1. The Commission for Inland Fisheries of Latin America (COPESCAL) held its Fourth Session from 20 to 25 January 1986, in the Palacio de las Convenciones in Havana at the kind invitation of the Government of the Republic of Cuba.
2. The session was attended by 10 member countries of the Commission, and two representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The list of delegates and observers is given in Appendix A of this report.
3. Mr. Jorge A. Fernández-Cuervo, Minister of Fisheries of Cuba, opened the session by welcoming the participants and acknowledging the work carried out during the intersessional period on behalf of the Commission by the Chairman, Lic. Pedro Ojeda Paullada, Minister of Fisheries of Mexico and by the Secretariat of COPESCAL. In stressing the socio-economic importance of inland fisheries and aquaculture, he expressed concern at the economic crisis which was affecting developing countries of the region and their development. In this regard, he acknowledged the efforts of international organizations such as FAO in trying to solve the nutritional problems of the human population.
4. Dr. A. Lindquist, Assistant Director-General, a.i., of the Fisheries Department of FAO, addressed the participants on behalf of the Director-General of FAO, Mr. Edouard Saouma, thanking the Government of Cuba for hosting this session and for the excellent organization of the meeting. He stressed the primary importance of inland fisheries and aquaculture, particularly as a source of employment and protein food for rural populations. This had already been recognized at the global level by the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development which was held in Rome in 1984 and chaired by Lic. Pedro Ojeda Paullada. He also paid tribute to the important contribution of the Chairman to the FAO World Fisheries Conference and his efforts in promoting communications among the countries of the region and between the region, regional organizations and FAO.
5. In referring to the catch and aquaculture data available to FAO for the countries of the region, Dr. A. Lindquist indicated the substantial increase in catch registered during the last decade. He noted, however, that a large part of the amount reported as aquaculture was produced through seeding reservoirs, a practice which is a mix of aquaculture and more traditional fishing. He remarked on the notable increase in production obtained through aquaculture in Cuba and the role played by the host country in the transfer of technical knowledge to other countries of the region in the spirit of Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries. He briefly reviewed the activities of the Secretariat in implementing the recommendations of the previous session and acknowledged the cooperation of the University of Chile in organizing the Round Table on Ecology and Management of Fish in Natural and Artificial Lakes, in collaboration with FAO and Unesco, during the intersessional period.
6. Mr. Pedro Ojeda Paullada, Chairman of COPESCAL, in his opening statement, indicated that this session was taking place at a time when relationships in international fisheries were undergoing important changes as a consequence of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. He indicated that the objectives and scope of the Commission fall within the related Strategies and Programmes of Action adopted by the Conference and called upon member countries to promote mechanisms of cooperation appropriate to their limited economic resources as well as those of the regional and international organizations.
7. In stressing the socio-economic importance of inland fisheries and aquaculture, particularly for the integrated development of the rural areas of the region, the Chairman requested the views of the member countries on the formulation of short and long term action plans for accelerating their development.
8. Upon the proposal by the Chairman, the Commission formally recognized the great contribution made by the late Assistant Director-General of the Fisheries Department of FAO, Mr. Jean Carroz, to international fisheries, particularly in respect of the two most important events in fisheries of the last decade, the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea and the FAO World Conference on Fisheries.
9. The Commission adopted the Agenda reproduced in Appendix B. The documents for the session are listed in Appendix C.
10. In presenting the actions taken during the intersessional period, the Chairman pointed out the active and constructive participation of Latin American and Caribbean countries in regional and international fisheries fora. He emphasized in particular their participation in the preparations for and the deliberations of the FAO World Conference on Fisheries. He also referred to element VIII of the Strategy adopted by the Conference, relating to the international cooperation, which recognized that regional fisheries organizations such as COPESCAL represent an excellent mechanism for the promotion of the cooperation needed to solve common problems.
11. In order to promote the activities recommended by the previous session of the Commission, the Chairman had requested the views of the Ministers of Fisheries of member countries as to their priorities for the future work of the Commission and had sent a representative to visit several member countries for that purpose. The results of this survey indicated the following priorities for the future work of the Commission and its member countries: (1) the intensification of cooperation among member countries in order to accomplish the work of the Commission; (2) an increase in training opportunities to develop human resources both at technical and management levels; (3) satisfaction of national requirements for aquaculture development through the existing regional projects and (4) development and dissemination of methodologies for the exploitation of fish resources in lakes and rivers.
12. The Chairman referred to the establishment of the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade by the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) at its Fifteenth Session, Rome, April 1985. The Sub-Committee was established with the purpose of promoting an equitable balance in international trade in fish and fishery products. Furthermore, since the last session of COPESCAL, a cooperation agreement has been signed between FAO and the Organización Latinoamericana para el Desarrollo Pesquero (OLDEPESCA).
