Measuring the contribution of small-scale aquaculture An assessment FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture technical paper Series, Vol. 534

The FAO Expert Workshop on Methods and Indicators for Evaluating the Contribution of Small-scale Aquaculture to Sustainable Rural Development held in Nha Trang, Viet Nam, from 24 to 28 November 2009, attempted to develop an indicator system to measure the contribution of SSA. The workshop used a number of processes and steps in the developing the indicator system, including: understanding the subject of measurements; identifying an analytical framework and ratting criteria developing a list of SSA contributions; categorizing the contributions; devising and organizing the indicators of contribution; and measuring the indicators. The major outcome was the development, through an iterative process, of an indicator system which can provide a good measure of the contribution of SSA based on agreed criteria (accuracy, measurability and efficiency) and the sustainable livelihood approach analytical framework which consists of five capital assets (human, financial, physical, social and natural) and can be used for various livelihoods options.