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environmental sustainability and social acceptance, as well Increasing climate variability and climate change are
Special Section | Aquaculture Reviews
as competitiveness and foresight to deal with climate and growing threats in the region. More frequent extreme
market changes. weather events in the Caribbean and Central America are a
threat to whole countries, including aquaculture facilities.
Tilapia aquaculture has contributed significantly to food Inland aquaculture is impacted by increasing air and water
security in many countries of the region, but expansion of temperatures, decreasing freshwater availability and water
tilapia farming systems has been moderated in several areas delivery patterns. Droughts have significantly impacted
owing to fears of negative environmental impacts. Farming tilapia culture in the Dry Corridor of Central America and
of salmonids, which are also introduced species and Northeastern Brazil.
produced mostly for export, has contributed significantly
to livelihoods and employment, including for women and The aquaculture review finally focuses on a series of
residents of remote locations, but has also resulted in recommendations that require wider regional attention
significant negative impacts on ecosystem functions and for the LAC aquaculture sector to grow and for the region
integrity. A large proportion of cultured freshwater native to increase its overall contribution to world aquaculture
species are consumed within the region, as is the case in production. A number of key recommendations focus
Brazil and Colombia, where the majority of production on governance-related improvements, which include,
comes from small- and medium-scale farms. These farms among others, the need for solid and long-term sectoral
contribute directly to local food security, nutrition and development plans and related support policies, improved
livelihoods with potentially lower environmental impacts legislation, rules, and regulations. In addition, the
but often struggle to make profits and remain in business. promotion of a stronger country-to-country cooperation
Women have benefited from aquaculture in the region, on technical exchange, industry diversification and equal
especially in post-harvest and processing of export-oriented support to both small- and large-scale aquaculture will
species such as salmon, shrimp, tilapia and mussels, and likely foster investment and help the region gain a leading
with other indirect employment opportunities and services. position among world aquatic food producers.
However, the impacts of aquaculture on employment have
not been adequately documented. REFERENCES
A video recording of the webinar can be found here:
www.aquaculture2020.org/reviews

©FAO/M. Valencia (photo taken before COVID-19 pandemic)

Strengthening the adaptation capacity in the Chilean fishing and aquaculture sector to climate change, Caleta
El Manzano-Hualaihué, Chile.

28 FAO AQUACULTURE NEWS – Nº. 63 ■ MAY 2021