James F. Muir’s research while affiliated with University of Stirling and other places

• Fish or aquatic foods are an important but often little recognized element in food security and nutrition, and fish supply will have to be expanded significantly if future population needs are to be met. • Prices will probably rise with increasing demand, and there are concerns that fish can be accessible and affordable to poorer and more vulnerable people, particularly those who are highly dependent on fish for nutrition or income. • Capture fisheries are under increasing pressure from overfishing, climate change, and other impacts, and future supply increases will have to come from aquaculture, which may have to double or triple in output. • This is potentially feasible with available land and water resources, but dependence on fish-based feeds, a significant feature of the recent growth of aquaculture, will have to be reduced substantially, using species feeding lower in the aquatic food chain, and more terrestrially derived feeds for more demanding species. • With a diverse range of species, and a well placed selection of systems and production approaches, access to lower cost aquatic foods also has the potential to be sustained and expanded.

Over 5 years of participatory on-farm research, market access, profitability, farming systems productivity and economic sustainability were compared on 100 small-scale farms in Central Cameroon. Integration technology based on the use of agricultural by-products as fishpond inputs was the driver for intensification. Over all farms, fishpond productivity increased from 498kg to 1609kg fish/ha (2145kg/ha/yr). During the project period, the number of active fish farmers increased from 15 to 192 (including 55 farms which participated only through information exchange). Over all farms, net returns from aquaculture increased by 5 times over pre-project levels. Productivity, intensity and profitability increased more significantly in periurban areas with good market access, compared to rural areas. Among farmers with good market access, average net income from the aquaculture enterprise rose from $118 up to$1485. Research-Extension Team (RET) support cost an average of $61,300 per year. Over 5 years, rural farmers recaptured 23% of the relevant RET investment compared to 442% by periurban farmers. Likewise, increase in production attributable to RET intervention was higher for periurban (253%) compared to rural (11.3%) fish farmers. Within 3 years of the end of extension support, rural farmers had returned to pre-project production levels, whereas periurban farms had better maintained their productivity and profitability. Findings indicate that, in areas with little or no access to markets, the number of fishponds and fish farmers can be increased and yields improved, increasing local food supplies, but sustainability in the absence of extension subsidies is questionable. To achieve either of the two principal goals for the sector, food security and/or poverty alleviation, investments need to be made in improving the availability of quality technical assistance to targeted farmers and finding means of reducing social conflict arising from perceived inequalities in the accrual of the benefits of development.

The aim of the present study is to measure the driving forces that take place at the Mecoacan estuary, Tabasco. Although aquaculture practices have been implemented as an alternative to fishing, and to improve the current levels of fisheries' productions, the results showed that conditions within Mecoacan fisheries have deteriorated significantly. The reduction of access to resources and formal regulation through fishing cooperatives were demonstrated to have a significant effect on the integration of aquaculture into the livelihood portfolio of local communities. Considering the trends for international economic integration, it is impossible to conceive a sustainable livelihoods strategy that is isolated from the global context. Results suggest that actual aquaculture establishment appears to fall within current cultural norms, and it may play an important role in the development of the Mecoacan estuary. Therefore, a major challenge is to create new policies that reduce the changes in social parameters that disperse benefits distribution, through the incorporation of socioeconomic and resource management aspects in the coastal zone of Tabasco.

The southern Mexican states on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico produce approximately 85% of the total national oil production. The region has also attracted attention due its important economic influence in terms of fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture, and for its ecosystem diversity. The justification for more integrated approaches to aquaculture development is significant, as coastal aquaculture has brought economic and employment benefits to both national economies and coastal people. The aim of this study is the analysis of Mecoacan fishing communities’ perception on coastal resources management and to assess group awareness of the potential benefits and impacts of coastal aquaculture. Although aquaculture practices have been implemented as an alternative to fishing and to improve current levels of fisheries production, the results showed that conditions within Mecoacan fisheries have deteriorated significantly, as collective aggregation is not producing a positive outcome for the local communities. However, fishermen regarded the restructuring of fishing organisations as a means of integrating employment and income generation alternatives such as aquaculture practices. Therefore, a key to success will be to demonstrate the ability of good coastal management to promote capacity building within coastal communities in the context of a participatory intervention strategy through formal and informal organisations.

The aim of this study is the measurement of driving forces taking place at the Mecoacan estuary, Tabasco using the sustainable livelihoods approach. Although aquaculture practices have been implemented as an alternative to fishing and to improve current levels of fisheries production, the results showed that conditions within Mecoacan fisheries have deteriorated significantly, as collective aggregation is not producing a positive outcome for the local communities. The reduction of access to resources and formal regulation through fishing cooperatives were demonstrated to have a significant effect on the integration of aquaculture into the livelihood portfolio of local communities. Considering the trends for international economic integration, it is impossible to conceive a sustainable livelihoods strategy that is isolated from the global context. Results suggest actual aquaculture establishment appears to fall within current cultural norms, and it may play an important role in the development of the Mecoacan estuary. Therefore, a major challenge is to create new policies that reduce the changes in social parameters that disperse benefits distribution, through the incorporation of socioeconomic and resource management aspects in the coastal zone of Tabasco.

Following an assessment of Mexican water resources by governmental agencies in the late 1940's, Tabasco State was identified as a potential area for aquaculture development, as the State holds 30% of National water resources and an important share of Southeast Mexican fisheries, particularly for oyster production. However, conflicts and competition for coastal resources between the expanding oil industry and fishing communities are escalating, with consequences including severe environmental degradation. Though a number of aquaculture-linked development initiatives have been promoted, evidence suggests that issues of social benefit, integrated development and livelihood enhancement are poorly understood. This paper reports the findings of preliminary social and economic surveys of coastal communities engaged in aquaculture operations, and suggests that current approaches are unlikely to deliver benefit effectively as key issues have not been addressed. Preliminary recommendations are made based on trends and issues of particular importance to coastal communities, to improve livelihoods through better access to resources and infrastructure.