13. As a follow-up to the relevant recommendation of the Third Session, a representative of the Chairman had participated at the Second Session of the Advisory Committee of the Regional Aquaculture Centre for Latin America (CERLA), held in Pirassununga in October 1984. There the following priorities were identified: (1) short and medium term training of middle-level personnel; (2) establishment of mechanisms for the exchange of information on exploitation of lakes and rivers and (3) interchange of Latin American experts for the transfer of appropriate technologies.
14. With regard to aquaculture and fishery resources, the Chairman stressed the need for integration of aquaculture with other agricultural activities, and for a regional strategy for the conservation of endemic aquatic resources. He also stressed the socio-economic importance of both the exploitation and culture of living resources of the continental waters of America.
15. In concluding his statement he expressed his personal thanks to the Secretariat for its support to the region.
16. The Commission expressed its high appreciation for the excellent work and great dynamism of the Chairman which was reflected in the progress achieved during the intersessional period in the fulfilment of the objectives of COPESCAL. The Commission noted the usefulness of the visit of COPESCAL officers to countries of the region, in increasing the interest of pertinent authorities of member countries in the scope and activities of COPESCAL and of its subsidiary bodies.
17. The delegation of Mexico stressed the importance of the COFI Sub-Committee on Fish trade and urged that countries of the region should attend its first session.
18. The Secretariat presented document COPESCAL/86/2 indicating the measures that had been taken by FAO to implement the recommendations of the previous session, most of which had been accomplished satisfactorily. As the recommendations on technical aspects dealing with fishery resources, conservation of genetic resources, pollution effects, aquaculture, fishery technology and the FAO World Fisheries Conference would be treated under the related agenda items of this session, the Secretariat stressed those aspects not specifically included in the agenda. These relate to exchange of information, training on inland fisheries at regional level and the employment of regional consultants.
19. The Secretariat informed the session of the offer made by the delegation of Mexico at the last session of the Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC), held in Castries, St. Lucia in July 1985, to use the facilities of the Mexican Scientific and Humanistic Information Centre (CICH) as a regional information/statistical service. This centre, which is already cooperating with FAO within the framework of the Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Information Service (ASFIS), could easily cover the information requirements of COPESCAL member countries. The delegation of Mexico therefore offered the facilities of CICH to also act as a regional information centre for COPESCAL.
20. FAO intersessional activities related to information involved the preparation, translation and publication of documents in COPESCAL series including the Thesaurus of Terms for Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries, Bibliography of Latin American and Caribbean Freshwater Fish, Aquaculture and Rural Development. These had been widely distributed to countries of the region as well as to the participants at the session as information documents. The Secretariat also indicated that the computerized distribution list of technical documents to COPESCAL member countries was being constantly up-dated according to information provided by member countries.
21. Following a recommendation of the third session relating to training requirements on inland fisheries, the Secretariat had engaged a consultant to visit the University of Sucre, in Colombia and to cooperate with the local staff on the preparation of a project proposal in support of its training centre. It had also distributed an ad hoc questionnaire to all member countries in order to identify their short and long term training needs at medium and high level. Replies had so far been received from six member countries. A mission was also undertaken by the FAO Regional Fisheries Officer to Central American countries and to the Dominican Republic in order to identify their middle level training requirements in different aspects of inland fishery and aquaculture.
22. The Secretariat acknowledged the cooperation of the experts of the region who either had voluntarily provided valuable information on technical issues or had worked as FAO consultants to carry out some of the intersessional activities recommended by the Commission.
23. The Commission acknowledged the usefulness of the COPESCAL Newsletter. The delegation of Cuba suggested that the use of subscriptions payable to the local FAO Representative in national currency, might be a possible way to facilitate a more frequent and enlarged COPESCAL Newsletter. The Commission stressed that the Newsletter should include information on intersessional activities of COPESCAL and also pointed out that responsibility lay with national correspondents and fishery workers to provide the material to fill the expanded issues.
24. The delegation of Cuba offered its experience and facilities for short term training under the TCDC framework, provided that international organizations, donors or participating countries could assist finance travel and some living expenses of the trainees.
25. The Secretariat reviewed the progress of activities initiated by the Working Party on Fishery Resources and summarized the conclusions and recommendations of its Fourth Session, held in Panama, from 23 to 27 September 1985.
26. The Roundtable on Ecology and Management of Fish in Natural and Artificial Lakes held in Chile in September 1984 was considered a success. Noting the low cost of the meeting as a result of local assistance in providing living accomodation and the collaboration of several organizations in funding travel, it was suggested that the roundtable might be a useful model for subsequent meetings of this kind. The Commission's attention was also drawn to the new terms of reference which the Sub-Group on the Development and Exploitation of Reservoirs and Natural Lakes proposed for its future work.
