Netting More Ways to Keep Fish Farms Sustainable

The Straits Times

10 March 2015

Goh Tian and Jonatan A. Lassa

Can Singapore really attain more self-sufficiency in fish supplies? The recent plankton bloom causing massive fish deaths in local farms suggests a need to rethink and refocus the strategy.

SINGAPORE aims to be partly self-sufficient in three food items as part of an overall strategy to safeguard food security.

It strives for self-sufficiency for 30 per cent of egg, 15 per cent of fish and 10 per cent of vegetable supplies. Producing food locally has the additional benefit of mitigating climate change through reduced food miles.

Unlike egg and vegetable production – where layers are kept in shelters and vegetables are grown under controlled conditions – fish farms are highly dependent on water and environmental conditions.

The current plankton bloom that has caused massive fish deaths is not likely to be the last.

…The writers are researchers at the Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.

Categories:

NTS Centre / Print / Online