Category: Information

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Report on the future of inland fisheries in Central Asia is out

This is what’s happened to inland fisheries pretty much throughout Central Asia since the fall of the Soviet Union:

fisheries

According to an FAO report just out, that is. There’s some limited scope for optimism, though.

Somewhat belatedly, attention is now being focused upon the reactivation of the fisheries sector with the emphasis very much on aquaculture as it is unlikely even in the Caspian Sea that capture fishery could ever again assume the same importance as in yesteryear. Led by private entrepreneurs, and with the active prompting of national fisheries departments and foreign donors, fisheries are being slowly restored to the developmental agenda. This is no easy task, given both the general failure to recognize the role the sector can play in national development and poverty alleviation strategies and the continued lack of legislative clarity, although the latter is gradually being rectified in a number of the countries.

It will be interesting to see whether any recovery is based on a reasonable foundation of fish diversity (Kazakhstan has 150 fish species), or just the usual one or two aquaculture suspects.

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Making changes

Changemakers is a community of action where we all collaborate on solutions. We know we have the power to solve the world’s most pressing social problems. We’re already doing it, one project, one idea at a time.

How do we do it? We talk about the issues, share stories and mentor, advise, and encourage each other in group forums, even engage in friendly competition. We form surprising connections and unexpected partnerships across the globe that turn the old ways of problem solving upside down. We try things that have never been tried before.

With regard to the competitions, the winners of the one entitled “Cultivating Innovation: Solutions for Rural Communities,” which “aims to find innovative solutions toward improving the quality of life in rural and farming communities,” were announced a few days ago. Alas, none of the three winners, worthy as they undoubtedly are, has an explicit agrobiodiversity focus. But I may be wrong, the descriptions of the projects are rather brief. The entry from the Uganda Rural Development and Training Programme, for example, mentions seed saving.

The latest competition is all about GMOs: “How can we help consumers make better, more informed choices?” You can join the debate, or submit an entry, here. The winner will get a chance to chat with the best-selling author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan. There are six weeks left to enter. If you have a new, innovative way to “help consumers become more aware of what they are eating, and discover how their choices will affect health, the environment and society,” have a go!