1. On the kind invitation of the Government of Ecuador, the Second Session of the Working Party on Aquaculture of the Commission for Inland Fisheries of Latin America (COPESCAL) was held from 22 to 26 September 1986 at the Instituto Nacional de Pesca in Guayaquil.
2. The session was chaired by Dr R. Jiménez Santistevan, Director of the Instituto Nacional de Pesca. Participants included Working Party members from Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela as well as other aquaculture experts from the region. Also participating were the representative of the Organización Latinoamericana de Desarrollo Pesquero (OLDEPESCA), FAO's Regional Fisheries Officer and the Director and Assistant Director of the Regional Aquaculture Project (GCP/RLA/075/ITA). The names and addresses of the members of the Working Party as well as the other regional experts who attended the session are given in Annex A. The agenda and the list of documents are provided in Annex B and C respectively.
3. The opening ceremony was attended by the Under-Secretary of Fisheries Resources, Attorney Luis Gómez Bejarano, the Director of the Instituto Nacional de Pesca, Dr Roberto Jiménez Santistevan, the Advisor to the Under-Secretary of Fisheries, Mr Rafael Horna, the Assistant Director of the Fisheries Institute, Mr E. López, and the FAO Representative in Ecuador, Mr R. Scavazzón.
4. On behalf of the Director-General, the FAO Representative thanked the Government of Ecuador for hosting the Second Session of the COPESCAL Working Party on Aquaculture and welcomed the participants. He stressed FAO's keen interest in aquaculture, particularly the production of protein for human consumption. He emphasized the importance to Latin America and the Caribbean of this Working Party comprised of regional experts responsible for identifying to COPESCAL and FAO priority areas for the development of inland aquaculture in Latin America.
5. In his opening statement, the Under-Secretary for Fisheries Resources welcomed the participants and thanked FAO and the COPESCAL Secretariat for their work in organizing the Session. He remarked on the importance of aquaculture in Ecuador, particularly with regard to shrimp culture, a major production sector. He also mentioned Ecuador's current emphasis on the development of inland aquaculture.
6. Following the opening ceremony, the Secretary of COPESCAL personally thanked the local coordinator, Dr Roberto Jiménez, for his efficient handling of protocol arrangements with his Government, which had considerably speeded the organization of the Session. He then reviewed COPESCAL's terms of reference, membership and the countries co-chairing the Commission (Cuba, Mexico, and Panama). He announced that the Under-Secretary of Fisheries of Mexico, Lic. F. Castro y Castro, would participate in the closing ceremony.
7. He outlined the objectives of COPESCAL Working Parties and the responsibilities of their members, as well as the mechanisms linking them to the FAO Technical Secretariat, particularly for those experts participating for the first time. Alluding to the terms of reference of the Working Party on Aquaculture, he mentioned some of the results already achieved through cooperation among the experts comprising the three Working Parties and the FAO Secretariat. These included the publication of the country reports on aquaculture submitted to the previous Session, an inventory of introduced species in the region, a bibliographical compendium of inland water fish and the standardization of technical and scientific terminology for aquatic sciences and fisheries.
8. He drew attention to the importance of continuity in the programmes of work and exchanges of information during inter-sessional periods. With respect to technical information originating in the region, he gave examples of specialized journals such as OLDEPESCA's Revista Latinoamericana de Acuicultura and COPESCAL's Technical and Occasional papers published by FAO and widely distributed to libraries in the countries of the region. He also referred to COPESCAL's Newsletter, launched by the Working Party on Fisheries Resources as a quick means of disseminating data and news of interest to experts. However, if the COPESCAL Newsletter is to fulfil this function, national correspondents and members of the three Working Parties must send the Secretary the “news” they wish to communicate to their colleagues.
9. Commenting the importance of coordinating aquaculture activities in the region, he expressed satisfaction that both the Second Session of COPESCAL's Working Party on Aquaculture and the Tenth Session of OLDEPESCA's Regional Aquaculture Project had been held in the same place and on consecutive dates which had made possible better use of participants' time, a wider exchange of experiences among regional experts, and better coordination of activities.
