Aquaculture planning
Subtitle: policy formulation and implementation for sustainable development
By: by Cécile Brugère ... [et al.].
Series: FAO fisheries and aquaculture technical paper -- 542
Publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Rome
Language: eng
Number of pages: 70
ISBN-13: 9789251065716
Subjects: Planning; Fishery policy; Aquaculture
Other titles: Policy formulation and implementation for sustainable development
Description: With the dramatic recent growth of aquaculture, the planning of its development has become increasingly important. Proper planning will stimulate and guide the evolution of the sector by providing incentives and safeguards, attracting investment and boosting development. Moreover, it will help to ensure the long-term economic, environmental and social sustainability of the sector, and its ultimate contribution to economic growth and poverty alleviation. This paper provides practical guidance to aquaculture policy-makers and implementers on policy formulation and processes. It starts by reviewing governance concepts and international policy agendas relevant to aquaculture development and proceeds by defining "policy", "strategy" and "plan" while explaining common planning terminology. The paper proposes practical steps for improving policy formulation processes. These include: recognizing a timely opportunity for change; ensuring coordination and communication among stakeholders; adopting a participatory approach; learning lessons from elsewhere; and accepting that conflicts may arise and lead to hard choices. It highlights means for implementing aquaculture policies, notes the benefits of an ecosystem approach and proposes a range of instruments which, if implemented at various levels, will help progress towards the development goals for the sector. However, the successful implementation of aquaculture policies depends on overcoming challenges related to weak human capacity, institutions and monitoring systems and to inadequate financial resources. Therefore, the paper also suggests the means to do so. Central to successful planning in the aquaculture sector are coherence in the planning process and an emphasis on interdisciplinarity beyond sectoral remit through institutional collaboration, human capacity development and participation. It is also necessary to embed the chosen approaches and instruments in the principles of good governance. Together, these key elements will ensure the soundness and effectiveness of aquaculture development policies and the positive contribution of the sector.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-63).

Also available online.