Food security learning quest: Define

Scenario From the tiny shrimps in fried rice to the luscious prawns we pop on the barbeque or enjoy in dishes from around the world, prawns are a tasty and nutritious addition to diet. Their increasing availability and affordability should make us ask where these prawns are coming from and how this is impacting the environment and people’s lives. In this Global Learning Quest teams investigate the environmental, social and economic benefits and costs for prawn farmers in countries of Asia and Australia to help answer the global question: Should we eat prawns? Background The prawns we eat may come from the ocean around Australia, from ‘farms’ (aquaculture), or be imported from countries in South East Asia. Prawns from the ocean are caught with large nets trawling behind boats but devices must be fitted to protect the unintended ‘by catch’ of tortoises and other fish which are discarded by the prawn fishers. Nearly one third of prawns eaten are grown through aquaculture but there are concerns about the destruction of the environment, disease, pollution and destruction of fish stock in order to intensively feed the growing prawns. The prawn industry provides valuable income for people in Australia and South-East Asia but the benefits are often greatest for the processing companies outside the fishing communities. Perspectives on the Global Question Team roles Form teams to become experts in your role. Prawn farmers from countries of Asia Your family has been farming rice on a small plot and fished for your daily needs but with the need to earn an income to pay for schooling and health care for your children you have taken out a loan to develop a prawn farm. You have cleared the mangroves, dug ponds and bought up prawn larvae for growing with fishmeal. You have had a couple of good seasons making a better income but recently disease and pollution have reduced your income. Also when fishing you have found that you are no longer able to catch other varieties of fish. It is tempting to give up and let the large overseas firms take over your debt and land. You could then reduce your worry and work on the large commercial farm. Activist for change Your research and campaigning is centred on developing more sustainable practices in the prawn industry in countries of Asia. It includes the protection and replanting of mangroves to provide a buffer against the sea and habitat for a variety of fish. You are also advocating training and income support for small prawn farmers so that environmentally friendly practices are followed and people are not forced to give up their land or crippling debt. Australian prawn farmer You earn a good living producing prawns for the Australian and export market in an environmentally friendly way. You are concerned that cheap prawns from countries in Asia are undercutting your market and that the prawns have high rates of chemicals and could bring disease into Australia. Australian researcher Australian aid has helped develop varieties of prawns and training for more sustainable techniques of aquaculture to make the prawn industry more sustainable in developing countries.