27. With respect to the work of the Sub-Group on Fishery Resources of Rivers, reference was made to the publication of COPESCAL Occasional Paper No. 1 on Migration of River Fishes in Latin America, which resulted from work started at the Third Session of the Working Party. The recommendations of the Sub-Group regarding future activities were also reviewed, the most important of which was to hold a workshop as soon as possible to analyze and discuss rapid methods of evaluating riverine fish resources, and to develop data series on the evolution of multi-species fisheries in rivers. It was pointed out that while it had so far not been possible to secure sufficient funds for such a workshop, there would be an opportunity at the forthcoming International Large River Symposium, to be held in Ontario, Canada (September 1986) to hold an ad hoc meeting of the Sub-Group as several of its members had been invited to participate.
28. New terms of reference of the Sub-Groups on lakes and on river resources, reformulated for reasons of clarity, were also noted and approved.
29. With respect to the work of the Sub-Group on pollution, the review carried out of the experience of member countries on the nature and magnitude of adverse effects on inland fish resources had so far been incomplete and had shown a considerable diversity of problems. The Sub-Group, however, felt strongly that the study should be continued and recommended that a draft protocol for the conduct of bioassays be prepared to ensure that results could be compared among the various laboratories of the region in a valid manner.
30. Attention was further called to the results of the Seminar on Introduced Species held in conjunction with the Fourth Session of the Working Party. The Working Party considered that it was too early to propose a Code of Practice for the region, but proposed a programme of inventories, and a compilation of experiences in the introduction of specific species groups, initially tilapias and trouts.
31. The Commission expressed deep concern about the risks of introduction of new species and assigned high priority to further work in this field by the Working Party. It further supported the Working Party's recommendation that wherever and whenever non-native species were brought into countries in the region, the introduction be carefully documented to provide, along with information being collected in FAO, a basis for assisting countries with further decisions of this type. The Commission also supported the principle that, when a member country was contemplating an introduction into an international river or lake, it should consult with other nations sharing the basin and therefore liable to be affected by the introduction.
32. Suggestions were also put forward by the Commission for the subsequent attention of the Working Group concerning (1) the preparation of a bibliography of studies on the introduction of particular species in the region, especially those most likely to be accidentally introduced by way of the ornamental fish trade, (2) the elaboration of a mechanism which would ensure that such information was kept up-to-date, (3) a regional compilation of existing systems and laws concerning the control of introductions by both exporter and importer, and (4) a compendium of recommendations of the Secretariat relating to both import and export of live fish. It was also suggested that the Working Party on Fisheries Resources should consider the preparation of a draft statement of warning concerning the introduction of certain ornamental species for consideration and adoption by the Commission.
33. The discussion of the Commission disclosed the existence of additional studies on species introductions and a history of limnological studies in Mexican lakes which would be made available to the Secretariat and to the members of the Working Party on Fisheries Resources.
34. The Commission emphasized the lack of expertise in the specialized areas of fish pathology and of fish genetics, both of which were critical to a satisfactory evaluation of the risks of introductions, but which were also essential for the development of commercial aquaculture. The Commission requested FAO to prepare suggestions as to how the Commission might coordinate the training of specialized personnel, so as to meet at least the minimum requirements of the region in these fields as soon as practicable. It requested the Working Party on Aquaculture to look carefully into ways of improving regional expertise in fish pathology.
35. Finally, it was suggested that copies of the Protocol on the Introduction of Species, drafted by the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), be distributed for the information of those members so desiring.
36. The topic was summarized in document COPESCAL/86/6 which described the background and activities of CERLA in the period since the last Session of COPESCAL. CERLA is one of six regional centres for aquaculture development, which form a network whose coordination is supported by the UNDP/FAO Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (ADCP) and the FAO Regular Programme.
37. It was reported that FAO, UNDP, and the Norwegian Government were engaged in a global thematic evaluation of technical assistance provided by UNDP/FAO to aquaculture development over the past ten years. As part of the study, six missions have visited the various regions including one which visited Brazil, Cuba, and Panama. The final synthesis report should be available by mid-1986. Although it is not expected to propose major changes in the present programme, this evaluation had already been valuable in suggesting improvements in orientation of FAO/UNDP assistance to aquaculture development, and in stimulating increased awareness and interest in this sector.
38. The Secretariat also announced the recent appointment of Dr. Colin Nash as Director of the Aquaculture Development Cooperation Programme (ADCP) which would also encourage a dynamic approach to ADCP's programmes of assistance to all regions.
