Appendix 1

OUTLINE OF WORK PLAN FOR FISHERIES RESEARCH AND FISH FARMING STATION
- IQUITOS AND TROUT FARMING STATIONS HUNCAYO AND PUNO -

FIRST YEAR - 1974

1. Establishment of a Fisheries Research Station with Facilities for Fish Farming Development

A. Aquaculture

1. Establish techniques for pond management and operation of fresh-water fish ponds for the production of food fishes (trout and warm water species).

2. Evaluate the various species of food fishes of the Amazon River Basin to determine which of these are best suited for production under fish farm conditions (warm water species).

   Species with greatest promise for aquaculture are: gamitana, Colossoma bidens; acarahuazu, Astronotus ocellatus; sabalo, Brycon sp. and boquichico, Prochilodus nigricans.

3. Develop methods of fertilizing ponds for increased production and develop fish feeds from locally available products (trout and warn water species).

4. Develop harvesting methods and methods of preservation to permit maximum use of the product (trout and warm water species).

Rationale:

Production of fish on farms is in the first stages of development in that area of Peru which lies east of the Andes mountains. Since there is an abundant supply of fresh water and a shortage of fish for the market at certain times of the year, the future for fish farming in this area is encouraging.

Many of the species of the Amazon Basin are excellent food fish; however, intensive production of these fishes has not been attempted except in a few isolated instances.

Research is necessary to determine which species or combination of species can be produced most economically and which are best suited for marketing*

Land recently purchased by the Inland Waters Research Division of the Peruvian Sea Institute will be developed into a laboratory with sufficient ponds for evaluating the various species of fish as regards to their potential for production on fish farms. Some of these species which seem particularly well-suited for intensive culture are the various catfishes, sabalo (Brycon sp.) gamitana (Colossoma bidens) and others.

B. Aquaculture in Natural Lakes and Streams

1. The possibilities for production of food fishes in lakes and streams of the Amazon area should be fully investigated since this method of production utilizing cages or pens can be an efficient and inexpensive means of producing food fish.

2. Mountain lakes of Peru including Lake Titicaca are well-suited to development of either pen or cage culture of trout or salmon. This method of production can be developed on a large scale in Peru since lake water temperatures at the higher elevations are near the optimum for production of trout. This type of operation has the advantage of being less expensive to construct and operate than a system using concrete raceways.

SECOND YEAR

1. Continue evaluation of the species which offer the most promise for commercial production. A selective breeding programme should be initiated to develop breeding stock for future experiments.

2. In connexion with the Laboratory Development of Fish Fanning methods for food fishes parallel investigations should be made into methods of production of the many valuable ornamental fishes of the Amazon area,

3. Assist local government officials with the development of cooperatives for marketing the catches of fish from rivers and lakes of the Amazon area. This aspect of the economy is subject to wide fluctuations because of the great differences in catches of fish during different seasons of the year. Development of improved preservation and storage methods should be given a high priority.

THIRD YEAR

1. Develop pond fertilization techniques for increased production.

2. Develop a diet for use in feeding food fishes under intensive production conditions.

3. Hake studies of fish migrations so that these natural phenomena can be utilized in harvesting the resource.

4. Initiate surveys of fishermen of Amazon Region to obtain specific information on the economic status of fishing families, methods of storage and processing and market conditions during the various time of the year.

FOURTH YEAR

1. Continue investigations of fish production, pond fertilization and development of fish feeds using locally available material.

2. Investigate possibilities of developing the sport fishery of the Amazon Region. This area is extremely rich in a variety of catfishes and other species that are desirable both for food and sport fishing.

3. Complete preparations for counterpart personnel to take over operation of the stations upon termination of the FAO/UNEP assistance.

Assistance required