Different levels and patterns of aquaculture development are practised in different countries of the region. However, subsistence or small-scale operations dominate, except in Cuba where only large-scale integrated production complexes are envisaged. Similarly, the majority of operations are of an extensive type, although the feasibility of intensive pond fish culture, raft culture of molluscs and cage culture of fish have been demonstrated. Where the programmes are socially oriented governments provide a high level of support and assistance to individual farmers. Many governments have taken the initiative in organizing cooperatives of producers and assistance along these lines is expected to be enhanced. When a number of small producers join hands to utilize the available resources and governmental support to the fullest possible extent, enterprises with the characteristics of large-scale operations can result. Although there are only a few of them at present, and many countries still find it difficult to motivate big entrepreneurs to invest in aquaculture, there is a definite trend toward the establishment of large industrial-scale enterprises, with varying degrees of vertical integration. This is particularly so in the case of cultures for exportable products. Even here, countries like Ecuador seek to limit the size of farms for socio-economic reasons.
The Workshop noted with interest some of the innovations being tried with considerable success. Friendly competition between farmers' cooperatives in achieving higher levels of production and profit appears to yield very encouraging results. Aquafood restaurants in conjunction with aquaculture enterprises reduce marketing problems and yield higher income to the farmers. Combination of fish culture with rice cultivation, vegetable gardening or animal production is also being experimented. Cuba has established a number of large-scale production complexes which include different culture systems to cover the whole country and expects thus to meet the total requirements of domestic consumption.
In countries with centrally planned economies like Cuba the entire industry would be in the public sector. It is generally accepted in all countries that research and other services have to be provided by the government, although private or semi-government agencies can also play an active role in research and training. Direct involvement of government in commercial operations was not considered productive in countries with market economies. The role of governments was seen as promotion, support and coordination. However, in countries like Peru the "social property sector" is demonstrating the ability to play a significant role in. all stages of the industry. State corporations will undoubtedly have an important role in the development of large-scale aquaculture, particularly in coastal areas, in some of the countries. However, on the whole the Workshop foresaw relatively higher involvement of the cooperative sector in aquaculture production in the next couple of decades.
A small number of joint ventures with foreign companies oriented to the production of exportable species, mainly shrimps, has developed in some countries. Probably because of the availability of other internal or external sources of financing, the participants did not show much interest in joint venture arrangements. The higher technological expertise and managerial skills that could become available through such arrangements were, however recognized. The results of the current joint venture projects in the region may serve to indicate their relevance and effectiveness under Latin American countries.