39. With respect to the programme of CERLA, climatic and engineering difficulties had made necessary some reconstruction of CERLA's facilities during the past two years. The repairs were now nearly finished. Three one-year training courses had been completed, with a total of 70 graduates who now hold important positions in the region's aquaculture development institutions. Almost all graduates continue working in the field of aquaculture. A new training course began in January 1986. The Centre was continuing its efforts to identify a collaborating university which could offer a Master's Degree upon successful completion of the course.
40. The research programme had achieved good results in several of the culture systems selected for study, especially those concerned with the culture of Colossoma macropomum and C. mitrei. The work on trout at the sub-station at Sierra da Bocaina was unfortunately held up by damage to its ponds as a result of heavy flooding.
41. With the cessation of UNDP funding for CERLA in April 1985, Canadian funds originally intended for a programme for young visiting scientists were used, with Canada's agreement, to keep the regional programme at Pirassununga in operation. Now that the main programme was being supported by Italy, the visiting scientists' programme could be reinitiated.
42. With regard to CERLA's computerized aquaculture information system, experience had shown that the programme was excessively complex and costly. Plans for a less expensive and more appropriate, practical and feasible information system were now being revised.
43. The usefulness of CERLA for training activities was underscored by the Commission. However, concern was expressed as to the limited number of trainees and the single level of training provided at the Centre which could not fully satisfy regional requirements. A need was therefore identified for sub-regional aquaculture training centres to take care of a larger number of trainees and a greater diversity of training programmes to better match the geographical and ecological diversity of the region. It was suggested that funds be sought to strengthen the aquaculture training facilities already available in other countries of the region such as Cuba, Mexico and Panama. While suggesting caution to avoid undue proliferation of such centres, at least three aquaculture sub-centres, one for Central American countries, one for the Caribbean countries and one for mariculture were thought to be necessary. An additional station for cold water culture might also eventually be needed. Such centres should supplement the training provided by CERLA by giving short term courses on specific topics.
44. In response to the urging of the Commission that FAO make every effort to obtain funding for a network of centres in the region, the Secretariat noted that, as an agreement had now been reached on support for the core programme of the Pirassununga Centre, it would now be possible to pursue additional funding for sub-regional activities. A draft project proposal had already been prepared for discussion with the Government of Italy to this end.
45. The Secretariat presented the report of the Second Session of the Working Party on Fisheries Technology held in El Salvador from 7 to 10 October 1985 (document COPESCAL/86/7). The Session was devoted to fishing technology. Its objective was to review gear, methods and vessels used in the region's inland fisheries. The Working Party collected, for the first time, relatively complete information on fishing methods throughout the Region.
46. It was noted that most inland fisheries in Latin America were for subsistence, although commercial inland fisheries exist in some countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Peru and Venezuela. Chile used its inland resources mainly for recreational fisheries. Fishing gears were generally similar throughout the region, especially with regard to traditional methods.
47. The Working Party noted that problems related to the development of capture fisheries were similar in most of the countries of the region, for example, the development of artisanal fishing was often limited by inadequate supplies of material for more suitable fishing gear and vessels. Existing technology could however be used more effectively, and transfer of methods and experience among countries of the region with comparable conditions through the exchange of fishing technologists and/or fishermen would seem an appropriate mechanism.
48. Countries whose experts did not participate in the Second Session of the Working Party were invited to contribute information on fishing technology in inland waters to the Secretariat. Several of such delegations present at the session agreed to provide the requested information. The technical information collected in association with the second session of the Working Party will be published by FAO.
49. The Working Party recognized that the important question of fishing gear selectivity should be studied jointly by members of the different working groups. The necessary communications for this had already begun. The delegation of Cuba stated that it had done considerable work on selectivity, minimum mesh sized, and standardization of inland fishing gear, and offered to provide this information to COPESCAL for distribution to other member countries. The Working Party drew attention to the need for standardization of fisheries regulations among countries sharing rivers.
50. The Commission emphasized the fundamental importance of improved fishing technology in the expansion of inland fisheries. Lack of trained fishing technologists in national fisheries institutions was an important constraint in this field. The Commission supported the intersessional activities proposed in the report and endorsed its recommendations, in particular the recommendation to hold a Roundtable on the organization of fishing communities. It was noted that a similar roundtable had been suggested by OLDEPESCA, and Nicaragua offered to host it. The Commission agreed that FAO and OLDEPESCA should cooperate in organizing this meeting.
51. Dr. Bruno Urbina, the Chairman of the Second Session of the Working Party, stated that as a result of the meeting, attention of policy-makers to development of the inland fisheries sector had increased significantly in El Salvador. The renewed interest had accelerated the availability of increased support and resources, enabling the Centro de Desarrollo Pesquero, CENDEPESCA to expand its activities and improve its effectiveness.