10. The experts provided an update on the country statements presented to the First Session of the Working Party on Aquaculture (FAO, FIR/R294, Supl.). The Technical Secretary asked for a focus on topics which could lead to specific technology exchange programmes among COPESCAL member countries. He also asked members to report on progress achieved and to include production figures, if possible by species, especially for Tilapia, since the quantities produced in the region are unknown.
11. The country reports given in Annex D of this Report were then presented. The 1985 aquaculture production figures of the countries participating in this Working Party are given in Annex E. Action proposed in response to these and other recommendations appear in Annex F.
12. Recommendations of the Working Party arising out of country reports and proposed action.
Given the urgent regional need for a sub-centre for research training and fish pathology, the Working Party recommended that those which had offered to set up such a sub-centre submit their proposed programme of work to the Technical Secretary, including a detailed description of the services they were prepared to offer, available infrastructure and human resources, and a curriculum vitae for each person involved.
It was recommended that a workshop on red tides be held to review and standardize methodologies for the monitoring, collection and storage of samples, bio-assays and control mechanisms. It was suggested that the workshop be held in Venezuela and that a brief report on the subject be published afterwards. Experts from Ecuador and Venezuela were designated to organize the workshop.
Considering the experiences reported by the experts of the Working Party with respect to aquaculture investment patterns, it was recommended that the planners time investments to ensure an adequate flow of financial resources for the operational aspects of projects.
It was suggested that a list be drawn up of the regulations in force in member countries concerning the establishment of marine shrimp farms and the environmental impact that these cultures are likely to cause. Experts from Venezuela and Ecuador were designated to draw up this list and, subsequently, to issue a brief report.
Bearing in mind the opportunity offered by Odontestes bonariensis, “pejerrey de rio”, to increase production and use of lakes and lagoons in the upper Andes and, considering that even in countries of the region with a genuinely tropical climate there are highland areas where temperatures range from 16°C to 20°C which contain no suitable fish species, it was recommended that all available data be compiled on this species particularly data relevant to the southern sub-region. This work will be done by the Peruvian expert, who will coordinate all necessary activities. His findings will be submitted to COPESCAL's Technical Secretary for inclusion in one of its occasional papers.
It became clear during the working sessions that all universities in the region should be involved in the research activities of the National Aquaculture Programmes. It was therefore recommended that all country experts prepare summaries of existing aquaculture plans showing the extent of university participation in specific research projects. This will provide an overall view of the general situation and enable practical measures to be formulated to strengthen the link between the universities and the programmes. The summaries must be submitted by the experts to the Colombian member of the Working Party on Aquaculture who, with the assistance of the Mexican and Venezuelan experts, will review the material and submit their findings to the Technical Secretary of the Working Party.
In view of the urgent need for technically and economically viable technologies to increase aquaculture production in the countries of the region and the considerable interest expressed in the subject at the meeting, it was recommended that project GCP/RLA/075/ITA lend support to regional aquaculture activities in Latin America and the Caribbean and promote the identification, evaluation, preparation and dissemination of technological packages. To make this possible, it was further recommended that the Project make use of all existing regional and extra-regional data and human and financial resources.
Tilapia has been a potentially significant resource for the countries of the region and now represents a considerable volume of the total fresh water aquaculture output of some countries. In others special problems and/or technology constraints have made tilapia culture unfeasible. So as to ascertain the current status of tilapia culture and determine its prospects, it was suggested that the experts from COPESCAL member countries prepare a brief study, based on the guidelines (Annex G). A practical, clear and objective report on this data is needed, not an extensive study.
Some of the audiovisual material produced in different parts of the region, on aquaculture projects or related subjects is of great regional interest. It was therefore recommended that this material be channelled to FAO's Technical Secretariat and a rational selection made for distribution and dissemination as appropriate.
It was recommended that the Aquaculture Directory, prepared by FAO's Latin American Office, be updated and distributed to the members of the Working Party, COPESCAL's national correspondents in the countries not participating in this session and existing national aquaculture associations.
