SOUTH -AMERICA: THE BIODIVERSITY
TREASURE CHEST
The Fish Innovation Centre co-operates in South America with Biota BD Ltd., Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP) and UNICEF. The BIODAMAZ and Plan Binacional de Desarollo projects in the Loreto and Río Santiago provinces in the Peruvian Amazon have centered on research in biological biodiversity and supporting the sustainable use of one of the world's most richest ecosystems. In the fight against poverty and social differences, new commercial sectors are needed. Among the most important of these sectors are, forestry, the culture of special non-forest plants and aquaculture. The projects have strong ties to partner institutions and therefore support local communities by providing technical help, advisory services and training. Aquaculture has proved to be a significant source of income and has raised the health and socio-economic status of the local communities.
Peru
Peru is extremely interested in developing its fishing economy similar to its southern neighbour, Chile. In the Biodamaz project, FIC Fish Innovation Centre has developed possibilities to increase profitability of aquaculture by using local species. Farmed fish is highly valued, because of the ethical and ecological problems posed by traditional practices of fishing, for example, with poisons.
FIC Fish Innovation Centre, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, and Regional Government of San Martín signed a MOU to develop aquaculture in the region. Business opportunities in the culture of arapaima (Arapaima gigas), the world's largest freshwater fish were assessed. In this context, FIC has leaded a couple of Finnish business delegations to Peru and linked Finnish private companies and institutes to key stakeholders, export organizations and industry in Peru. Funds were raised through Finnpartnership programme.
FIC has assisted FGFRI in their ICI Programme in San Martín focusing on fish feed and fry production with special reference to selective breeding programme.
The Amazon is one of the most international market centres for aquarium fish. The Fish Innovation Centre and Biota BD have together, evaluated the economies of this sector.
The conditions in the Peruvian Andes are also favorable to the culture of rainbow trout and this is a sector prioritized by the government. Processing of products and the use of Peru's resources in the production of feed is the next step for the industry.
FIC can develop 'a Mountain aquaculture concept' and do environmental, technical and socio-economic feasibility studies when combining trout farming with operations of mining and energy industry in Andean areas.
|
