Perspective
Recognizing the potential of aquaculture

Conservation of genetic resources is a subject that is gradually becoming better known to the general public. But many people still think of conservation in terms of endangered species of larger animals such as the panda and the tiger. Others, who have a broader knowledge of the subject, will understand that domesticated species of crops and livestock are also becoming important areas of concern for conservation. However, an area that is equally important in the income and nutrition provided, but is still often ignored, are fish and other aquatic species. At present, inland (freshwater) aquaculture produces more than 80% of the aquaculture in the world.

Over 5,000 species of freshwater and marine fish have been utilized by humans around the world. But nearly a thousand of those species are already extinct or under threat through a variety of causes: pollution, scarcity of water, over-fishing and habitat destruction. Aquatic species have an important role to play in integrated farming systems in the future but these wild species must be conserved and managed correctly. In order to achieve this, policies for water resources management must be made in cooperation, and synergistically, with policies for living aquatic resources. It is perfectly sensible to use water to house fish-stocks, to provide food and livelihood opportunities and still be able to use the water for irrigation, domestic purposes or even to treat waste. The water should also be used to help accommodate and conserve the wealth of fish genetic resources on which we will depend in the future.

At ICLARM , the programme for biodiversity and genetic resources is currently focusing on a proposal to categorize threats to all the world's fresh water species. However, another important aspect of the programme is to identify fish species that may be suitable for genetic improvement and domestication. Domestication for aquaculture is only in it's infancy compared to domestication of crops and livestock. But, with help from colleagues in Norway, who pioneered selective breeding in salmon, ICLARM is working with partners in The Philippines on a programme for selective breeding and genetic improvement of the Nile tilapia. This important fish species is now farmed in about eighty countries around the world and the genetic gains achieved so far have been substantial. As with any domestication programme, care has to be taken that an improved, but 'alien' species, do not compete and threaten the existence of other aquatic resources occurring naturally in the ecosystem. The important aim is to find those species which will provide productive farming systems but will avoid the serious impacts that some alien species can bring about.

The majority of the world's aquatic flora and fauna has yet to be evaluated for aquaculture potential, but the Biodiversity and Genetic Resources Program works in close collaboration with ICLARM's management and productivity of marine, coastal and inland aquatic systems. Although ICLARM's primary focus is to improve fisheries and aquaculture, this also involves accounting for the biodiversity of aquatic life which feeds the harvested fish species and sustains their environment. We feel that it is vitally important that these integral parts of fish aquatic resources must be fully understood to ensure effective conservation and sustainable use in the future.

To coordinate work on genetic resources and to achieve integrated farming systems which include crops, livestock, forestry and fish, ICLARM is part of the System-wide Genetic Resource Programme (SGRP) which involves 15 of the CGIAR centres (Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research). The SGRP has been established since 1994 and the centres are already working together to achieve a united effort in work on ex-situ and in-situ conservation of genetic resources. Many problems faced in the conservation and management of genetic resources are common to species whether they are farmed or still managed in the wild. The SGRP aims to provide common activities and solutions through the collaboration of the centres. Water management is another cross-cutting theme for all research centres and I hope that more synergism will be achieved between water and other biological resources management in the future.

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