Page 28 - FAO Aquaculture News, May 2021 - No. 63

Webinar: Regional Review on Status and Trends

in Aquaculture Development in Latin America and

the Caribbean – 2020

he latest review on aquaculture development in the support systems, limited expertise, high production costs
TLatin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region has due to the high cost of inputs and challenges with seed
been jointly prepared by Mr Carlos Wurmann, Ms Doris supplies, and biosecurity problems and natural disasters
Soto and Mr Ricardo Norambuena, and this short article such as storms, floods and drought. Special Section | Aquaculture Reviews
provides key highlights. A video recording of each webinar
can be found here: www.aquaculture2020.org/reviews. Marine aquaculture has been the dominant production
environment in the region for the past 20 years, accounting
In 2018, aquaculture in the LAC region resulted in for 70.1 percent of production in 2018. Freshwater
3.1 million tonnes of fish, shellfish and molluscs (excluding aquaculture, with growth of 28 percent over the period
seaweeds) worth USD 17.2 billion at first sale. Over the 2013–2018, was mainly due to tilapia farming, while native
past five years, production volumes grew at an annual species, mainly characins, generally showed stagnant or
average of 5.6 percent per year compared with the world decreased production. Production models vary widely, with
average growth rates of 4.2 percent. The sector contributed a concentration of large-scale companies in Chile, and
17.9 percent to total fish production in the region compared primarily small-scale or medium-size operations in Brazil,
with only 4 percent in 2000; if current trends continue, it Peru and several other countries. The smallest firms usually
is expected that LAC aquaculture production will reach struggle to remain in business, mostly due to the lack of
4.6 million tonnes in 2030. appropriate policies, technical support and capacity-
building, as well as market conditions and accessibility.
Apart from some local exceptions, per capita seafood
consumption rates in the region remain low at around Production prospects remain promising, but they need
10 kg/year, which is approximately half of the global average. to be improved through better governance, the use of
Except in Brazil, Colombia and Cuba, most aquaculture appropriate technologies, reinforced efforts to guarantee
production is for export. Local eating preferences strongly
favour poultry and pork, which are cheaper or more INTRODUCTION AND KEYNOTE
accessible than fish and red meat. Welcome remarks Matthias Halwart
Head, Aquaculture Branch, FAO
LAC aquaculture is highly concentrated in a few countries Opening remarks Antonio Garza De Yta
with the combined output from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Secretary, Fisheries and Aquaculture, State of
Tamaulipas, Mexico
Ecuador and Mexico, representing 85 to 90 percent of
total regional production. Salmonids and tilapia are the Regional Review of Carlos Wurman
Aquaculture in Latin America
Aquaculture Consultant, Chile
main finfish products, while whiteleg shrimp and Chilean and the Caribbean – Status, Doris Soto
mussels are the main shellfish products. Approximately Trends and Options for the Way Principal Scientist, Interdisciplinary Center for
70 percent of farmed output is from a few introduced Forward Aquaculture Research, Chile
species, although over 90 species were farmed in 2018. Ricardo Norambuena
The whiteleg shrimp, Atlantic salmon, Nile tilapia, Chilean Center for Oceanographic Research, East South
Pacific, University of Concepción, Chile
mussel and rainbow trout, in decreasing order, together
contributed 80.4 percent of regional production volume EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSION
and 85.9 percent of value. Out of all species farmed, only Innovation and sustainability Yahira Piedrahita
22 resulted in production of more than 5 000 tonnes in for inclusive aqua-culture Executive Director, National Chamber of
development
Aquaculture, Ecuador
2018. Technology gaps, poor research and development
strategies, fragmented public policies, localized markets Main challenges for Paul Gabbadon
Director, Agricultural Development Bank,
sustainable aquaculture in
and marketing issues, and relatively high prices have all Small Island Developing Trinidad and Jamaica
contributed to this low volume. The small island developing States
states (SIDS) face additional challenges, including Narrowing regional gaps Alicia Gallardo
inadequate national legal and policy frameworks and and fostering aquaculture Director, National Fisheries and Aquaculture
alliances Service, Chile
Q&A AND CONCLUSION
Prepared by: Question and Answer session
Alessandro Lovatelli
E-mail: Alessandro.Lovatelli@fao.org Closing remarks Matthias Halwart
Head, Aquaculture Branch, FAO
FAO Fisheries Division, Rome, Italy
Moderator: Alessandro Lovatelli, Aquaculture Branch, FAO.

FAO AQUACULTURE NEWS – Nº. 63 ■ MAY 2021 27