Green Economy in a Blue World-Full Report

however ambiguous because aquaculture may at the same time provide important livelihood opportunities (Hall, et al. , 2011). For all the potential environmental impacts of aquaculture, many of its production forms continue to have advantages from a resource and ecological efficiency perspective over other animal food production systems and it has room for further efficiency gains (Hall, et al., 2011; FAO, 2011c). Further technology and production system developments will however be needed to capitalize on such advantages. As aquaculture production increases, so do the number of people employed in the sector. The sector has an important potential for economic diversification. This includes both employment directly at the farm level as well as non-farm opportunities in supply, processing and marketing activities. Small-scale aquaculture that often involves family labour can provide opportunities for women and in this way contribute to their empowerment (FAO, 2010b; FAO, 2011c). However, some types of aquaculture, e.g. coastal shrimp culture, have caused socio- economic conflicts because of adverse impacts on the livelihoods of adjacent communities due to salinization of soils, water pollution, increased frequency of flooding and the degradation or impediment of access to common natural resources such as mangroves, grazing land, fresh water aquifers, and fishing grounds. The recent trends toward automation, mergers, vertical integration and increasing labour productivity potentially exclude local communities and rural people. The impacts of increased automation and intensification on energy consumption and land tenure as well as access to water will continue to be contentious issues during aquaculture development (FAO, 2011c). Aquaculture influences carbon emissions by the direct and indirect use of fossil fuels in production systems and the conversion of land that is high in sequestered carbon such as mangroves, sea grass or forest areas into aquaculture production. Aquaculture also generates emissions of waste nitrogen and phosphorus that impact on the environment. While more needs to be known about environmental emissions from different types of aquaculture production systems, there are strategies such as improved energy use and soil, water andwastemanagement that cancreate positive results. Opportunities to increase carbon sequestration include, inter alia, mollusc and seaweed culture in coastal areas and integration of aquaculture and agriculture activities (Bunting & Pretty, 2007; Hall, et al., 2011).

Data deficiencies in the aquaculture sector are also a key impediment to successful development. As aquaculture diversifies and the intensification of production processes continues, the need to disaggregate production data increases, since the management and governance of aquaculture may differ in different production systems. In addition, as with small-scale fisheries, data systems must improve in order to capture the full contribution of aquaculture to poverty alleviation and food and nutrition security, as well as any multiplier effects that might exist. In order for aquaculture to fulfil its potential to contribute to food and nutrition security, active support to growth and private investment will be required. Governments will also need to support the sector’s development with ensuring that enabling and adequate regulatory frameworks are in place and that innovations and technological developments – compatible with green growth – take place. An important challenge in this sector of rapid development is how to ensure that policies, incentives and institutional structures are in place that promote the desired behaviour of producers and consumers. In a world of increasing competition for resources, this includes further application of the ecosystem approach to aquaculture (EAA) and the adoption of better management practices (BMP), for example in dealing with risk to aquaculture development, such as disease management, natural disasters and stock escapement into the wild, some of which can be managed through development of risk assessment procedures and insurance markets (Secretan, et al ., 2007). Such approaches also help address cross-sectoral considerations and promotion of integrated marine governance and spatial management frameworks. 4 The way forward The future vision of the small-scale fisheries and aquaculture sectors that is fully committed to the green economy is one that is more environmentally sustainable, increases productivity and distributes the rewards of that productivity more equitably throughout dependent communities, and provides goods and services that contribute to wider poverty reduction and food and nutrition security where possible. The transition from the current status quo to sustainable development through the pathway of green economy requires active participation and commitment from all stakeholders and is inextricably linked to wider development goals that consider a human

in a Blue World

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