The Dominican Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Research ( IDIAF ) has been at the forefront of major initiatives to improve the production of shellfish and fish , especially towards the tourism sector, which receives about four million visitors, reports Listin.
Estimates state that the country imports between 30 and 35 thousand tons of fish and shellfish , which represents about US $ 80 million.
About 14,000 tons are produced locally.
Difficulties in obtaining funding, high prices, poor quality food, poor farm management, lack of training and low stocks are a number of the contraints.
Taiwanese and Dominican governments have joined together to set up a fish project that will ultimately cost DR$ 10 million, compromising of 15 ponds, that will house 82,000 fingerlings to produce over 40,000 pounds of fish per year.
Direct responsibility is under the Directorate General Border Development ( DGDF ). Its owner, Manuel de Jesus Florentino y Florentino, and the Ambassador of Taiwan, Tsai Isaac , and the head of the Technical Mission of the legation, Felipe Kung, led the opening next to the director for the Promotion of Border Communities , Rafael Luna Pichirilo and other authorities of these entities and the region.
The first stage consists of three rectangular ponds of land with an average of 1,200 meters in diameter and 1.5 meters deep , two circular concrete tanks 10 feet in diameter , where thousands of fingerlings were released in 120 days will produce more than 15,000 pounds fish biologist said Tejera Marina project.
The fish project initiated by the Taiwan Embassy gives 7.2 million dollars, a counterpart of the DGDF 2.2 million dollars in equipment and personnel , plus a contribution from the community of 290 thousand dollars in land.
Manuel de Jesus Florentino y Florentino explained that representatives of 45 families were trained in cooperative , breeding and fish management , administration and marketing to ensure project success . He said the initiative translates into food security and jobs while creating hope.
Developing Aquaculture In Dominica
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - There is great potential for the growth of aquaculture in the Dominican Republic, however there appears to be a lack of funding. The Taiwanese and Dominican governments have joined together to develop the aquaculture industry.
