December 2, 2011
Federal funds to promote aquaculture in Brazil
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Brasil (MPA) sealed two agreements with the city of Angra dos Reis for a total of BRL325,000 (US$71,900) to promote the development of aquaculture in the region of Costa Verde, RÃo de Janeiro.
One of the agreements has been signed for the development of a production centre of bijupirá or cobia (Rachycentron canadum), which will have 10 tanks with a capacity to produce 36 tonnes of fish per year. The project also includes training for producers in Ilha Grande Bay.
The second agreement aims to increase the production of scallops by 300% in the region through the purchase of necessary equipment for farming and for technical assistance to producers.
The two projects will be developed in collaboration with the Association of Shellfish Producers of Ilha Grande Bay (AMBIG).
At the signing ceremony of the agreements, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Sérgio Luiz, highlighted the rapid growth that aquaculture is having worldwide and the potential that Brazil offers for its development.
"The activity is growing throughout the world and has proven to be viable in Brazil. We have had very positive experiences with the breeding of farmed fish and I'm sure bijupirá production in Ilha Grande Bay will soon be an alternative for fishermen in this region," stated the minister.
