On 21 December, the Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in El Salvador, Carlos Liao, presented the first payment of US$641,667 as part of the second phase of a project to support the integration of fisheries and central aquaculture (PRIPESCA). The project is run by the Organisation of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of Central America (OSPESCA), a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and in partnership with the International Regional Organisation for Agricultural Health, (OIRSA).
The aim of PRIPESCA is to improve social and economic conditions of the population by supporting the implementation of strategies in the policy to integrate fisheries and aquaculture.
The Secretary General of SICA, Dr Juan Daniel German, said that the grant provides for the continuation of the major components involved in the regional management of inland fisheries, strengthening of fisheries and the coordinated management of regional water resources. These form a scheme for the sustainable development of both fisheries and aquaculture.
He stressed particularly that the grant will be used to train fishermen's leaders and support the gathering of information from across the region on matters relating to climate change and the involvement of indigenous communities and people of African descent. It will also help to develop the fist exchange between countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Central America. The Dominican Republic joined the group this year.
Taiwan is an important partner in the Central American Integration System, especially with respect to fisheries and aquaculture, and has contributed much to the policy development, which will continue until 2014. It also contributes its experiences and technological know-how developed over a long period and under conditions similar to Central America.
Honoured guests at the ceremony included Dr German, Mr Laio, Jaime Alfredo Miranda Flamenco (Minister of Development Co-operation) and Dr Hugo Flores (Deputy Minister of Agriculture).
Taiwan Supports El Salvadorian Aquaculture
TAIWAN & EL SALVADOR - Taiwan has donated more than US$640,000 to support fisheries and aquaculture projects in El Salvador.