52. The Commission also recommended that regional training in fishing technology be increased. It suggested that such an increase could be achieved through the establishment of a number of model projects for the integrated development of inland fisheries and aquaculture. Such projects aimed at practical research, development, and extension, should include resource aspects, fish capture technology, fish utilization and marketing. Training of technical personnel should be an important component of model projects. It was recommended that funding for these projects be sought by FAO.
53. In introducing this item of the agenda, the Secretariat indicated that the general situation with regard to the utilization and marketing of fish from the inland fisheries of Latin America had not significantly changed since the Third Session of COPESCAL. Where progress had been achieved it had generally occurred in those countries where a development policy for fisheries had been defined.
54. Several FAO activities on this subject had been undertaken during the past biennium. The first Expert Consultation on Fish Technology in Latin America was held in Mexico City, Mexico, from 13 to 16 December 1983, immediately after the Third Session of COPESCAL. While this Consultation was not specifically intended to deal with freshwater fish, the results of the consultation regarding handling, processing and marketing were of such interest that they should be considered carefully by all member countries.
55. The FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean had carried out a series of activities to promote technical cooperation among the region's countries through the Technical Cooperation Network. These activities had also included actions in the area of the utilization and handling of freshwater fish.
56. The question of utilizing insulated containers for fresh fish, discussed during the Third Session of COPESCAL, was deemed of primary interest and FAO had published Fisheries Circular No. 773 “Planning and Engineering Data 4: Containers for Fish Handling” (the Spanish version was being prepared). A technical document entitled “Small Insulated Containers for the Distribution of Fish in Developing Countries” was also in the publishing stage.
57. Within the World Fisheries Conference Programme of Action No. V (Promotion of the Role of Fisheries in Alleviating Under-Nutrition) an Associate Professional Officer in the field of consumer education had been posted to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad-and-Tobago, and had carried out a number of activities in English speaking countries in the Caribbean and Suriname. A Roundtable on the Promotion of Consumption of Fishery Products organized by the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, had been held in Santiago, Chile, in March 1985. The conclusions of this Roundtable were also of relevance for inland fisheries.
58. The experience of several Latin American countries had demonstrated the existence of international markets for fishery products. Such markets required adequate product supplies and careful quality control. In some cases concerning trade between developing countries, shortage of hard currency caused problems. Alternative forms of exchange, such as non-cash transactions, could help alleviate such problems, and should be considered.
59. The Commission noted that FAO, with the aim of assisting small- and medium-scale aquaculturists in improving the marketing of their products, was preparing a technical manual for marketing aquaculture products which would be available in late 1986.
60. The following proposals for action were made by the Secretariat: (1) to improve and increase communications between research institutes and fish producers/marketers; (2) to carry out practical studies in the following areas: (i) storage life in ice of local species (including the use of insulated containers), (ii) alternative uses for species not accepted by the consumer, (iii) total utilization of fish, including the preparation at the artisanal level of fish silage based on fish offals.
61. It was agreed that the particular features of inland fisheries require the formulation of special policies for their development. FAO had recently been carrying out studies on policy formulation in inland fisheries, for example one published as FAO Fisheries Technical Paper No. 263 “Management Systems for Riverine Fisheries”.
62. In the ensuing discussion, several delegations pointed to progress achieved in fish processing and marketing within their countries and offered to share their experience with other interested member countries. The delegation of Nicaragua described their success in the promotion of fish consumption through a chain of restaurants. The delegates of Ecuador and Mexico stated that they had been active in fishery product development and marketing. The delegation of Cuba explained that, in order to market its substantial production of tilapia, it had been necessary to create the habit of eating fish and described how they had been able to do so. The delegate of the Dominican Republic stated that a plant to produce around 54 000 kg per year of salted carp had been constructed which should reduce imports of salted fish by approximately 10 percent. The delegate of Suriname stated that his country was currently active in promoting aquaculture and consumption of freshwater species.
63. The delegation of Mexico suggested that a seminar on marketing and distribution of tilapia would be very useful for the region.
64. The Secretariat summarized the principal conclusions of the FAO World Conference on Fisheries. Throughout the deliberations of the Conference, the essential role of aquaculture and inland fisheries in the rural economies of developing countries had been underlined.
65. The main outcomes of the Conference were the endorsement of a Strategy for Fisheries Management and Development, the approval of five Programmes of Action and a number of special resolutions1. One of the Resolutions invited the Director-General of FAO to take all measures necessary to ensure the implementation of the Programmes of Action and to provide the FAO Committee on Fisheries and the governing bodies of FAO with periodic reports on the progress achieved in implementing both the Strategy and the Programmes of Action.