The terms of reference of this Working Party do not extend to mariculture, but the participants thought it would make sense to take advantage of the presence of a number of mariculture experts to discuss some of the major mariculture problems. They identified several topics which they felt deserved thorough attention.
13. The Project document for the establishment of the Latin American Regional Aquaculture Centre (CERLA), (FAO/UNDP/RLA/76/010), was signed in November 1977; activities commenced in April 1981. Initially, 13 Latin American countries endorsed the establishment of the Centre. The Project objectives were: (a) to undertake applied research, (b) to provide training in aquaculture for high-level staff and (c) to establish an aquaculture information system.
14. The Project's most significant achievements in the field of applied research include the development of preliminary rural and commercial modules for the production of Colossoma mitrei (pacu) and C. macropomum “tambaqui”. Under its training component, some 70 students (initial target 90) were trained in the three one-year courses 1981 to 1984. The informatics system is not yet fully established, but students are being trained in data collection and processing techniques.
15. At the first meeting of the Advisory Committee (1982), the country delegates requested that the Project, FAO, the member countries and the host country seek financing for continued Centre operations. While negotiations on the subject were underway, an FAO proposal, to the Italian Government was approved.
16. The Project has published a number of reports, a brochure on the Centre and the Project, and a number of technical papers and training manuals which are now being prepared for printing. The reports of the first and second meetings of the Advisory Committee ('82 and '84) were also published. The final report of Project RLA/76/010-UNDP/FAO is ready and will be distributed shortly.
17. The major project constraints were:
the significant budgetary cuts which hit the regionalization of research, the preparation and dissemination of technological packages and the identification and selection of national centres to be linked with the project.
The shortage of international experts available to work full-time on the project.
Managerial-level coordination and communication problems between the Project and the National Agency.
18. Before signing the new Project document, the host country decided that from 1986 onwards the name of the Centre at Pirassununga would be the (Centro de Pesquisa e Treinamiento em Aquicultura) (CEPTA) and not the (Centro Regional Latinoamericano de Acuicultura) (CERLA).
19. Project GCP/RLA/075/ITA, “Apoyo a las actividades regionales de acuicultura en América Latina y el Caribe” (Support for Regional Aquaculture Activities in Latin America and the Caribbean) with Italian Government funding of some US$ 4.5 million, was signed in November 1985 as a natural follow-up to previous Center activities, although with much broader objectives. Immediately after signature, the staff of the former Project (FAO/UNDP/RLA/076/010), already established in Pirassununga, launched a number of activities.
20. The situation with respect to the three project components is as follows:
Training: the fourth annual course begun in January 1986, with 36 participants will terminate in December. Talks are underway with the Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina concerning conferring M.A. status on the course, which would mean redefining its objectives during 1987. Immediate improvements planned are: (i) reciprocal exchanges among teachers from the countries of the region to promote horizontal cooperation; (ii) integrated training and research; (iii) short courses in other Latin American countries as a regional project activity.
Research: Follow-up of technological package objectives; integration of the Brazilian activity with parallel projects in other countries of the region.
Data: The Project will implement an aquaculture information system which will be adopted by the regional sub-centres subsequent to FAO approval. Other activities in this field are the publication of the Newsletter and such field documents as manuals and instruction sheets containing various research findings.
21. One serious problem is that the planned regionalization process, involving a series of activities, was not allocated sufficient budget resources. While awaiting possible further financing by the Italian Government for a second phase, it has been considered advisable to undertake a review of project activities to determine which might be financed under the current budget. The idea, which was discussed with FAO Headquartes and the Italian Government has been accepted in principle, but must be examined and approved at a tripartite meeting in which the host country will participate.
22. Potential activities which could be developed are short courses and some research: (a) by the international staff already on the project, (b) by consultants and, (c) via the provision of incentives to local staff and the purchase of some equipment in the countries for which these activities are planned.
23. With respect to the CERLA Regional Project, the Working Party drew attention to the extremely uneven results achieved so far and expressed their concern that the resources now available to the FAO/Italy Project needed to be put to better use to provide greater benefits for the countries of the region. In conclusion, the Working Party:
noted the budgetary difficulties in financing regional activities in countries other than brazil, due to the cuts made in the Project's budget by the Italian Government at the time of approval.
