According to Analia Murias, of the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), the agreement was signed within the framework of the International Technical Cooperation Project by SEAP head Altemir Gregolin, FAO representative Jose Tubino, and ABC Director Farani Frame.
The objective of the census is to obtain a map of the Brazilian aquaculture activity and to learn its true scope so as to be able to better define and orient national public policies of the aquaculture sector with more precision, per the real needs of producers. In so doing, fish farmers will be able to organise themselves better, and produce more farmed fish as well.
"This agreement has already been discussed for some time, and we made some amendments so as to include the farmed aquaculture industry of the northeastern region," Gregolin indicated.
With the farmed fish industry census, the government anticipates it will be able "to compile data systematically," he said. Tubino also emphasized the importance of the census for the sector, and the head of SEAP's role in securing it: "Minister Gregolin is very active and we have been partners since the creation of the Fisheries Secretariat." He also stressed the tremendous potential of aquaculture, particularly in Asian countries.
The census is part of the Aquaculture Diagnostic programme, to be developed through December 2010. Other activities set forth in the programme include community-based work in shrimp and algae farming and in the co-management of coastal resources. Total investment in the project has been set at USD 5 million.
FAO Collaborates on Brazilian Aquaculture Census
BRAZIL - Authorities of the Special Secretariat of Aquaculture and Fisheries (SEAP), of the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) agreed to jointly undertake a farmed fish industry census.
