Applied research and experimental development requirements for the expansion and intensification of aquaculture in Latin America were identified on the basis of ten-year development plans prepared by the Governments of the region, and taking into account the local needs and desires of people most affected, impact on human nutrition, feasibility of science and technology, least time required for implementation, environmental compatibility, and contributions to social futures. Structured research and experimentation following applied systems approaches were considered essential for the evaluation, transfer, refinement, and adaption of various forms of aquaculture to the region. Multidisciplinary teams have to be organized to undertake simultaneous studies on problems affecting large-scale adoption of the main aquaculture production systems. The Task Force identified some of the major problems for investigations, but recognized that many associated problems may occur in the course of Studies and therefore research should be conducted by multidisciplinary teams. Flexibility is needed in programme development at the Regional Centre, but quick impact and commercial-scale culture were foreseen through use of pond culture of tilapia, particularly hybrids. Much interest in the culture of indigenous species was noted, and experimental work on these are recommended. Immediate opportunities for growing tilapia in cages, carp, trout and oysters at the Centre were identified, as were longer term opportunities for polyculture and for the farming of mussels and shrimps.
