There is increasing recognition for future aquatic food systems to be more inclusive, sustainable and resilient. One important way to achieve this is by better integration of fisheries into irrigation systems. This natural-based solution serves to increase the mutual benefits of both sectors, including the creation of new aquatic habitat and fisheries species in irrigated lands and the enhancement of inland fisheries capture through integrative systems, such as irrigated rice farming systems.
During this virtual event, a panel of multidisciplinary experts in water security management, capacity building, research and development will further explore these opportunities and benefits from a technical, social, institutional and a policy angle. They will also discuss the importance of scaling-up this new generation of fish friendly irrigation investments to strengthen their resilience and sustainability.
Opening and closing remarks:
Matthew McCartney, Research Group Leader, Sustainable Water Infrastructure and Ecosystems, IWMI
Invited Panelists:
1. Sophie Nguyen-Khoa, Senior Advisor Water Security, Helvetas, and Lead Author for the Fish Friendly Irrigation Guide
2. Simon Funge-Smith, Senior Fishery Officer, FAO
3. John Conallin, Charles Sturt University
4. Caroline Turner, Water Resources Specialist, FAO
5. Alvin Lopez, Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist, ADB
6. H.E. Chan Sinath, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Water Resource and Meteorology (MOWRAM)
Moderator:
Mike Phillips, Director of Aquaculture and Fisheries Science WorldFish and Director of the CGIAR Research Program on Fish in Agri-Food Systems
Follow @WorldFishCenter and @IWMI_ on Twitter for more information on the event.