May 13, 2011

The Amazon to have fish farming centres

Five fish farming centres will be established in the Amazon region of Brazil for fry output, processing and marketing, according to the State Secretariat Head for Rural Production (Sepror), Eron Bezerra.

The officer held a meeting with the head of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA), Ideli Salvatti, representatives of the National Bank of Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and secretaries of Agriculture in Amazonia, in which possible ways of strengthening the aquaculture development in the area were analysed.

The minister said "One of our goals is social inclusion, generating employment and income. We are concerned about production and industrialisation. "

She noted that the Brazilian region had been chosen due to its ideal conditions such as water, climate and biodiversity which will help to develop fishery and aquaculture activities.

"Brazil has to be the largest fish producer in the world, led by Amazonia, considering all its peculiarities," added Salvatti.

The fish farming centres can be located in Manacapuru (Manaus), Parintins (Baixo Amazonas), Tabatinga (Alto Solimões), Boca do Acre (Purus) and Madeira (Humaitá).

Bezerra was committed to streamline the chain, eliminate the middleman and increase sales.

It has been recalled that there is a fish farming centre in Solimões, which includes Santo Antônio and Tabatinga fish factories and an Amazonian cod (paiche) industrial complex in Fonte Boa e Maraã.

Bezerra added that they have the need for a reasonable level of investment in the Parintins region.

On the other hand, a study by BNDES determined that fishing and fish farming activities in Amazonia are social and economic viable activities.

"The fishery sector is attracting a strong and competitive sector, and includes small producers. It is an efficient activity that generates employment and income," stated the coordinator of the Department of Government Relations of BNDES, Victor.