January 28, 2014

The National Congress of Honduras passed a Law for Strengthening Shrimp Farming, in a bid to boost the economic activity that currently generates about US$200 million in export earnings.

Shrimp farming is an important activity in the southern region, generating more than 27,000 direct and 160,000 indirect jobs. Even though the sector faces challenges related to fluctuations in international prices, the spread of disease and the impact of climatic factors, it has achieved significant levels of growth and competitiveness.

Deputy Rodanin Peralta Estrada stresses that the measures contained in the Act do not represent negative impacts on public finances, and will play an important role to strengthen this important industry and make it more competitive.

Some of the proposed measures are: establishment of a lease or concession period of 20 years, renewable for equal periods and an annual fee per production hectare (body of water in production) of US$40; non-productive concession areas will pay an annual fee of US$5.

Concessions or lease for the installation and implementation of shrimp projects will be transferable.

In addition, the Southern Foundation for Social Development was created, with autonomy and own legal status.

The Secretariat of State through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Serna), the SAG and the Institute of Forest Conservation and Development, Protected Areas and Wildlife (ICF), are authorised to develop and implement a joint project so that farmed shrimp production units operating in domestic land lacking of their respective concession and license can get them by a simplified procedure.

Shrimp producers with less than 100 hectares may associate to request and process their license or environmental audit, whose union organisation will be credited with an agreement duly notarised.

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