Since the FAO Technical Conference on Aquaculture held in Kyoto in 1976, aquaculture has gone through major changes, ranging from small-scale household activities to large-scale commercial farming. Over the past three decades, the sector has expanded, diversified, intensified and advanced technologically. As a result, its contribution to food production has increased significantly. A large proportion of global aquaculture production comes from small-scale producers in developing countries, especially in Asia. It significantly contributes to food security, poverty alleviation and social well-being in many countries. The contributions of aquaculture to trade, both local and international, have also increased over recent decades and its share in the generation of income and employment for national economic development has increased - globally.
Recognizing the growing importance of aquaculture as the contribution of capture fisheries would be stabilized or even decreased in the near future, FAO has collaborated with NACA (Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia and the Pacific) in organizing the Conference on Aquaculture in the Third Millennium in Bangkok in February 2000. The Conference which was hosted by the Government of Thailand reviewed the progress made since the Kyoto Conference, present status of aquaculture and discussed future opportunities and role that aquaculture could play within the context of future development, from the local to the global level. The Conference adopted the Bangkok Declaration and Strategy on Aquaculture Development Beyond 2000 which undoubtedly became major guidelines for policy-makers and aquaculture operators worldwide, especially those in the developing countries.
The Declaration addresses the role of aquaculture in alleviating rural poverty and improving livelihoods and food security while maintaining the integrity of biological resources and the sustainability of the environment. The Strategy comprises 17 elements that focus on measures that governments, the private sector and other concerned organizations can incorporate into their development programmes for the aquaculture sector. It also highlights the need for regional and inter-regional cooperation and coordination to assist in its implementation.
In order to assist Member States of FAO in implementing these Declaration and Strategy, the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific has assigned Mr. Damrong Silpachai, a well recognized Thai expert on aquaculture, to look into various issues as given in the Declaration and Strategy and recommend action required to support its implementation by the Member States. Specific case studies are also conducted in Bangladesh and the Philippines which will be published in due course. It is our sincere hope that this document would elaborate further the importance and future role of aquaculture in the region and in particular the need to strengthen cooperation and coordination among concerned agencies/organizations for sustainable aquaculture development.
Veravat Hongskul
Senior Fishery Officer
FAO Regional Office for
Asia and the Pacific
December 2001
