Aquaculture Policy Options For Integrated Resource Management In Subsaharan Africa

This volume, the second of three on commercial aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa, discusses access to investment capital, one of the major obstacles to the development of a sustainable commercial aquaculture in this region. Among the key problems, are the excessively high interest rates on loans; bankers' perceptions that the industry is prone to failure; the lack of understanding by farmers of the financial options available, and limited information about other commercially successful aquaculture enterprises in this area. The study argues that banks need to take a less pessimistic view of the commercial viability of such enterprises, but that borrowers should also learn to formulate and develop a clear business plan, outlining how they intend to repay the loans requested. A number of options are available to improve the situation. Such as "no-collateral" strategies, through group lending, village banks and solidarity groups, that would persuade lenders of the committment of the those wishing to set up a commercial aquaculture business. Overall a need for legal and regulatory reform, along with the institution of government loan guarantees could help develop and improve the options for a commercially viable aquaculture business.

As the world's demand for food from aquatic environments continues to increase, the importance of performing aquaculture in an environmentally responsible manner also increases. The aim of this important and thought-provoking book is to stimulate discussion among aquaculture's modern scientific, education and extension communities concerning the principles, practices and policies needed to develop ecologically and socially sustainable aquaculture systems worldwide. Ecological Aquaculture provides fascinating and valuable insights into primitive (and often sustainable) culture systems, and ties these to modern large-scale aquaculture systems. The book is edited, and authored to a considerable degree, by Barry Costa-Pierce who has assembled a team of some of the leading thinkers in the field, providing information spanning a spectrum of activities from artisanal to high technology approaches to producing aquatic organisms in a balanced and environmentally-friendly way. Ecological Aquaculture is an essential purchase for all aquaculture personnel involved in commercial, practical and research capacities. Libraries in research establishments and universities where aquaculture, biological, environmental and aquatic sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this book available on their shelves.