Supported the FAO/ITA Project Manager's proposal to launch activities in some countries of the region, to be financed through amendments to the current FAO/ITA Project budget.
Recommended that the countries, in cooperation with the FAO/ITa Project, seek additional sources of financing for these activities.
Strongly recommended that in addition each participant act in his respective country as he considered most appropriate to encourage government-level initiatives asking FAO to review the project in order to include as far as possible, activities of regional interest which could be carried out in other countries of the region.
With respect to the course offered at the Pirassununga Centre under the auspices of the FAO/Italy Project, the Working Party recognizes the right of the host country to have a larger quota of students than the other countries. It nevertheless recommended that in every annual course each country of the region should have the opportunity of sending at least one participant. It was further recommended that the places remaining unfilled after an initial selection had been made, be assigned to candidates of the region on the basis of the respective countries' need for staff training in aquaculture.
24. The Secretary of the Commission presented the recommendations of its Fourth Session (Havana, Cuba, January 1986) with respect to aquaculture, in particular the topics listed below. He also reported on the progress achieved.
A Seminar on Tilapia Marketing and Distribution
In order to obtain the necessary preliminary data, FAO recruited a regional expert to collect relevant data not available at FAO's data base. Participants from tilapia-producing countries agreed to send the data available in their respective countries to the Technical Secretary.
A Study of Subsistence Fish Farming Techniques for Possible Inclusion into the Mainstream of Agricultural Practices
The Regional Fisheries Officer reported that FAO's Regional Office had already prepared and was distributing a study on the use of biodigestor effluents in fish culture and was also planning to hold a seminar on the subject.
Identification of Funding to Provide Training Courses or Fellowships in Fish Pathology
The Secretary reported that sources of financing for this purpose had not yet been identified. The Working Party reiterated the need for training in this field.
A Regional Seminar on the Role of Aquaculture in Rural Development
The Regional Fisheries Officer reported that the Regional Office had already published and distributed two documents on the subject and that another was being prepared. These could serve as background papers for the seminar. The Working Party considered this seminar to be a matter of priority. A number of alternatives were discussed: (a) one country might host the seminar with the cooperation of FAO and other regional and/or international bodies; or it might be held with the FAO/ITA Regional Project. The representative of OLDEPESCA confirmed his Organization's willingness to help organize the event.
A Seminar on the Technical Problems of Unappetizing Taste Properties of Cultured Species
The Secretary reported that FAO had recruited a regional expert to compile and process basic information on the subject. This would be published in COPESCAL's Technical Papers series.
Preparation and Publication of A Manual on Extensive Aquaculture in Small Dams
The Secretary reported that the manual was being prepared by Cuban experts specially recruited by FAO. The Working Party agreed that Cuba had the most experience in the subject.
(vii) A Workshop on Stock Assessment and Fisheries Management in Small Lakes and Dams
The Regional Fisheries Officer reported that Cuba had confirmed its offer to host the Workshop and was also considering the possibility of providing board and lodging for the seminar participants. It was likely to be held in 1987.
25. The Secretary explained the aquaculture statistical system FISHSTAT.AQ, recently launched by FAO's Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Service, and circulated a copy of the forms distributed by FAO to member countries early in 1986 for the purpose of collecting relevant data. He pointed out that almost all the countries of the region had completed and returned this form and asked the participating experts from the countries who had not yet replied to urge their respective countries to do so.
26. The participants of the Working Party commented on the situation with regard to aquaculture statistics in their respective countries. Generally speaking, most of the participating countries encounter similar difficulties in collecting and processing aquaculture statistical data and all are making significant efforts to overcome them. However, the Working Party recognized that in most cases there was no national service dealing specifically with aquaculture statistics. Colombia, Mexico and Panama are exceptions to this rule in that they already possess a service/section for statistical data within their respective aquaculture agencies or departments.