66. At the Sixteenth Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries in April 1985, the follow-up actions taken or proposed in response to the recommendations were considered in detail. The Committee agreed that the eight basic elements of the Strategy should form the framework of progress reporting. A draft standard format for national progress reports was being prepared by the Fisheries Department and would soon be sent to the member countries of this Commission for completion.
67. The most immediate results of the Conference for member countries of COPESCAL had been those achieved through the Programme of Action I, under which a number of the missions had been mounted to assist countries in planning management and development of their fisheries. The findings of such missions were also useful in guiding donor agencies in deciding on their programmes of assistance.
68. Under the Programme of Action for Aquaculture Development, CERLA had received assistance from the Italian Government for its continuation for a further four years. The Programme of Action for International Trade in Fish and Fishery Products had received support through the GLOBEFISH system which will lead to an integrated system of fishery information on trade with coordination of regional information systems, one of which is INFOPESCA. Under the Programme of Action for the Promotion of the Role of Fisheries in Alleviating Under-Nutrition, a regional cooperative programme on utilization of fish or fish products was being organized with Regular Programme support and assistance from the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.
69. The Chairman informed the Commission of the great significance of the FAO World Fisheries Conference in formulating a common approach to fisheries throughout the world. He also emphasized the role of aquaculture in national rural economies and emphasized that international agencies had much to contribute in this respect, and that governments should include aquaculture development in their national development plans.
70. The importance of attaining equitable funding was emphasized, and the recommendation of the Sixteenth Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries, held in 1985, to allocate more funds to Latin America and particularly to COPESCAL, was strongly supported by the Commission. In particular the urgent need for a wider variety of facilities for aquaculture training was pointed out as well as the need to increase the number of trained aquaculturists in order to meet regional requirements. In this context the recommendation for the establishment of several sub-regional centres was reiterated.
71. The agenda item was introduced by the Secretariat which drew attention to document COPESCAL/86/5 which pointed out basic requirements for/and constraints on the development and management of extensive aquaculture systems in small water bodies. Several definitions had been proposed as to the nature of such systems but the most critical feature appeared to be that they are primarily associated with the rural environment. Because of the dispersed nature and low relative productivity of such units it had been difficult to justify allocation of funds for training or research on small water bodies as opposed to large reservoirs. It was suggested that it would be better to group extensive aquaculture units into larger sets instead of studying them on an individual basis. Few people had been specially trained in extensive aquaculture and the knowledge that was currently emerging in the region was the result of direct experience in the field.
72. It was noted that national Fisheries Department rarely had an adequate number of extension workers to respond to the requests of rural communities for assistance in aquaculture. A solution that could be considered was to train extension officers working in other rural activities in the elements of aquaculture so that initial information might be disseminated in this way.
73. Following the above introduction, delegates were invited to describe their experiences in promoting extensive aquaculture. The delegates comments are summarized below.
74. Most of Cuba's production of fresh water fish is carried out by seeding the country's small to medium size reservoirs obtaining the harvest by fishing with gillnets. Production has risen from about 1 percent of the nominal total catch in 1967 to 7 percent in 1984. The latter, in absolute terms, means a production of some 14 600 tons. This yield continues to grow and is expected to reach 90 000 by 2000.
75. Particularly important features of the Cuban experience included the very close association of research and production units, the high degree of management that could be exerted over seeding and harvest operations, and the self-financing of the complete operation from seed production to research. Another remarkable feature of the experience of Cuba was the rapid change which has been brought about in consumer attitude toward freshwater species by a responsive and inventive approach to processing methods to suit consumer requirements, while at the same time making full use of the catches and by-products of the fishery.
76. Since the introduction of aquaculture in the Dominican Republic, the institutional responsibilities for monitoring and assisting development of aquaculture have undergone several changes. As a result, the present programme is varied, including work in subsistence aquaculture, management of fisheries in inland reservoirs, and research on aquaculture and mariculture. Projects for subsistence aquaculture were based on extensive polyculture of tilapia (O. niloticus), the common carp and silver carp. The extension programme which assisted both subsistence and commercial producers, combined national staff, Peace Corps personnel, and personnel provided by the Social Services of Dominican Churches. The commercial sector was concentrating on the production of both fresh and marine shrimp, while the reservoirs produced tilapia (O. mossambicus), common carp and the North American black bass.
77. Aquaculture development programmes in El Salvador in recent years have been aimed at promoting employment opportunities and improved nutrition for rural communities. Development has been built around a Government programme for the construction of village ponds for raising tilapias and guapote (Cichlasoma). The programme which affected 5000 people had resulted not only in achieving a fish consumption among beneficiaries of 3.6 kg/person/year, but also interested private investors. The delegate noted that overhosty advise to private investors on the advantages of hybrid culture resulted in an initial setback in the growth of privately financed pond culture.
