Tourism represents the major economic sector in Aruba, with an average annual growth of 15,4% since 1988, one of the highest in the Caribbean Region; the overnight stays amounted to more than four millions nights during 1993 (DEACI, 1994). The earnings deriving from tourism, along with other important economic activities, such as oil refining and transshipment, brought the Gross Domestic Product per capital to 15.300 US $ in 1993, while the high labour demand lowered the unemployment rate to less than one percent (0,5% in 1993). Nevertheless, this economic development was accompanied by an inevitable increase in imports, hence the Government of Aruba, in order to reduce import expenses and avoid over dependence on the tourist industry, is promoting new investments in the island as well as the diversification in areas of production (Central Bank van Aruba, 1991)
The actual inability of the primary productive sectors to satisfy the home market is also evident in the Aruban fisheries sector which faces a dramatic increase in the demand for fish. Therefore, since 1990 the Government has asked for external technical assistance in planning the development of this sector, which led to the formation of the project ARU/90/002, financed by the Aruban Government. The project was implemented by FAO through UNDP during the years 1992–93 in collaboration with the Aruban Department of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries (DAHF). Project objectives included the evaluation of aquaculture as a possible alternative source of fish products in Aruba (project activities 2.1.1. and 2.1.2.), also taking into account the efforts of the local Government, together with the Curaçao and Bonaire Governments, in setting up the Fundashon Marcultura which included the building up of research and productive facilities in Bonaire and the support of its operating costs.
Project findings pointed out the heavy dependence of Aruba's market on the import of fish products. The Aruban catch contributes only 250 tons (project estimation) to a global annual sale of fish products (fresh and transformed) of about 1750 tons (Aviat, 1993). The low performance of Aruba's fishery sector has many causes (overexploited coastal stocks, lack of knowledge about the potential of demersal fish stocks, inadequate fishing equipment, strong competition from Venezuelan fishing boats- Sanhueza, 1993) As a result, the low economic return derived from fishery activity discourages operators who find more convenient employment in the tourist industry. In 1993 the full fishery sector amounted to only 20 full time fishermen and 220 fishing on a part time basis (Sanhueza, 1993).
Project recommendations (Sanders, 1994) included the adoption of better market strategies, more hygienic conditions, the continuation of experimental fishing and the improvement of the fishing fleet. Aquaculture was considered a possible source of complementary products and an investment option of interest to private investors. The importance of the advice of Fundashon Marcultura's staff on the development of this sector in Aruba was stressed (recommendation 8).
Because of this recommendation, the terms of reference for the mission of the aquaculture expert included a visit to the Fundashon Marcultura facilities in Bonaire at the beginning of the consultancy.
The mission's itinerary as well as the list of the persons met are shown in appendix 1, while the relevant documents consulted are listed in appendix 2
