Title: Human Health and aquaculture: Health Benefits Through Improving Aquaculture Sanitation and Best Management Practices

Theme: Improved Health and Nutrition, Food Quality, and Food Security

Lead US University: University of Hawai'i at Hilo

Host Country & Partner Institutions:

  • US: Louisiana State University, Ohio State University
  • Mexico: Research Center for Food & Development; Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán Campus; Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Mazatlán Campus
  • Nicaragua: Centro de Investigación de Ecosistemas Acuáticos-Universidad, Centroamericana (Center for Research of Aquatic Ecosystems-Central American University: CIDEA-UCA)

Work carried out by the University of Hawai'i at Hilo from 2006-2013 focused on poor women and children highly dependent upon bivalve shellfish, mangrove resources, and other natural resource extraction in the coastal Latin American region. Research focused on improving food security and reduction of food-borne diseases through improved fisheries management, small-scale aquaculture and improved food sanitation practices. Ecological and fisheries studies provided information critical to decision-making and planning for coastal communities and economic development. Efforts to increase capacity for extension agents and researchers to work in bivalve culture, fisheries management and shellfish sanitation were carried out. Communities benefitted from improved income and food security through resource co-management cooperatives and small shellfish growing businesses. Food safety was enhanced through the development of shellfish sanitation plans and the classification of shellfish growing waters to reduce risk of contamination and open the door to export markets. Considerable advances were made in developing a new, native fish for aquaculture (Dormitator latifrons), which offers potential as a low-cost, low-tech aquaculture species for Latin America.

  • Developing hatchery methods for the mangrove oyster, Crassostrea corteziensis for the Pacific Coast of Mexico - 09IND01UH (Final Report)
  • Induced spawning and larval rearing of the 'chame' Dormitator latifrons in laboratory conditions - 09IND03UH (Final Report)
  • Stock assessment of 'Chame' Dormitator latifrons in Nayarit and South of Sinaloa México - 09IND04UH (Final Report)
  • Co-management and bivalve sanitation for black cockles (Anadara spp.) in Nicaragua - 09HHI01UH (Final Report)
  • Capacity building in aquaculture, fisheries management and coastal management for coastal women. Workshop: 'Opportunities for Coastal Women in Fisheries, Aquaculture and Coastal Management' - 09HHI02UH (Final Report)
  • Developing feeds for larval Dormitator latifrons (chame) larvae - 09IND10UH (Final Report)

Project Summary

The proposed research, training and outreach activities will add components of aquaculture research, development and training to existing integrated coastal zone management programs for three large estuarine complexes in Mexico and Nicaragua. Design of the research activities is based on extensive prior needs assessments which include feasibility studies, management plans and previous research findings. The overall goal is to increase capacity to implement best management practices in aquaculture sanitation as a means to improve human health through disease prevention and product quality and safety. Improving food security through multiple strategies is also a theme for this work. These efforts aim to develop bivalve culture as a means of increasing utilization of indigenous species which are low on the food chain, have low technology requirements and have high value. Bivalves also provide valuable ecological services and require improved management of their fisheries throughout Latin America and the Carribbean. For this continuation of current efforts, we have chosen to focus on continuing research to determine the effectiveness of a community-based co-management effort for the black cockle fishery in Nicaragua, which may serves as a model for the other troubled bivalve fisheries in Latin America. Additionally, efforts to develop native bivalve species for culture will continue through developing hatchery methods and continuing extension to oyster farming groups in two Mexican States. The members of these groups are largely women, or extended families. Additionally, we propose to continue work sponsored by the ACRSP and the USAID SUCCESS1 project to develop a native fish species ("chame", Dormitator latifrons) found throughout LAC that holds tremendous potential for aquaculture. Expected outcomes include: 1) information critical to decision-making and planning for coastal communities and economic development; 2) increased capacity for extension agents and researchers to work in bivalve culture, fisheries management and shellfish sanitation; 3) improved extension services benefiting coastal communities; 4) developing the basis for shellfish sanitation plans and classification of shellfish growing waters; 5) improved food quality and safety for shellfish and other aquaculture products; 6) improved prices and markets for products; and 7) reduction in the incidence of food-borne illnesses related to aquaculture. Issues of basic food security are also addressed through development of native species that are suited for aquaculture by poor, coastal residents. 

