Francisco
Blaha
The fisheries and aquaculture sectors are a vital source in the economies of developing world, both as a source of employment and subsistence of coastal populations.
The world-wide exports during 2004 reached USS 80 billion, half of them originated in developing countries and was to a large extent (85%) destined to developed countries.
Such is the importance of seafood in the development world, that FAO figures show that the net yields generated by fisheries and aquaculture are greater than the generated by the combined exports of tea, rice, cacao and coffee.
On the other hand, FAO estimations show that of the 15 main fishing zones of the world, 11 are in necessity of urgent management, and that 70% of the commercial species are declining.
On top of that, we needed to make sure that seafood is safe to eat and that sanitary measures do not become barriers to trade.
Then, how we maintain fishing sustainable, allowing countries to gain long term benefits, while at the same time we allow the recovery of the affected fish stocks, without damaging others?
Well... It is a massive challenge, and working some aspects of it, is the job that I do for various international agencies and some responsible fishing companies in quite a few places of the world.
The main areas of my work are explained underneath in the links.