Maximum Nicholas, president of ADOA, said that the government will support a RD $200 million three year programme that the organisation has designed which will increase fish production to about 5000 tons, reports ElCaribe.
Currently, fish farmers are producing between 250 and 275 tons per year, which is a very minimal percentage. The country is therefore having to import 50,000 tons of whole fresh fish to meet the country's demand for 64 000 tons per year.
"It takes not only desire, preparation, but also the private sector training and knowledge. But this is not enough if there are no funding possibilities. If there is no government support in this regard it will not develop. You must remove financial barriers," said Mr Nicholas.
Miguel Silva, vice president of Nature Environment and Development Foundation, said that aquaculture production is a matter of public policy, because it must be a state-led effort but not necessarily executed by the state.
