A World Water Week session exploring the challenges and opportunities for better integrating fisheries in irrigation for improved food and nutrition security and environmental health.
Date: Tuesday, 24 August 2021
Time: 13:00-14:25 (UTC+8)
Watch the event recording:
Each year, 12 Mt of aquatic foods caught in inland fisheries provide the primary source of animal protein and essential micronutrients for at least 200 million people worldwide. They are vital for livelihoods, human health and wellbeing. Despite their importance, inland fisheries are invariably overlooked in water planning, including most irrigation development. By destroying habitat and blocking fish movement, irrigation often has negative impacts on inland fisheries.
During Stockholm World Water Week, WorldFish in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute gathered experts in food and nutrition security, water development and irrigation management in a panel to share insights on why fish-friendly irrigation is critical in food systems transformation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The panel focused on current investments into water management and irrigation development, diving into the importance of delivering acceptable returns in integrated systems to improve food security, enhance nutrition and minimize environmental impacts in both Asia and Africa.
Opening Remarks:
Rachael McDonnell, Deputy Director General, Research for Development, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Research Presentations:
Simon Funge-Smith, Senior Fishery Officer, FAO
Chaiwat Prechawit, Vice President Hon., International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage (ICID)
Sophie Nguyen-Khoa, Senior Advisor, Water Security, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation
Breakout Room Leads:
Mark Dubois, Officer in Charge, Sustainable Aquaculture, WorldFish
Sanjiv de Silva, Senior Regional Researcher, Natural Resources Governance, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Priyanie Amerasinghe, Senior Researcher, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Closing Remarks:
Michael Phillips, Director of Aquaculture and Fisheries Science, WorldFish & Director of the CGIAR Research Program on Fish Agri-Food Systems (FISH)
Moderator:
Matthew McCartney, Research Group Leader, Sustainable Water Infrastructure and Ecosystems, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Follow WorldFish and the hashtag #aquaticfoods to check out past conversations on Twitter.
