PHASE 5

Box 21: FAO Strategy of BBB in the Agricultural and Fishing Sectors

Coastal Agriculture: The restoration of sustainable agricultural activities is dependent on the rehabilitation of damaged agricultural areas and infrastructure, e.g. reclamation of salt-affected soils, appropriate land-use planning, and the adjustment of cropping systems. Agriculture and home gardening are major activities along coastal zones but cannot be isolated from other activities, including fisheries, forestry and tourism, and must be integrated into multi-sector approaches balancing increased productivity and resource preservation.

Forest and Agricultural Business: Rehabilitation of mangrove forests is to be planned within the context of integrated coastal area management. Otherwise, it could have negative effects on the local people (e.g. dislocation, restricted access to coastlines by fishers, the occupation of farmland). Planting coastal shelterbelts, replanting timber and fruit trees, and restoring small timber-milling facilities would serve to protect inland assets and improve household economies.

Fisheries: Damaged fishing vessels must be repaired according to minimum specifications of seaworthiness. Fishery-related ecosystems, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, should be protected through zoning (e.g. restricted-use and non-use). Fishing gear and practices must be compatible with responsible fisheries and sustainable use of resources through marine-culture such as fish pens/cages and seaweed culture.

General Recovery: The huge demand for wood for reconstruction may result in over-logging of forests. For example, indications are that illegal logging is on the rise in Aceh Province, where the estimated volume of wood needed for reconstruction is eight times the amount of wood harvested legally each year.