Introduction 
Improving the health and well-being of stakeholders is the fundamental justification for aquaculture development. Aquaculture can affect human health through a wide variety of direct and indirect causal pathways, including but not limited to: the relationship with environmental quality; use of natural resources (e.g. water, land, inputs); consumption of safe, high protein food products; increased household revenues to improve food security; and involvement of women, youth and marginalized groups. 

The ways in which users and resources are affected by and affect aquaculture are complex, not completely understood, and are dynamic in nature. Workers in this area must constantly update their knowledge and understanding of the processes involved, new technology and the changing socioeconomic framework. CRSP stakeholder and expert panel meetings of the Africa, Asia and Latin America/Caribbean regions (2002) reveal two critical trends; 1) research and development of new aquaculture technology has been effective in laying the informational basis for development of subsistence aquaculture; and 2) the ability of researchers and extension agents to transfer and implement the outcomes of research and development has not kept pace with the rate of technological innovation nor the rapidly changing socioeconomic milieu of most developing nations and their communities. It is not uncommon for technology transfer to lag technology development in any economic sector, but an opportunity exists to significantly strengthen the collective CRSP and associated stakeholders' ability for technology transfer in human health themes. 

Similar issues affect the on-going, community-based coastal management efforts on the Pacific Coasts of Mexico and Nicaragua. There are three on-going coastal management initiatives in these countries that this work will support through carrying out specific recommendations in each area's management plan related to aquaculture, fisheries and development of alternative livelihoods. The coastal management initiatives that this work will support are located at: 1) Santa Maria Bay, Sinaloa, Mexico; 2) Boca de Camichin, Nayarit, Mexico; and 3) Aserradores Estuary, a part of the Estero Real Protected Area and RAMSAR site. This work is also linked to work conducted as part of the USAID SUCCESS program, EU fisheries management programs and other international initiatives. 

We are proposing to use support from CRSP to build on current coastal and aquaculture management efforts to: 1) continue an emphasis on bivalve culture, sanitation and co- management as a means to diversify aquaculture and improve food security; 2) research aquaculture methods and fisheries dynamics for a new fish species with high potential; 3) provide extension support to communities to assure adoption of technologies and best management practices developed during Phase I of this project; and 4) improve access to key information for decision-making and planning through publications, outreach, extension and exchanges. 

Two types of aquaculture have been selected for their potential to diversify aquaculture, direct impact on food security and which have minimal impacts on the environment. Firstly, since becoming part of the CRSP network in 2003, efforts have focused on promoting culture of native species of bivalves as a sustainable form of aquaculture with low technology requirements and minimal environmental impacts. The health aspects of aquaculture and links with the environmental have also been researched, particularly shellfish sanitation. To date, accomplishments in this area have included the classification of shellfish growing grounds, development of depuration and relaying methods, increased culture of the native oyster species and transfer of culture technologies. The current work will solidify accomplishments and continue to advance in certain key areas, including developing hatchery methods to assure the supply of larvae, now the major constraint to future progress by community groups culturing shellfish. Secondly, in the theme of developing native species which can substitute for introduced species and which offer potential to directly supply food for poor, rural people with minimal impacts, the CRSP and SUCCESS projects have been working to develop the chame fish (Dormitator latifrons), which is found along the entire Pacific Coast of the Americas, from California to northern Peru. The chame is euryhaline and omnivorous, and has the habit of ingesting detritus. This fish was once abundant in many areas and with the exception of certain indigenous groups, has been largely distained despite its high quality flesh. Trials in Ecuador under the SUCCESS program demonstrated that it could be successfully cultured using low- protein, locally-sources feeds and has rapid growth rates. Researchers in Mexico will undertake research to determine the nutritional requirements of fingerlings, methods to induce spawning and assess the population dynamics of the wild populations. 

