ASIA/THAILAND - Aquaculture is vital to food security in Asia

Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) – "We have to produce 30 million more [metric] tons of fish - 50 percent more - by 2030 or people will not be able to eat," said Rohana Subasinghe, a senior aquaculture specialist for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), at a meeting held in Phuket, Thailand. Scientists and policy-makers from 60 countries have gathered in Phuket to discuss the industry's progress since the last meeting in Bangkok 10 years ago. Improvements in aquaculture could be an important tool in combating Asia's increasing food insecurity. The FAO estimates that more than half the world's undernourished people - 642 million - live in the Asia and Pacific. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2010)