1. The purpose of this document is to inform the Workshop on the Feasibility of Establishing a Regional Cooperation Network for Aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Panama City, Panama, from 6 to 8 December 2004, of past and present efforts to establish cooperation networks in the region. The paper sets out to identify the contribution of different cooperation mechanisms to aquaculture development in the region and to understand the possible causes of the failings and shortcomings that undermined their long-term survival.
Regional Aquaculture Centre for Latin America (CERLA)
2. CERLA was the first cooperative effort of Latin American countries in the field of aquaculture. It was established in Pirasununga, Brazil, in 1978. The centre's objectives were to apply research to aquaculture systems, to train personnel for the development of aquaculture and to establish and operate a database for the exchange of technical information (AQUIS). CERLA was funded by UNDP and Italian Cooperation.
3. CERLA's main accomplishment was to run three consecutive one-year training courses in aquaculture for some 70 students from most countries of the region. However, its primary contribution to aquaculture development was perhaps its catalytic impact in awakening interest in and awareness of the importance of intraregional cooperation among the countries of Latin America. Its activities came to a virtual halt in 1986 because of insufficient funds and contributions from the governments of member countries.
Support to the Regional Programme for the Development of Aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean (AQUILA)
4. Through Project GCP/RLA/075/ITA entitled 'Support to the Regional Programme for the Development of Aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean' (AQUILA), the Italian Government provided funding to assist countries in strengthening their institutional capacity to increase aquaculture production. A programme of sectoral priorities in training, research and information was developed with national counterparts on the basis of their willingness to work together. The project was delivered in two phases: the first was based in Brasilia and lasted from September 1987 to December 1989; the second was based in Mexico City and ran from February 1992 to June 1994.
5. With 19 participating countries, AQUILA conducted a preliminary sectoral assessment of aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean, organized training courses on aquaculture planning, carried out a study on the needs and priorities of aquaculture research, formulated and supported research projects in countries of the region, and sponsored the design of a reference system for aquaculture research. Due to insufficient resources and the fact that no existing organization could single-handedly assume overall responsibility, it was decided at the end of the second phase that the network should be consolidated by assigning thematic responsibilities to existing regional organizations already involved in or associated with aquaculture.
FAO Technical Cooperation Network for Aquaculture and Fisheries
6. FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean created several technical cooperation networks in response to the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC). The Technical Cooperation Network for Aquaculture and Fisheries was established 1986 to facilitate cooperation in aquaculture among the countries of the region through programmes of training, technology transfer and information exchange. The network had a technical secretariat in the FAO Regional Office, a regional coordinator who acted as a chairman and a national coordinator in each member country.
7. The network's activities included short training courses, seminars, workshops, round tables and the preparation and publication of technical documents and a quarterly circular letter, all geared towards the realization of its objectives. However, the financial restrictions of the FAO Regional Office made it difficult to maintain the network's goals and the changes that occurred in the public administration of aquaculture in most of the 16 participating countries undermined their effective contribution to its activities.
Regional Network of Aquaculture Institutions and Centres of Latin America
8. This regional aquaculture network was promoted by the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC) from 1986, with the aim of attaining horizontal integration and cooperation among research and educational centres. Its objectives were to support aquaculture planning, to build management capacity, to promote the generation, transfer and adaptation of aquaculture centre technology for the benefit of producers, and to facilitate training at different levels and the dissemination of research results and relevant information to producers. The network focused on the exchange of information through the publication of a bulletin and assorted documents on scientific and technical research on subjects such as the culture of native species and rural aquaculture received from member institutions.
9. When the IDRC's activities ceased, alternative sources of support were found among local and regional institutions. The network's activities were in fact integrated into those of the Latin American Aquaculture Association (ALA), in an attempt to minimize operating costs, and both were hosted by the Colciencias Scientific Association, the Colombian Scientific Council. However, the network eventually ceased to function because of insufficient resources and inadequate cooperation among its participating institutions.
Commission for Inland Fisheries of Latin America (COPESCAL)
10. COPESCAL was created in 1976 and is one of several FAO regional fishery bodies set up to strengthen fishery and aquaculture cooperation on a regional basis. The Commission is currently made up of all the Spanish-speaking countries of the region, in addition to Brazil, Jamaica and Suriname. It operates through a secretary, based in the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, an executive committee, and ad hoc working parties dealing with aquaculture technical matters, inland fishery resources and fishing technology.
11. The Commission has undertaken studies on the formulation of strategies for the development of aquaculture, assessments of the state of aquaculture and its economic and social impact, the definition of the various types of aquaculture practices, the sustainability of aquaculture and progress in implementing the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. At its ninth session in San Salvador in January 2003, COPESCAL issued a series of recommendations to improve its effectiveness, including amendments to its statutes and a general strategic plan.
