., poultry, aquaculture; and (4) value-added products, e.g., fish sauce.

Demand and trade in the region for low value/trash fish is increasing for both aquaculture and animal feeds. In Cambodia, for example, estimates indicate that at least 62 freshwater low-valued or small-sized fish species are used to feed inland aquaculture. These fish species represent both adult species that are commonly used as food fish, and also juveniles of commercially important fish species. Cage culture uses as much as 50% low value/trash fish in the total feed. In Vietnam, at least 11 species of freshwater, and increasingly a number of marine, low value/trash fish are used to feed inland aquaculture. The price of low value/trash fish has tripled since 2001 and it is predicted to continually rise as aquaculture expands. The use of artificial fish-based feeds and/or fresh fish resources has further increased pressure on wild fish stocks. Inevitably, a dangerous spiral has evolved where the demand for low value/trash fish for aquaculture feed has supported increased fishing pressure on already degraded resources. As aquaculture grows in the region, it probably will be difficult to meet the demand for low value/trash fish. There is a general concern that the rapid expansion of aquaculture may ultimately be constrained by the dependence on low value/trash fish and fish meal, popularly referred to as the “fish meal trap”. The Asia-Pacific countries may need to increase imports of fishmeal from the global market for the aquaculture industry, or replace these with other feed materials. There is a need to address the increasing aquaculture demand for low value/trash fish by improving feeds for aquaculture through replacement of direct feeding by pellet feeding, and reduction of fishmeal content by substitution of suitable ingredients in pellets.

Conflict is increasing between the use of low value/trash fish for feed and for human consumption. In some cases, such feeds are comprised of fish species traditionally used as cheap food for people, and this allocation of fish resources to aquaculture may result in negative impacts of food security and livelihoods.  The economics of the different uses of low value/trash fish in different localities direct the fish one way or the other. There are also trade-offs between direct food benefit and the indirect employment and income generation opportunities afforded by feeding to aquaculture. There is debate that it would be more efficient and ethical to divert more of the limited supply to human food, using value-added products. Proponents of this suggest that using low value/trash fish as food for domestic consumers is more appropriate than supplying fishmeal plants for an export, income-oriented aquaculture industry that produces high-value commodities. On the other hand, food security can also be increased by improving the income generating abilities of poor people. The large volume of people employed in both fishing and aquaculture also has a beneficial effect. This raises some important questions regarding the social, economic, and ecological costs and benefits of aquaculture, as well as its sustainability and future trends.

This project focuses equally on the aquaculture of carnivorous fish and the management of lower value/trash fish. Investigations 1, 2, and 5 address the uses and bioecological characteristics of low value/trash fish. Investigations 3 and 4 address alternative feeds for freshwater aquaculture and feed technology adoption. This project will address the USAID Foreign Assistance Framework objective of economic growth, specifically in the program areas of agriculture (agriculture enabling environment and agriculture sector productivity) and environment (natural resources and biodiversity). The global research theme of the project is Enhanced Trade Opportunities for Global Fishery Markets. Human capacity development in aquaculture and fisheries, a goal of USAID foreign assistance, will be a central focus of this project. The project will also address USAID focal areas for broadening market access, improving nutrition and health, food quality, processing, and food safety of fishery products.

This project envisions sustainable freshwater aquaculture development and innovative fisheries management systems in the Lower Mekong basin region of Cambodia and Vietnam, taking into consideration the balancing of social, economic, and environmental/natural resource needs and implications. The main driver of this project is the continued expansion of aquaculture and its dependency on capture fisheries for low value/trash fish for feed. This project also takes into account: capture and culture fisheries continue to play an important role in the food security, poverty alleviation and economies of both countries; the strong interdependency between capture fisheries and aquaculture; management of these two sub-sectors cannot be carried out in isolation of each other; there is increasing local and intra-regional trade for low value/trash fish products; and there is increasing competition and conflict between the use of low value/trash fish for feed and human consumption. The work undertaken will be sustained after the life of the project by the partners in Cambodia and Vietnam, and through the development of partnerships with other regional organizations such as the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia (NACA), the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD), and The WorldFish Center. Additional funding will be secured through such sources as the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and each country. Future activities associated with the project are the development of feed and feeding strategies for other fish species; further on-farm trials of feed formulations, policy and technology for trade and value-added product development for low value/trash fish, development of farm-made feeds, improved management strategies for capture fisheries, and policy development for sustainable aquaculture and capture fisheries.