A study on sustainability of Nepalese fisheries and aquaculture

Abstract

The overview of this research has been based on sustainability of Nepalese fisheries and aquaculture sector in the context of Nepal using three fundamental approaches as per Nepal government rules and regulation under Ministry of Agriculture internal plans, policies and agreements. Firstly, it is about overall basic information of the nation with status of fishing industry of Nepal, which basically is about aquatic resources and contains about its origin, history, species, structure, systems, practices, nature and resources of fisheries sector. Secondly, an overview of fisheries production, markets, trade and economic role. Similarly, focuses on the role for sustainable development, policies and plans for the general development of the sector with opportunities and challenges in the management process of fisheries and aquaculture. Although, Nepal fishery does seems to be started (1940s) from long back history but the modern technique of producing fish and systematic process of doing aquaculture has just being developing in recent years. Aquaculture is completely a new and modern way of fishery activity in Nepal. The potentials for aquaculture development in the country are considerable high because of abundant availability of natural resources such as; fisheries species, fresh water resources etc. Nepal is a habitat of 186 indigenous among which 56 are cold water species and 11 exotic fish species and has more than 5000 natural water bodies with very suitable climate condition for aquaculture. It has got potential of development because of excellent climate condition for fish breeding and nursery grounds along with fish feeds and as well as is favorable to aquatic ecosystems. Similarly, as Nepal being a Himalayan nation, the glaciers ice when melted down, it forms different natural water bodies like: rivers, lakes and other various natural fresh water resources. These fresh natural water bodies are the suitable for 59 cold water fisheries species found in Nepal and these species are even useful for aquaculture. Poor technological adaptation, poor budget funding’s, lack of proper management strategies, lack of quality fish feed and fingerlings and low market availability are some of the major problems and challenges that currently Nepalese freshwater fisheries is facing. Long-term sustainable plans, modern or scientific and technological study on various indigenous and exotic aquatic species proper hygiene management and effective disease control might improve the current and future aquaculture status of management of Nepalese fisheries sector. In its initial stage, aquaculture was done with pond culture by introducing some Indian carps because of similar geographical background and climate. Specially, the climatic condition of terai or plain region where about 94 percent of the fish ponds are located has similar weather nature with Indian climate because of common geographical nature so that, it is easy to acquire fish seeds and fish feeds. Beside, Pond culture cage fish culture and enclosure fish culture in lakes and reservoirs as well as rice-fish culture are popular production systems. Having enclosure aquaculture system means minimum management of the resources. Now a day, aquaculture has become much popular activity for being self-employed and has high returns on investment. A preliminary analysis of employment and income generation has shown that people employed in aquaculture sector have higher income potential compared to people employed in other agriculture sectors. Nepal employed about 504000 people in the country during 2003/04 fisheries and aquaculture development activities. However, there is always a question about the sustainability of these resources because of over-exploitation, managerial system, techniques and knowledge regarding fisheries management. An overview of this thesis show, that like various nation in the world, the fishing sector in Nepal mostly considered as a crucial and inseparable segment of the Nepalese community which has being passing through-out the history of Nepalese agriculture system and is evolving rapidly and contributing in economic growth, source of an employment, protein food and so on. Therefore, the potential of Nepalese fisheries and aquaculture has greater due to following factors like; the fresh water, suitable environment, aquatic resources, low labor cost, manpower and as well as on the basis of possible low investments with good return. Finally, for sustainable development of the fisheries resources the important aspects such as; climate change, conservation and protection, human impacts, managerial system, skill manpower and clear plans and policies should be taken in to consideration.