Vision Statement 
This work aims to further current efforts to develop indigenous species in Mexico and Central America focusing on bivalves such as clams, oysters and scallops as a low-impact alternative to shrimp aquaculture and to more directly benefit poor coastal communities. A thriving bivalve fishery and aquaculture industry in Mexico and Nicaragua that yields safe, high quality products will create jobs, improve food security and reduce the incidence of shellfish-borne illnesses. Development of the chame fish will add an easily-cultured native species to the array of possibilities for small-scale fish culture along the Pacific Coast of Latin America. Training and extension in general food safety and quality for all aquaculture products will build capacity among producers and vendors to reduce risks and improve the value of their products. Additionally, this work will contribute to improving national capacity in Mexico and Nicaragua by training professionals (including one graduate student) to increase their knowledge in these fields. Findings will be disseminated globably through peer-reviewed publications, accessible ational meetings.

  • Spat Collection, Growth Rates and Survival of the Native Oyster Species, Crassostrea corteziensis, at Santa Maria Bay, Mexico - 07IND03UH (Final Report)
  • Oyster-relaying and Depuration in Open-water Locations - 07IND04UH (Final Report)
  • Determination of Carrying Capacity of the Boca Camichin Estuary in Reference to Oyster Culture - 07WIZ02UH (Final Report)
  • International Workshop for Aquaculture Sanitation - 07HHI03UH (Final Report)
  • Regional Workshop on Shellfish Culture and Sanitation - 07HHI04UH (Final Report)
  • Training in Best Management Practices for the Production of Molluscs in the States of Nayarit and Sinaloa - 07BMA04UH (Final Report)
  • Microbiological Quality of Shellfish Growing Waters and Tissues - 07HHI05UH (Final Report)
  • Intensive Training and Internship in Bivalve Culture and Shellfish Sanitation - 07BMA05UH (Final Report)

Project Summary

The project's research, training, and outreach investigations will add components of aquaculture research, development, and training to existing integrated coastal zone management programs for five estuaries in Mexico and Nicaragua. Design of the research activities is based on prior needs assessments, feasibility studies, management plans, and previous research findings. The overall goal is to increase capacity to implement best management practices in aquaculture sanitation as a means to improve human health through disease prevention and product quality and safety. This work also aims to develop bivalve culture as a means of increasing utilization of indigenous species, which are low on the food chain, have low technology requirements and have high value. Other species such as finfish and small-scale shrimp culture are also considered where appropriate. Work will focus on research to develop shellfish sanitation schemes to improve bivalve fisheries and farming; estimation of carrying capacity for a nationally important estuary to aid in planning for bivalve and other forms of aquaculture development; training in best management practices focused on food quality, safety, and shellfish sanitation; and training in a wide range of bivalve production methods. Two trials will be conducted to determine feasibility of cultivating a local oyster species and using relaying sites for oyster depuration. Expected outcomes include information critical to decision making and planning for coastal communities and economic development; increased capacity for extension agents and researchers to work in bivalve culture, fisheries management, and shellfish sanitation; improved extension services benefiting coastal communities; developing the basis for shellfish sanitation plans and classification of shellfish growing waters; improved food quality and safety for shellfish and other aquaculture products; improved prices and markets for products; and reduction in the incidence of food-borne illnesses related to aquaculture.

Improving the health and well being of stakeholders is the fundamental justification for aquaculture development.  Aquaculture can affect human health through a wide variety of direct and indirect causal pathways, including but not limited to the relationship with environmental quality; use of natural resources (e.g., water, land, inputs); consumption of safe, high protein food products; increased household revenues to improve food security; and involvement of women, youth, and marginalized groups.

