One first mission was performed in December 1985 by one Aquaculturist, FAO expert. His conclusion and recommendations can be summarized as follows :
- There are large technical potentialities in Suriname for the cultivation of freshwater prawns and marine shrimps ;
- Marine shrimps should be preferred as the demand on the international market is very high ;
- Semi-intensive culture of marine shrimps should be financially profitable in Suriname ;
- As shrimp culture is non-existant in the country, it is necessary for the Government to implement first a Pilot/Demonstration farm.
Following that mission, FAO accepted to co-finance the Pilot/ Demonstration farm and US $ 210.000 will be funded by FAO to cover various expenses in foreign currency such as a technical assistance programme, some procurements, etc… The present mission is the first step of this technical assistance programme. It was performed by one aquaculturist, one Civil Engineer and one Aquaculturist Economist ; the three experts being members of the french company France-Aquaculture. The field phase started on November 10, 1986 and ended on November 24, 1986.
The exact terms of reference of the experts were the following :
ECONOMIST (Team leader)
1 - In consultation with the other members (aquaculturist and aquaculture engineer) of the mission, and based on the information available within and outside the country, the consultant will determine economic/financial feasibility of commercial shrimp culture in Suriname.
2 - As the team leader of the mission, the consultant will be responsible for incorporating the reports submitted by the aquaculturist and the aquaculture engineer.
MARINE SHRIMP AQUACULTURIST
1 - Will undertake site visits and hold discussions with the relevant Government authorities to determine bio-technical feasibility of the marine shrimp culture project, with special reference to pilot project site suitability, and availability of inputs such as post-larvae, fertilizers, feed and other inputs.
2 - Will recommend the species of marine shrimp to be cultured and the culture technology to be followed.
3 - Will determine the physical facilities required for the proposed pilot project.
4 - Will provide bio-technical information as required by the aquaculture engineer and the economist.
5 - Will submit a report to the team leader (consultant Economist).
AQUACULTURE (Marine shrimp culture) ENGINEER
1 - Will undertake site visits and hold discussions with relevant Government authorities with a view to identifying a suitable site for the establishment of a pilot marine shrimp farm of 5 ha water surface, with special reference to soil quality, water quality and quantity, topography, infrastructure, etc…
2 - Will submit schematic design/layout of the proposed farm.
3 - Will provide engineering information as required by the Aquaculturist and the Economist.
4 - Will submit a report to the team leader/consultant economist).