Latin American Organization for Fisheries Development (OLDEPESCA)
12. OLDEPESCA is an intergovermental organization based in Lima, Peru. It was created in 1985 with the main objectives of promoting the development of responsible fisheries, promoting cooperation in the exploitation of aquatic resources, and increasing the production, consumption and export of marine products. It has 16 affiliated countries and includes aquaculture in its scope of action.
13. This organization usually executes technical cooperation projects financed by external donors. These projects include research, assessment of fishery resources, technological development, marketing and training. It coordinated the Regional Assistance Programme for Fisheries Development in the Central American Isthmus, with six aquaculture sub-projects. OLDEPESCA has proposed a feasibility study on the creation of an aquaculture network for Latin America. However, no proposal or strategy defining its implementation mechanism has yet been put forward.
Latin American Aquaculture Association (ALA)
14. This association, created in 1977, groups scientists and producers from most countries of the region. Its main objective is to promote applied scientific and technological research and the exchange of information for the development of aquaculture. ALA´s headquarters is the office of its chairman elected at the end of each regional congress. This takes place every two years in parallel with other congresses or conferences to ensure the participation of its members.
15. A bulletin is sporadically issued with information on events, research projects and aquaculture highlights. However, due to budgetary restrictions, the ALA is not very active in cooperative actions in the region.
INFOPESCA
16. INFOPESCA is an intergovernmental organization that provides services to companies, associations and governments in all aspects of fisheries and aquaculture development. It is based in Montevideo, Uruguay, and usually pursues production, processing, distribution and other projects, always with a market orientation. INFOPESCA functions as a network since it is linked to agents in all countries of the region (including non members) and relies on a team of experts from countries within and outside the region.
17. INFOPESCA keeps a permanently updated database on fisheries and aquaculture, and belongs to FAO's Globefish FISHINFO Network which includes similar organizations in Africa, the Arab countries, Asia, China and Eastern Europe. INFOPESCA has also established a network of seven fisheries chambers/associations of Latin America which distribute its INFOPESCA magazine among their members or associates. The Director of INFOPESCA has expressed an interest in having the new cooperation network for aquaculture linked to his organization.
Latin American Network of Women in Fisheries
18. This network of over 350 women involved in fisheries and aquaculture seeks support and recognition of the importance of the gender issue to this sector. Important elements for cooperation among stakeholders, countries and regions are the exchange of information at all levels and the opening of communication channels. The issue of gender in human resources development is also relevant to the work of any new cooperation mechanism that might be set up in the region.
Ibero-American Programme of Science and Technology for Development (CYTED)
19. CYTED was launched in 1984 through an interinstitutional framework agreement signed by 19 countries of Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. It is a multilateral programme of cooperation between universities, research and development centres and cutting-edge companies. It operates through thematic networks and research and innovation projects. It has so far established four thematic networks and eight projects on aquaculture research and development. Subjects include culture techniques, nutrition and pathology.
20. The Vannamei Network (shrimp culture studies and technology transfer) is currently in operation and should end in 2007. The thematic networks are free to adopt any internal organization they consider best for their particular objectives and activities. The Technical Director has expressed an interest in CYTED financing the creation of this new cooperation network for aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
21. APEC is not a cooperation network for aquaculture but is currently conducting a feasibility study on the establishment of an intergovernmental mechanism for the development and management of an aquaculture network in the Americas, similar to the study being carried out by FAO. The aim of the APEC study is to determine if and how to develop an intergovernmental mechanism for the development and management of a regional network that would facilitate trade in aquaculture products within the Americas and in other parts of the APEC region.
22. The objectives of the APEC study include a diagnosis of the present regional situation for the purposes of establishing an intergovernmental mechanism for the development and management of an aquaculture cooperation network, of determining the best institutional and organizational structure and network requisites, and of holding a regional workshop to present the network proposal and have it discussed and endorsed by interested parties.
Virtual cooperation networks on aquaculture
23. The development of communication technology in recent years has allowed the creation of a series of virtual cooperation networks for aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean. One such mechanism is the ARPE Network which was set up as in follow-up to the Workshop on the Development of Rural Aquaculture held in Temuco, Chile, in November 1999. This is a virtual network operated by the Department of Aquaculture of the Universidad Católica de Temuco, with support from FAO. The ARPE Network has succeeded in keeping a group of active aquaculture specialists in contact for the exchange and dissemination of research information, the organization of events and analysis of issues important to the development of rural aquaculture. A lack of steady funding has hampered its effectiveness.
24. The Yahoo Group is another on-line information exchange mechanism created as on the recommendation of the COPESCAL ad hoc meeting on the expansion of the different types of small-scale rural aquaculture as a component of sustainable rural development, held in the Republic of Panama in May 2002. The Yahoo Group is complementary to the ARPE Network. It has succeeded in keeping a group of aquaculture experts in touch but needs additional funding.