78. Mexico has numerous small water bodies which were created for a range of purposes other than fisheries. These are being used for extensive aquaculture to maximize the benefits of these water bodies. Many of the smaller water bodies in the country have distinct annual cycles based on seasonal dessication. In these particularly, stocking of fish at the appropriate time in the cycle allows for one crop per year mainly of red tilapia derived from an Oreochromis mossambicus/O. hornorum cross and of carps. In general such ponds rely on natural productivity although there is a growing tendency to add fertilizer. This may be either artificial fertilizer derived from locally available material or derived from wastes from other aquacultural pursuits, and forms part of the policy directed towards encouraging integrated rural systems.
79. More than half of the surface area of inland water in Mexico is contained in lakes or reservoirs larger than 10 000 hectares in size. These and several of intermediate size are managed extensively by stocking them with tilapia and a number of other species. There are also a number of centres which are supporting semi-intensive or intensive production units based on hybrid tilapias, mixed culture systems and the development of agro-aquacultural systems. A particularly unique initiative in Mexico, found in the state of Claxcola, in the development of “Jagueyes” based on pre-hispanic traditions of combining horticulture and fish production.
80. Nicaragua has initiated a variety of aquaculture activities including the seeding of several large water bodies and a number of smaller reservoirs on sugar-plantations with tilapias and common carp, and the promotion of fish culture in ponds. Through the extension corps, a project is also being developed for fish-cum-pig farming attached to an agricultural university, and one for culture in floating cages.
81. Although Suriname is in the early stages of fisheries management through the agency of a recently created Fishery Commission, it has had a history of reservoir fisheries management in the large Brakopondo reservoir. Here problems with pirahnas as dominant species have raised questions on the correct way to manage such waters through selective fishery, or planned introductions. Fish culture is being started with Macrobrachium farming, and the ponds left by bauxite working and reservoirs associated with the mining industry could be used for extensive culture.
82. A number of specific technical problems associated with extensive aquaculture were brought out in the discussion of the country reports, resulting in a useful exchange of expertise. It was emphasized, for example, that problems with the use of all male hybrids of tilapias were universal, and most contries are abandoning the practice in favour of sex-reversal techniques, or, for subsistence or very extensive purposes without any separation of sexes. For subsistence culture, a particularly successful recent approach had been to encourage farmers to build several ponds, to provide for production of seed and growout in separate units. In this connection, it was also noted that changes in usually accepted practice were frequently necessary to gain acceptance of fishculture in rural communities, for example, increasing the size of seed fish supplied to farmers to shorten the growout period, and increasing size of ponds built for culture to improve efficiency or to increase the size of each crop.
83. Several delegations expressed concern over the emphasis that should be placed on developing the culture of native species as opposed to the use of exotic ones. Most reported that they were working with certain promising native species (including shrimps or molluscs), but that there were few of their native species suitable to meet present needs. An interesting discussion ensued on the possibilities of manipulating the abundance of natural stocks or reservoirs, especially predators or species difficult to market. While one solution to the problem of the use of less popular species might be to try to build a demand through consumer campaigns, or by special processing as in Cuba. Experience in Panama indicated that predators might be brought under control by introducing or enhancing the stocks of forage species.
84. Attention was drawn to the tendency to give attention only to the production side of aquaculture. It was also necessary to consider marketing and other aspects of aquaculture projects. As an example, the problem of the “muddy taste” in tilapia and other freshwater species as a result of excessive growth of certain blue-green algae was discussed, and note taken of several possible means of control. These included improvement of water quality, changes in fertilization techniques, and use of a newly patented algicide. Unfortunately none of these techniques had been tested in practice, nor were they applicable to larger reservoirs.
85. Disease problems were also discussed, and note taken of the need to build up national diagnostic facilities in each country. The experience of Cuba was cited as a good example for the region in this regard.
86. The delegate of Panama reviewed promotional and training needs in aquaculture for rural development in Latin America (COPESCAL/86/Inf.10), emphasizing that social objectives were very important in rural development planning in the region. He called particular attention to the varying stages of aquaculture development, proposing six distinct phases, and to the different actions required by governmental institutions and services at each stage. The Secretariat reviewed the salient elements of the discussion by citing a number of issues which individual countries should settle for themselves in arriving at policy decisions for the support of extensive aquaculture development.
87. The statements made by delegations, and the discussions following them, brought out considerable differences among member countries in the way in which almost identical bio-technologies were integrated into the social and economic needs of their respective societies. For example, although almost every country reporting had fisheries in reservoirs which were supported by regular or occasional seeding with young fish produced by specialized hatchery units, the organization of harvesting and marketing, of management, and of administration and finance differed markedly from one to another.
