First  Announcement

International Conference on
Effective Land-Water Interface Management for Solving Agriculture-Fishery-Aquaculture Conflicts in Coastal Zones

1 – 3 March 2005, Bac Lieu, Vietnam

organized by
World Fish Center
 International Rice Research Institute
International Water Management Institute
People’s Committee of Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam
Can Tho University, Vietnam

BACKGROUND

Coastal zones are home to over 50% of the world’s population and support much of the world’s food production, industry, transportation and recreation needs, while also delivering vitally important ecosystem services. However, ecological and socio-economic vulnerability and risk in these zones are critical issues. People living in this sub-ecosystem are among the poorest and the most food-insecure.

Because agricultural production in coastal zones is hindered by seawater intrusion during the dry season, one common strategy is to construct embankments and install sluice gates to keep out saline water. This strategy fails to recognize the diversity of rural livelihoods in coastal zones, and the environmental consequences for water quality and aquatic biodiversity. In some other areas, widespread spontaneous intake of saline water for shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farming leads to social and environmental disruption. The conflict among different resource uses at the interface between fresh and saline water is common in deltaic coastal areas of Asia

This International Conference will focus on the inland coastal zones affected by salinity intrusion in parts of the year and comprehensively assess their sound management to address conflicts among resource uses for the benefit of the poor and for environment sustainability.

Results from the conference contribute to the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture (www.iwmi.org/assessment/), a collaborative program designed to provide an assessment of the water-food-livelihoods-environment nexus to guide future investments in using water for food.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this conference are:

1.  To provide an assessment of the dependence of farmers and fishermen on coastal zone resources, and the ecological implications of resource use based on case studies and participants’ experience
2. To identify processes in, and tools for managing the land-water interface for solving agriculture-fishery-aquaculture-ecosystem conflicts in coastal areas
3. To exchange the findings on land-water interface management from case studies in various countries
4. To develop concept notes on comprehensive assessment frameworks for coastal zones and identify research collaboration opportunities

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

Expected outputs from the Conference are:

1. A proceedings of the conference publishing presented papers.
2. Key messages and supporting research as input into the Comprehensive Assessment process.
3. Identification of actions that can be taken, future research needs, and collaborative efforts to solve problems.

IMPORTANT DATES

GENERAL INFORMATION

Language:      English

Co-Sponsors:

• Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management for Agriculture (http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/assessment/)
• Challenge Program on Water and Food (http://www.waterforfood.org)
• World Fish Center, WorldFish, Malaysia (http://www.worldfishcenter.org)
• International Rice Research Institute, IRRI, Philippines (http://www.irri.org)
• International Water Management Institute, IWMI, Sri Lanka (http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org)
• People’s Committee of Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam

Call for Papers

Details forthcoming in 2nd Announcement and on conference website.

Conference Program

1- 2 March 2005: presentation and discussion

3 March: field trip to selected sites in coastal areas in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Details forthcoming in second announcement and on the conference website

International organizing committee

Dr. Mark Prein (World Fish Center, WorldFish, Malaysia)
Dr. Eric Baran (World Fish Center, WorldFish, Malaysia)
Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang (People’s Committee of Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam)
Dr. To Phuc Tuong (International Rice Research Institute, IRRI, Philippines)
Dr. David Molden (International Water Magement Institute, IWMI, Sri Lanka)
Dr. Chu Thai Hoanh (International Water Magement Institute, IWMI, Sri Lanka)
Dr. John Gowing (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)

Local organizing committee

Mr. Diep Chan Ben (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bac Lieu)
Dr. Duong Van Ni (Can Tho University, Vietnam)
Dr. Nguyen Van Nhan (Integrated Resources Mapping Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
Ms. Nguyen Thi  Van Hong, ntvhong@ctu.edu.vn

Venue

People’s Committe of Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam

Location and weather

Bac Lieu Province is located on the southeast of the Mekong River Delta, 280 km (6 hours by car) from Ho Chi Minh City. Temperature at the beginning of March is 24 ^oC - 32 ^oC. No rain.

Accommodation

To be announced in the Subsequent announcements

Contact address

Dr. Chu Thai Hoanh, IWMI, cthoanh@cgiar.org

Dr. To Phuc Tuong, IRRI, t.tuong@cgiar.org

Dr. Mark Prein (WorldFish), m.prein@cgiar.org

Dr. Duong Van Ni, CTU, dvni@ctu.edu.vn

Visa, transport and accommodation arrangement

Ms. Nguyen Thi  Van Hong, ntvhong@ctu.edu.vn

Dr. Duong Van Ni, CTU, dvni@ctu.edu.vn