prospects and problems for
mariculture in hong kong associated with wild-caught seed and feed
Y.J. Sadovy,
P.P.F. Lau-2002
Aquaculture Economics and Management, 6(3&4):
177-190
Abstract:
Mariculture has the potential to supplement world
seafood supplies and generate livelihoods and income. It can only do this,
however, if it is sustainably practiced in relation to the input of natural
resources on which much of it continues to depend. There is, therefore, a
need to understand the links between inputs from wild sources, such as fish
seed and fish feed, and mariculture practices. Such links are often not
considered, with mariculture typically viewed in complete isolation from the
status of its natural resource inputs. The mariculture industry in Hong Kong
is evaluated, as a case study, in terms of fish and feed inputs, some of
which continue to be derived from wild sources. It is argued that better use
of wild resources, and a clearer understanding of the links between culture
and capture, would provide many benefits to the mariculture industry, and,
more broadly, to seafood supply through mariculture in general. Possible
directions of development for the local industry include the widespread
adoption of pellet feed and hatchery poduction of juveniles. While regional
economic factors will invevitably determine the operation of the industry in
the short-term, the biological contraints identified in this paper must be
considered for long-term persistence of mariculture operations at the
regional levels as well as to ensure better use of natural resources.
(Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The
University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, S.A.R. China, Tel: (852)
2299 0603, Fax: (852) 2517 6082, e-mail: yjsadovy@hkusua.hku.hk)