The Secretary asked the participating experts to comment on the list of data and terminology used in the FISHSTAT.AQ form. Suggestions and doubts with respect to the meaning of certain terms and questions concerning the form were noted by the Secretary and will be forwarded to the appropriate FAO department.
In an attempt to surmount these difficulties immediately and ensure that data would be provided in a standardized form, the Secretary suggested the writer clearly state the interpretation given to the respective questions when completing the form.
27. The Working Party acknowledged the importance of and need for reliable data at national level, not only for research purposes, but also for the planning of aquaculture activities. It recommended that the Commission support the establishment and/or strengthening of these national services and that FAO lend technical support for projects by providing consultants and/or distributing relevant documents.
28. In introducing this topic, the Regional Fisheries Officer referred to the technical cooperation networks system, promoted by FAO's Regional Office, which has shown itself to be an efficient mechanism for tecnological exchange and a means of giving a fresh boost to regional integration.
29. He explained the role of the recently established regional cooperation network in aquaculture, in which some Central American and Caribbean countries (Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama) are participating. One of the specific objectives of this network is to deal with matters of regional interest through the provision of concrete training, the preparation of teaching aids and the exchange of species. It also maintains a close relationship with other bodies involved in promoting aquaculture development, such as OLDEPESCA. The Mexican Aquaculture Agency is responsible for coordinating the first phase of network activities. The first phase of the plan of work, approved at the Round Table held in Panama in May 1986, will probably be a course on aquaculture development planning to be held by the end of 1986. It was also pointed out that other countries of the region interested in aquaculture could participate in the network.
30. It was reported that the English-speaking Caribbean already had its own cooperation network, supported by a project based in Jamaica.
(a) Rural and subsistence aquaculture
31. Rural and subsistence aquaculture activities by the Regional Office were described. They included information, promotion, situation analyses and training. The various documents prepared and distributed included “Aquaculture and Rural development” and “Criteria for the Preparation and Evaluation of Subsistence Projects”. Those being prepared were: “Case Studies on Aquaculture and Rural Development”, which had been discussed and well-received by the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (Barbados, August 1986), was also discussed.
(b) Conservation of fish genetic resources
32. A description was given of the action to be taken by FAO in pursuance of the initiative of Costa Rica. A visiting expert will help define requirements for the establishment of a gene bank and help identify means of funding the undertaking.
33. The Working Party expressed its satisfaction at the rapidity with which, with FAO's assistance, progress was being made in the field of regional cooperation in aquaculture and stressed that the benefits should extend to all countries of the region. It was also pointed out that the installed capacity of the sub-centres chosen to form part of the network of aquaculture centres should be put to full use for work in genetics.
(c) New initiatives
34. Concerning this item, it was reported that following the training course conducted by FAO in 1984 on the use of remote sensing to detect areas suitable for aquaculture the technique was tested in Costa Rica. The use of satellite computer-processed images (which are later verified in the field) breaks new ground in the selection of aquaculture sites. The results of this experiment are applicable region-wide, hence FAO's interest in the subject and intention to include remote-sensing as a future technical activity.
35. Considering that the use of remote sensing in identifying fishery resources in inland and coastal waters offers a whole new range of possibilities with respect to aquaculture development, the Working Party recommended that the Costa Rican experiment be given the widest possible publicity and that efforts to develop and use this methodology be pursued.
