| The Presa Adolfo Mateos Lopez (El Infiernillo dam), is a very large water body situated in the state of Michoacan, Mexico, in an area with a relatively poor ichthyofauna. The dam is one of the biggest in the Americas and it was built in the 1960's to generate electricity. It was seeded with Tilpia which have formed the basis of a very large artesanal fishery for many years, and on which many families now depend. The quality of the tilapia stocks has declined in recent years and alternative ways of improving the quality of fish production are being explored. One preferred way forward is to use improved stocks produced under rigid hatchery control and to on-grow these in suitable cage systems. These possibilities are being investigated by Dr Antonio Campos Mendoza and colleagues at the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico.
The objective of the current project is to is to develop spatial models of sufficient resolution and robustness to assist with site selection and management of potential freshwater cage developments in the Infiernillo dam. The initial phase will focus on development of the spatial database based on international and nationally available information.
The second phase will involve field work to generate data on bathymetry, water currents, winds, etc, to be conducted in México.
The final period in Stirling will focus on model development and reporting. We expect this to be completed by June 2008. | 
