people Ÿ science Ÿ environment Ÿ partners

HIV/AIDS & FISHERIES

Helen LeitchThe WorldFish Center,MALAYSIA

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OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION HIV IN FISHERIES SECTOR

WHY HIGH RISK IMPACT on FISHERIES ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES

people Ÿ science Ÿ environment Ÿ partners growth --- partnership ---- excellence

INTRODUCTION - WHY FISH

Rich food for poor people 70% of fish production & consumption in

developing countries (20% protein in SSA/ up to 75% Asia )

Micro-nutrient rich ‘ brain food’ Livelihoods depend on fish

200 million derive livelihoods from fishing/ 10 mil processing industry

Economic development $18 B net value trade to developing

countries

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INTRODUCTION - WHO WE ARE

Founded 1977 Rockefeller Fdn Non profit international research Center Provides science-based solutions to

Reduce poverty and hunger in developing countries through fisheries and aquaculture

Regional offices 12 countries (Asia/ Africa/ South Pacific) Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, DRCongo,

Projects in >20 countries

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INTRODUCTION - WHAT WE DO

R4D to reduce poverty & hunger through fisheries & aquaculture Enable productive & resilient

small scale fisheries Expand sustainable aquaculture

Outcomes sought contribute to MDGS Climate change Gender equity Human health

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HIV & FISHERIES

Fishers – a high risk community 4-14 x rate of infection in general population 20.3% in DRCongo 30.5% in Kenya (2.1 x truck drivers) 24% in Uganda (1.8 x truck drivers) 44,000 (Kenya); 33,000 (Uganda); 72,000

(Indonesia)

Reference: Kissling, Allison, Seeley et al 2005, AIDS vol 19

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HIV & FISHERIES – Why high risk

Age of fisheries – 15-35 yrs group most vulnerable to STD

High risk character of occupation Migratory nature of fishing coupled with cash

income, irregular working hours ‘Sex for fish’ & role of women in marketing chain Gender inequality compounded by poverty that

puts women at risk Fishing communities limited access to health

services

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Loss of productive adult labor Loss of livelihood – ultimately assets (boats & nets sold) Enormous strain on surviving households (orphans) Men compromised by health displace women in

processing sector Undermines co-management programs to address

fisheries management challenges Compromises food security nationally

Fisheries development HIV/AIDS

HIV & FISHERIES – Impact on fisheries

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HIV & FISHERIES – Project 1: Build capacity for control of HIV/AIDS.

Strengthen clinical & lab research capacity & collection of epidemiological & social baseline data to prepare for future HIV control programs/vaccine trials

1) Improve understanding of the impact of the socio-economic dynamics of the fisheries sector on human disease environment, and vice-versa

2) Develop good practice models for integrating medical research and socio-economic research in SSA to address these linkages

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Location: UGANDA/ MALAWI

Partners: Uganda Virus Research Institute Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical

Research Program International AIDS Vaccine Initiative University of East Anglia

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HIV & FISHERIES – Project 2: Investing in sustainable solutions Increase the contributions of the fisheries

sector to nutrition security, income and mitigate HIV/AIDS impact (1) reduce vulnerability to HIV/AIDS along

marketing chains by developing business-based options for small-scale traders and processors to reduce their risk to HIV/AIDS

(2) enhance nutrition security among vulnerable populations through small-scale aquaculture and improved fish supply chains

ADAPTING FISH FARMING TO HELP FAMILIES COPE WITH HIV/AIDS – (1,200 households in Malawi) * income doubled • 150% fish consumption • malnutrition among children dropped from 45% to 15%.

• 50% increase in farm productivity• more resilient during times of drought

IDENTIFYING AREAS SUITABLE FOR AQUACULTURE

FAO – 15% of SSA suitable for aquaculture.

GIS, biophysical & socioeconomic factors used to identify & map potential areas for pond aquaculture in Africa & Asia to aid planning & management.

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Locations: DR Congo/ Malawi/Mozambique/ Zambia/ Uganda/ Benin/Nigeria/ Cameroon

Partners: WorldFish/ FAO/ National research partners (nutrition research institutes and university departments, as well as social and economic research institutions)

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Thank you !