36. In his presentation of the subject, the Secretary pointed out that the fact that it had been possible to hold the COPESCAL Working Party on Aquaculture and the Tenth Session of OLDEPESCA's Regional Aquaculture Project at the same place and on consecutive dates was yet another concrete example of current regional cooperation in aquaculture. He also noted the presence of the Chairman of the Asociación Latinoamericana de Acuicultura (ALA), the representatives of the FAO/Italy Regional Aquaculture Project and the FAO Fisheries Regional Officer. This was an indication of the Commission's willingness to cooperate with other authorities working on aquaculture in the region. The Secretary of COPESCAL also mentioned that compliance with the recommendations of the respective organizations particularly demands careful planning of regional technical aquaculture activities during the intersessional period. He explained that there was a cooperation agreement between FAO and OLDEPESCA, as well as between FAO and other Latin American and Caribbean regional organizations, and cited the respective official communication channels. The presence of the representative of OLDEPESCA provided an opportunity to review ongoing and future activities. Immediately afterwards, the OLDEPESCA representative took the floor and summarized the work being undertaken under the Regional Aquaculture Project: (a) the publication of the Revista Latinoamericana de Acuicultura, 29 issues of which have already been produced. The number is expected to rise to 33 by the end of 1987, (b) continuation of the exchange programme for technical people and (c) progress in country lines of work the results of which were recently assessed. He also reiterated OLDEPESCA's willingness to continue to cooperate in the initiatives and projects of other bodies operating in the region.
37. The Chairman of ALA referred briefly to the objectives of the Association and invited those present to participate in and promote its Sixth Symposium, due to be held jointly with the Fifth Symposium of the Associaçao Brasileira de Aqüicultura, in the City of Florianpolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from 24 to 28 August 1987.
38. The Chairman of ALA again urged all colleagues in countries which do not possess national associations to work towards and collaborate to the best of their ability to help establish their own national associations. To this end, he placed himself at their disposal, urging them to write to him requesting the statutes of the association or any other information on logistics and support strategies to enable them to meet the proposed target. The FAO/ITA Project management took the opportunity to inform participants and the Chairman of ALA that the World Aquaculture Society was holding its 18th annual meeting at Guayaquil, Ecuador, from 18 to 23 January 1987.
39. The Working Party expressed its satisfaction with the timing of the COPESCAL and OLDEPESCA meetings and recommended that such cooperation be continued during the intersessional period. It recommended avoiding unnecessary duplication of activities within an individual country as well. This sort of initiative would have to originate in the countries themselves. The members of the Working Party also expressed the wish that the agenda of future sessions include a short seminar on a specific subject of particular interest to the experts of the region.
40. The Working Party recommended that the Commission work toward the development of national aquaculture organizations which would bring together scientists, interested technical people and especially producers. The major objective of which would be to exchange experiences and identify needs, find solutions to problems devise short, medium and long-term strategies.
41. It was recommended that the celebration of World Food Day, established by the FAO World Fisheries Conference, include activities designed to promote aquaculture.
42. The FAO/ITA Project Director asked the participants to provide information on the areas of marine aquaculture research which they considered to be of major interest for the region. Generally speaking, the replies placed priority on work on oysters, mussels and shrimp, but the need for research studies on estuarine species such as mullet, robalo (Centropomus sp.), etc., was not excluded.
43. The Working Party recommended that the next session be held during the following biennium, if possible in August or September 1988. The participants from Costa Rica, Mexico and Guatemala offered to host the next session, subject to approval by their respective governments.
44. The Working Party adopted the Report on 26 September 1986.
45. The closing ceremony of the Working Party coincided with the opening of the Tenth Ordinary Session of OLDEPESCA's Regional Aquaculture Project. Participating were the Under-Secretary for Fisheries of Mexico, Lic. F. Castro y Castro, representing Lic. Pedro Ojeda Paullada, Secretary for Fisheries of Mexico and Chairman of COPESCAL, the Under-Secretary for Fishery Resources of Ecuador, Abog. Luis Gómez Bejarano and the Executive Director of OLDEPESCA, Dr José Cardenas Ronco. In his closing statement the Mexican Under-Secretary for Fisheries pointed out that the timing of the Session of the Working Party on Aquaculture was particularly appropriate since it gave participants the opportunity of analyzing the plans the Latin American countries had recently formulated (Fourth Session of COPESCAL, Havana, Cuba, January 1986 and FAO's 19th Regional Conference, Barbados, August 1986) concerning regional needs in aquaculture development. It also offered the COPESCAL Working Party and the OLDEPESCA Regional Aquaculture Project, whose Tenth Ordinary Session was due to begin on the following day, the opportunity to coordinate ongoing and future activities and gave participants of both technical meetings the opportunity to exchange experiences and coordinate activities.
