Abstract

Capture fisheries are the most important contributing sector for both developed and developing countries. Throughout the developing world, the fisheries sector provides the basis for the livelihoods and nutrition of millions of people and constitutes a significant source of foreign exchange for many developing economies. Despite its considerable contributions to development, however, it is often not seen as a priority sector by policy makers or donor agencies, and activities such as aquaculture are frequently seen as relatively low-priority for the allocation of scarce resources such as water. This lack of attention to the sector is particularly problematic given that capture fisheries are currently being fished at capacity, and that further production increases will have to come from the expansion of aquaculture. There is, therefore, an important role for developing country governments to play, both in managing capture fisheries to prevent further stock depletion and in regulating the development of aquaculture to ensure that it is both environmentally sustainable and pro-poor. Under such conditions, fisheries can realize their potential as an important and growing source of economic development in rural areas.

Keywords: Capture; Fish; Prospect