July 22, 2010

Brazil to invest US$14 million in aquaculture research

The Brazilian government plans to invest BRL25 million (US$14 million) in studies to structure national fisheries as well as aquaculture.

The initiative involves the Ministries of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) and Science and Technology (MCT), two funding agencies - the Financier of Studies and Projects (FINEP) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPQ), and Sectoral Funding of the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Advancement (FNDCT).

The investment will be used for various projects, including creating sustainable aquaculture, human resources training in fisheries and aquaculture, as well as deploying, upgrading and recovering the physical infrastructure.

The government will make three announcements so that they can receive requests from anyone interested in participating in these projects.

The first action, with a deadline of August 19, will be directed to projects of scientific research and technology through the development of Environmental Studies and Management and Monitoring Plans, which seek to contribute to the aquaculture system in Brazilian waters with a minimal impact on the water quality.

The second action aims at broadening the training and qualification in relation to human resources. The deadline for submission of applications is September 13.

The final action, which expires on September 8, will be to select proposals for the financial support of the implementation, upgrading and/or recovery of physical infrastructure and the purchase of equipment from the Institutions of Scientific Research and Technology (ICTs).