The ways in which users and resources are affected by and affect aquaculture are complex, not completely understood, and are dynamic in nature. Workers in this area must constantly update their knowledge and understanding of the processes involved, new technology, and the changing socioeconomic framework. CRSP stakeholder and expert panel meetings of the Africa, Asia and Latin America/Caribbean regions (2002) revealed two critical trends; (1) research and development of new aquaculture technology has been effective in laying the informational basis for development of subsistence aquaculture; and (2) the ability of researchers and extension agents to transfer and implement the outcomes of research and development has not kept pace with the rate of technological innovation or with the rapidly changing socioeconomic milieu of most developing nations and their communities.  Technology transfer commonly lags technology development in any economic sector, but an opportunity exists to significantly strengthen the collective CRSP and associated stakeholders’ ability for technology transfer in human health themes.

Similar issues affect the on-going, community-based coastal management efforts in Pacific Mexico. For this reason, the partners involved in the Santa Maria Bay Management Initiative in Sinaloa, Mexico, the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa (UAS), Coastal Resources enter/University of Rhode Island (CRC/URI), and the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center/University of Hawaii at Hilo (PACRC/UHH) have chosen to work closely with issues of aquaculture, environmental health, and associated socioeconomic aspects as part of a larger coastal management initiative.  The Santa Maria Bay Management Plan and related initiatives in other coastal watershed areas such as Marismas Nacionales (National Wetlands) in Nayarit State encompass work to manage economic activities, including aquaculture, to maximize economic and social benefits for local residents, minimize environmental impacts, and improve productive efficiency for long-term sustainability.  The investigations will be closely tied to on-going activities and will expand the breath of current initiatives.  Similar coastal zone management efforts and development of sustainable, alternative livelihoods are taking place in Nicaragua, led by Central American University under sponsorship from USAID, the EU, and Japan.  Much of this work has focused on conducting research and outreach that lays the foundation for development of bivalve culture, improvement of bivalve fisheries management, and best management practices for sanitation and food quality.  Links between colleagues in Mexico and Nicaragua have been built through past CRSP-sponsored work, and efforts in both countries are moving forward in a parallel and complementary manner.

The project will build on current coastal and aquaculture management efforts to: (1) develop bivalve aquaculture; (2) determine the carrying capacity of a nationally-important estuary in relation to bivalve culture; (3) conduct research needed to establish shellfish sanitation plans and implement classification of shellfish growing waters; (4) build capacity through workshops, training, extension, and educational opportunities; (5) build networks of practitioners in these fields to enhance learning and collaboration; and (6) improve access to key information for decision-making and planning through publications, outreach, extension, and exchanges.

This project aims to further current efforts to develop indigenous species in Mexico and Central America focusing on bivalves such as clams, oysters, and scallops as a low-impact alternative to shrimp aquaculture and to more directly benefit poor coastal communities.  A thriving bivalve fishery and aquaculture industry in Mexico and Nicaragua that yields safe, high quality products will create jobs, improve food security, and reduce the incidence of shellfish-borne illnesses.  Training and extension in general food safety and quality for all aquaculture products will build capacity among producers and vendors to reduce risks and improve the value of their products. Additionally, this work will contribute to improving national capacity in Mexico and Nicaragua by training professionals (including one graduate student) to increase their knowledge in these fields.

U.S., regional, and global benefits are as follows:

  • Development of bivalves as an important species group for the aquaculture industries in two countries, potentially establishing a model for alternative aquaculture that utilizes low technology, low-input forms of aquaculture.
  • The LAC region benefits from the approaches that emphasize the use of native bivalve species for culture rather than importing bivalve seed.
  • Since few developing nations have shellfish sanitation plans, developing and implementing shellfish sanitation in Nicaragua and Mexico establishes a model for the LAC and other regions.
  • Dissemination of current and innovative shellfish culture methods is enhanced by availability of training and outreach materials.  
  • Two countries benefit from developing professional capacity for bivalve culture and shellfish sanitation, as there are few professionals currently in the LAC region with this expertise.
  • There is direct benefit to the U.S. as many US citizens visit Mexico and Nicaragua and consume shellfish there.  Improving shellfish sanitation benefits US citizens who might be vulnerable to contaminated shellfish.  Also, shellfish are transported within each of the target countries and within the LAC region (often illegally), so improvements in shellfish sanitation lessen the risk when consuming bivalves throughout the region.