May 12, 2011

Brazilian aquaculture progress is feasible in the Amazon

A research has shown that fishing and fish farming in the Amazon area of Brazil are activities with social and economic feasibility, according to a study conducted by the National Bank of Economic and Social Development (BNDES).

"Fishing is attracting a strong and competitive sector besides small producers. It generates employment and income, and it is an efficient activity," expressed the coordinator of the Department of Government Relations of BNDES, Victor Alexander Contarato Burns.

With the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) and representatives of nine Brazilian states, the bank authorities discussed a project to increase fish farming in the Amazon region.

For MPA head, Ideli Salvatti, fish farming is an environmentally sustainable activity because it is possible to raise tonnes of fish without cutting down a single tree.

"To produce 200kg of beef, a hectare must be cleaned. While on one hectare of water, several tonnes of fish can be farmed," explained the minister.

Currently, the national fish farming sector output amounts to 1.2 million tonnes.

"With 1% of the surface of water in the Amazon region currently, about 7.5 million tonnes of fish could be produced," stated Salvatti.

She stressed the importance of working together, "Through integrated action, involving all the people and the governments in the Amazon region, we are going to arrange the production chain and increase the domestic output."