The main recommendations of the Workshop that require follow-up action are summarized below:
(a) Early action should be taken by appropriate agencies to incorporate the national outline plans for aquaculture development in the economic fishery development plans of the respective countries participating in the Workshop.(b) Fishery administrations should initiate necessary surveys and investigations to collect additional basic information for refinement and revision of the plans.
(c) Governments in the region are urged to allocate the required inland and coastal areas for aquaculture purposes and to protect them from pollution and other environmental hazards through suitable legislation.
(d) Based on the national development plans and the external assistance requirements identified, suitable requests for bilateral or multilateral aid should be formulated by the fishery administrations. Requests for aid from UNDP sources should be included in the next programming cycle (1977-81).
(e) Action should be initiated as soon as possible for the establishment of a regional aquaculture centre for Latin America linked to selected national centres. The Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme should take early action to obtain the support of funding agencies for the project. The site for the regional centre should be selected after detailed study of the facilities and requirements by an expert team and negotiations with the prospective host governments. The Governments of Brazil and Mexico are requested to confirm their interest in hosting the centre to enable further action.
(f) Pending the establishment of the regional centre, fishery agencies in the region are invited to utilize the training facilities offered by Brazil and Mexico in their national training programmes.
(g) National fishery agencies and industries are invited to utilize the facilities of the ichthyopathological laboratory that the Government of Colombia has established.
(h) FAO should assist in the organization of national training programmes, through the Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme and other projects. The preparation of suitable textbooks and other teaching material should be given high priority.
(i) The Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme should provide assistance to governments in undertaking feasibility studies and preparing bankable projects.
(j) Closer contacts between aquaculturists and aquaculture institutions in the region should be facilitated through the formation of a Latin American Aquaculture Association. The FAO regional bodies in Latin America (CARPAS, WECAFC and the Latin American inland fishery body to be established shortly) should develop active programmes of regional cooperation through working parties.