88. The delegation of Mexico pointed out the considerable difficulties in separating extensive aquaculture production from that of more intensive systems. This confusion had resulted in inflated figures being quoted for aquaculture and an inability to properly assess the success or failure of national aquaculture development programmes. To avoid this, catches from derived fisheries based on stocking should be separated in the statistics from intensive aquaculture yields.
89. It was pointed out that extensive aquaculture was a unique activity which had no obvious parallel in other forms of rural practice. Nevertheless atempts to pursue extensive aquaculture in isolation have met with failure; to be successful it must be integrated into the whole range of agricultural practice. In this connection assistence was requested from the Regional Office of FAO in Latin America to study subsistance farming methods with a view to determining the possibilities for the inclusion of integrated but extensive aquaculture into such systems. The delegation of Mexico offered to make the results of its programme for marginalized rural population available to other members of the Commission.
90. Resulting from the discussion the following recommendations were made:
with regard to disease diagnostic services, FAO was requested to seek funding to provide training courses or fellowships in fish pathology. It was also suggested that Cuba might provide assistance to other countries in designing diagnostic facilities.
it was recommended that COPESCAL organize a regional seminar on the role of aquaculture in rural development. It was suggested that FAO and OLDEPESCA collaborate in the organization of this event.
noting the concern expressed on the use of native species for culture purposes, it was recommended that FAO find ways to carry out studies on the use now being made of such species, in comparison with that of introduced forms. Separate studies were recommended for Central America, the island countries of the Caribbean, and South America.
it was recommended that COPESCAL organize a seminar to discuss technical problems associated with the unpleasant taste of organisms cultivated in fresh and marine waters.
the Commission approved the actions suggested in document COPESCAL/86/5, particularly with respect to the production of manuals pertaining to extensive aquaculture in small dams. It also supported the recommendation of the Third Session of the Working Party on Fishery Resources that a workshop be held in a Caribbean country on stock assessment methodologies and fisheries management in small lakes and dams and Cuba offered to host such a workshop.
91. In order to facilitate and accelerate communication among member countries of COPESCAL and with the Secretariat, the Commission recommended that delegates should ask their Governments to nominate a National Correspondent. Nominations should be forwarded to the Secretary of the Commission.
92. The delegate of Colombia informed the Commission that, thanks to advice from FAO, the Government would be effecting basic institutional reorganization for fishery development. Responsibility for fishery and aquaculture would be transferred from the Subgerencia de Pesca of INDERENA to an autonomous national fishery institute and a fishery development financing corporation financed by official contributions and by a fishery development fund (one percent of the value of domestic sales and exports). This measure was contained in a draft law which would be submitted for approval by the National Congress this year.
93. The Commission expressed its appreciation for the interesting discussions and experience gained during the development of Agenda item 10 “Extensive aquaculture on ponds and small reservoirs” and recommended that a technical issue of regional priority interest be included in the agenda of future sessions. It was agreed that member countries should suggest to the Secretariat in writing the specific subject they would consider appropriate for consideration by the Fifth Session.
94. The visit by the participants to the fishery of the Alacranes reservoir in the province of Santa Clara and its associated fish-culture station was greatly appreciated. It provided an excellent opportunity for delegates to observe the high level of coordination existing between the research and production units of the Empresa Nacional de Acuicultura, and to discuss various aspects of the organization of fisheries in small reservoirs of particular interest to delegates were the large size of fish harvested, the housing facilities provided for fishermen, the organization of fish icing and storage facilities, and the efficiently organized hatchery nearby.
95. The Commission re-elected by acclamation Lic. Pedro Ojeda Paullada, Minister of Fisheries of Mexico, as Chairman and Cuba as Vice-Chairman. Panama was elected as the other Vice-Chairman.
96. The Commission noted with appreciation the offer made by the delegate of Panama to host the Fifth Session of the Commission. The date and place would be determined later in consultation with the Director-General of FAO, the Chairman of the Commission and the pertinent authorities of the host Government.
97. The Commission expressed its warmest appreciation to the host Government for the generous hospitality and to the local organizing Committee and support staff for their valuable assistance during the session, which had all contributed to the success of the meeting and to the work of the delegates and observers in ideal conditions.
98. Dr. A. Lindquist, Assistant Director-General, a.i., in closing the session on behalf of FAO, reiterated his thanks to the host Government for the hospitality and to all delegates and observers for the full and generous spirit of cooperation which marked the entire session stressing in particular the valuable support provided by the local staff.
99. The report was adopted by the Commission on 25 January 1986.
