This document is primarily focused on the application of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system to the fish industry. The document reviews in detail the potential hazards related to public health and spoilage related to fish and fish products, and discuss the utilization of HACCP in different type of fish industries. It contains a chapter making clear the limitations of classical fish inspection and quality control methods based solely on the analysis of final samples. A brief introduction about the relationship between the HACCP system and the ISO 9000 series is also included. The document is completed with chapters related to cleaning and sanitation and establishments for seafood processing, primarily seen from the HACCP point of view.
This publication contains current information on the status of world sea cucumber resources and use, focusing on established countries such as China, Ecuador, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as relative newcomers to the sector such as Cuba, Egypt, Madagascar and Tanzania. Issues discussed include technical advances in artificial reproduction and farming of selected commercial species; and the report includes the recommendations of a FAO workshop on cucumber aquaculture and management, held in China, in October 2003.
This publication gives an updated review of the quantity of discards in the world's marine fisheries, using information from a broad range of fisheries in all continents. A number of policy issues are discussed including a 'no discards' approach to fisheries management, the need for balance between bycatch reduction and bycatch utilisation initiatives, and concerns arising from incidental catches of marine mammals, birds and reptiles. The report also highlights the need for more robust methods of estimating discards, and the development of bycatch management plans.
FAO has promoted the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) as an appropriate framework for the sustainable development and management of fisheries worldwide. With a view to contribute to the identification of lessons and good practices for EAF implementation, this publication documents nine case studies that attempted to put into practice some of the key principles and tools of the approach in the Mediterranean Sea. The case studies were selected to cover a broad range of contexts including smallscale and industrial fisheries operating at local, national and sub-regional scales. It was not within the scope of the publication to evaluate the level of implementation of the ecosystem approach. A specific tool for monitoring implementation is proposed and exemplified. Case studies were analysed with a view to draw preliminary lessons regarding the enabling factors that facilitated the progress made as well as the challenges faced in the transition towards EAF-based management systems. Attention is drawn to key enabling conditions such as favourable policies, legislation and regulatory frameworks, the existence of regional mechanisms for cooperation, favourable market dynamics and social processes, and the relatively low complexity of the fishery systems analysed. A set of factors emerged that contributed to progress during implementation, such as the clear definition of fishing rights, the enhancement of mechanisms for compliance, scientific monitoring and adaptation of management measures, as well as the explicit consideration of biological and socioeconomic aspects in management actions. Further progress in the transition towards sustainable management systems is hampered by external and internal factors. External factors are related, for instance, to environmental changes, the poor regulation and control of competing sectors, consumer behaviour and the governance environment. Issues such as stakeholder representation, knowledge gaps and the availability of sustainable sources of funding are among common internal factors. The authors also discuss how slow progress in the implementation of management plans can generate discredit with the institutions and add additional challenges for any future initiatives to engage stakeholders in participatory management. The case-based results and lessons of how the ecosystem approach to fisheries was considered, developed and implemented in the fisheries discussed in this publication not only contribute to the documentation of current practices in the Mediterranean but may also guide future attempts to further develop the field.
This document is intended for aquaculture development specialists, aquaculture project managers and officials and specialists involved in the planning and management of aquaculture activities. it provides an introduction to rapid rural appraisal and participatory rural appraisal for people working in these fields. the principal components of these two approaches to information collection and planning are described together with the various tools used, with a case-study to illustrate their uses and some of the issues they raise. Possible applications of the approaches for those involved in aquaculture development are given and an outline is provided of the kinds of planning and institutional context where they can be best applied. The problems and shortcomings of the approaches are also discussed and guidelines are given for the use of alternative approaches to information gathering and planning.
Carrageenan is a gelling agent extracted from red seaweeds and it has multiple applications in the food processing and other industries. Increasing demand for carrageenan has led to rapid expansion of carrageenan seaweed (primarily Kappaphycus and Eucheuma) farming in tropical areas. This expansion is expected to continue, but many issues need to be addressed to enable the sector to develop its full potential in contributing towards sustainable livelihoods, human development and social well-being. Including six country case studies and a global synthesis, this document provides a comprehensive and balanced assessment of the economic, social and governance dimensions of carrageenan seaweed farming. Information and insights provided by this document should facilitate evidence-based decision-makings in both the public and private sectors.
In Part 1, Manual, a selection of methods on fish stock assessment is described in detail, with examples of calculations. Special emphasis is placed on methods based on the analysis of length-frequencies. After a short introduction to statistics, it covers the estimation of growth parameters and mortality rates, virtual population methods, including age-based and length-based cohort analysis, gear selectivity, sampling, prediction models, including Beverton and Holt's yield per recruit model and Thompson and Bell's model, surplus production models, multispecies and multifleet problems, the assessment of migratory stocks, a discussion on stock/recruitment relationships and demersal trawl surveys, including the swept-area method. The manual is completed with a review of stock assessment, where an indication is given of methods to be applied at different levels of availability of input data, a review of relevant computer programs produced by or in cooperation with FAO, and a list of references, including material for further reading. In Part 2, Exercises, a number of exercises is given with solutions. The exercises are directly related to the various chapters and sections of the manual.
"These guidelines aim to help those who design routine data collection programmes, focusing on the relationship between typical questions asked by policy-makers and managers, and the data required for providing reliable answers. Fisheries policy and management objectives, particularly under the precautionary approach, need to be based upon analyses of reliable data. Data are needed to make rational decisions, evaluate the fisheries performance in relation to management activities and fulfil regional requirements. These objectives are achieved using fishery performance indicators. Indicators are used to measure the state of the resource, the performance of fishing controls, economic efficiency, socio-economic performance and social continuity. The primary factor in choosing what data to collect is the link between the necessary operational, biological, economic and socio-cultural indicators and their associated variables. The way in which different data variables are collected needs tobe tailored to the structure of the fishery. The strategy will be strongly influenced by the budget and personnel available, and the degree to which fishers and others co-operate. The programme must identify which variables should be collected through complete enumeration and which can be sampled. Collection methods are influenced by the variable itself, the strategy, collection point and the skill of the enumerator. Once collected, fishery data must be stored securely, but made easily available for analysis, which is achieved through a computer-based data management system, following the basic data processing principles. The implementation of a data collection programme should follow a normal project cycle, developing a new legal and institutional framework as appropriate"--Abstract.
