1. Chinese seafood consumption and implications for the Asia-Pacific Michael Fabinyi Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University and Department of Sociology, Peking University

2. Leading market for seafood

3. Implications for source countries Different economic, ecological and political opportunities and challenges related to the rise of Chinese seafood consumption

4. Summary of Talk Overview of Chinese seafood consumption Luxury seafood consumption in Beijing Live reef food fish trade in Philippines

5. Overview of Chinese seafood consumption Large data gaps: basic statistics, trade flows, consumption patterns, consumer perspectives Strong incentives for falsification of production data

6. Overview of Chinese seafood consumption FAO data refers to ‘food supply’: 26.7kg/person Government consumption data refers to ‘in- home’ consumption: 10.1kg/person Despite data limitations, clear that seafood consumption is rising steadily Key drivers: increased incomes, urbanisation

7. Overview of Chinese seafood consumption Zhou et al 2012: Food consumption trends in China Urban per capita consumption of aquatic products by region

8. Overview of Chinese seafood consumption Three types of seafood imports: re-processing and re-exporting (e.g. salmon, whitefish) fishmeal (for aquaculture) luxury high value (for domestic consumption) A focus on luxury seafood imports in this talk

9. Types of luxury seafood

12. Social drivers of luxury seafood consumption The role of the banquet in modern China Conspicuous consumption Southern Chinese cuisine

13. Crack down by Chinese government on corruption Significant impact on luxury seafood consumption Recent policy developments “Look in the mirror, fix your clothes, take a bath, and seek remedies” - Xi Jinping, President of China

14. Source countries Live reef fish for food trade (LRFFT) Highlights issues developing countries face when exporting seafood to China Estimates of trade worth about $1-2billion, 30,000 tons per year Exported mostly to China – important component of seafood banquets

15. Sadovy et al. 2003, While Stocks Last LRFFT Commodity Chain China Source

16. Figure courtesy Geoffrey Muldoon, WWF Coral Triangle

17. Ecological impacts of LRFFT Overfishing Targeting of spawning aggregations Use of cyanide Plate-sized and juvenile fish targeted

18. Fishers’ perceptions of declines in fish stocks (n = 214) % respondents who think live fish fishing trip length has increased 57% % respondents who think catch of leopard coral grouper has decreased 75% % respondents who think average size of leopard coral grouper has decreased 74%

19. Social impacts of LRFFT Health issues Distribution of financial benefits Important livelihood

20. Community level problems and issues in LRFFT fishing communities (n = 431) 1. Health care 2. Lack of or limited livelihood opportunities 3. Food security 4. Drinking/potable water supply 5. Lack of roads/ transportation 6. No electrification 7. Limited educational opportunities 8. Declining fish catch and/or depleted fishery resources 9. Lack of access to credit 10. Waste Management 11. Destruction of fishery or coastal habitats 12. Lack of access to markets for products 13. Low price of fish 14. Lack of land for agriculture 15. Peace and order situation 16. Bad weather

21. Social issues in LRFFT fishing communities Lack of viable alternative livelihoods LRFFT is a rare pathway to improved standard of living Disconnect between household interests and wider-scale interests

22. Source: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

23. Summing up… Increased Chinese seafood consumption driver of stock declines Fisheries present potential benefits but currently not realised Ongoing policy activities by state, ENGO, market actors

24. Thank you ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, JCU, Australia Prof. Liu Neng, Peking University, China Prof. Michael Pido, Palawan State University, Philippines michael.fabinyi@jcu.edu.au