Fisheries Research Program Strategy
Global context/trends
Demand for seafood is rising as populations grow and the health benefits of fish
consumption are more widely appreciated. The majority of fish have been provided through
capture fisheries, but on a global basis, capture fisheries are already fully exploited. Good
management, which is difficult particularly where stocks are shared across national
boundaries, is essential to ensure continued, sustainable supplies of fish from the sea.
Aquaculture, or the farming of fish, is needed to increase the supply of fish. Aquaculture of
numerous species has grown rapidly over the last few decades, and it now contributes
approximately half of all seafood consumed. More than 90% of aquaculture production is
from developing countries, mainly China and South–East Asia.
International 'fit'
Fisheries research broadly aims to address the sustainable management of wild stocks, and
the viability and effectiveness of culturing of marine and freshwater species. Good
management requires long-term monitoring to understand the size, movement and
reproductive status of exploited stocks, an understanding of the socio-economics of the
fishing community, international trade arrangements, and the political will and legislative
ability to enforce fishing regulations. In freshwaters, there are large fisheries such as those
of the Mekong and Ayeyarwady Rivers in South–East Asia. Management is more about
maintaining fisheries habitats and connectivity between habitats rather than managing catch
levels.
Aquaculture covers freshwater and marine species, and includes fish, crustaceans,
molluscs, and sea weed. Production of non-edible products such as pearls is also part of the
diverse aquaculture industry. Husbandry requires all the skills and technologies employed
for terrestrial animals, such as breeding, health management, systems design, nutrition and
genetics.
Research themes
The goal of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Fisheries
Program is to improve the livelihoods of people dependent on capture fisheries and aquaticfarming systems in partner countries and in Australia. The main focus is to build and sustain
the capacity of national research agencies in partner countries to manage capture fisheries
and aquaculture industries for:
 Food-security improvement
 Positive economic impacts on the lives of smallholders
Countries
Country
Indonesia
Timor–Leste (East
Timor)
Philippines
Papua New Guinea
Mekong countries
Pacific island
% of budget: active
projects
15
3
8
16
23
35
Fisheries Research Program Strategy
countries
Delivery on corporate goals
ACIAR Goal, to
improve:
Food and nutrition
security.

Contributions of projects in the Fisheries program
(examples)
Increasing production from inland aquaculture in Papua New
Guinea for food and income security.
Developing inland aquaculture in Solomon Islands.
Productivity and
resilience of crop,
livestock, forestry and
fisheries systems.
Smallholder and
community
livelihoods.


Management of pelagic-fisheries resources in Indonesia.
Sea ranching and restocking sandfish in Asia–Pacific.

Diversification of smallholder coastal aquaculture in
Indonesia.
Developing pearl farming and associated industries in
Pacific island countries.
Sustainable
interactions between
agricultural and
ecosystem services.
Individual and
institutional R&D
capacity.


Improving rice-shrimp farming systems in Vietnam.
Development of fish passage technology to increase
fisheries production on flood plains in the lower Mekong.

Enhancing research and project management skills in
Papua New Guinea.
Individual capacity building is a component of all projects.
The program has approximately 25 postgraduate students
associated with projects.



Future focus
The program will continue to develop projects that deliver:
 responsible management of capture fisheries and aquaculture, including the
development of innovative resource management approaches
 better utilisation of existing harvests
 the development of productive and sustainable aquatic farming systems, and
 the elimination of serious adverse environmental impacts arising from fishing or
farming practices.
Priorities identified by country partners will continue to be the primary determinant for project
selection. The type of research will vary from tactical, applied research with food security
and poverty reduction objectives that should realise benefits in the short-term, to strategic
research aimed at developing research capability where benefits will take more than 5 years
to be realised. As economies, and fisheries and aquaculture industries, mature in partner
countries, the relationship with ACIAR can move beyond project work to activities such as
acting as a network agency for partnerships, and for introducing researchers, industry
representatives and consultants.
Fisheries Research Program Strategy
Research Program Manager: Dr Chris Barlow
Phone: + 61 2 6217 0508
Facsimile: + 61 2 6217 0501
Email: chris.barlow@aciar.gov.au