As the world population increases, food demands have escalated. Today, more than 1 billion people rely on fish as a source of animal protein and at least 80 million more people in the world are to be fed every year. With their heavy reliance on fish as a source of animal protein, people in developing countries will be hardest hit if the world fish stocks continue to decline. Scientific indicators are sending warning signals that many of the world s fish stocks are being depleted by heavy fishing pressure, erosion, industrialization, pollution, reclamation and accidental oil spills.
Science can also provide solution to the challenges revealed.
It is our responsibility to manage the fisheries resources based on the best information and knowledge available and in a responsible manner. This is especially important to ensure that the poor will not be deprived of a vital source of protein and that the fishing communities prosper. The World Fish Center, founded by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1977, in the Philippines was set up with the mission to improve the well-being and livelihood of present and future generations of poor people in developing countries through scientific research to improve the production, management and conservation of living aquatic resources. Located on a 5.3 hectare site formerly occupied by the Fisheries Training Center and situated adjacent to the Fisheries Research Institute, in Batu Maung, Penang, the Center serves research offices in 8 other countries namely Bangladesh, Cameroon, the Caribbean, Egypt, Malawi, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Vietnam. Currently, it has ongoing research projects in 22 countries.