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>> Download PDF of this Press Release February 26, 2007 The National Aquaculture Association of Guyana Is Attending the World Aquaculture Society Conference on Sustainable Aquaculture GEORGETOWN—Representatives from The National Aquaculture Association of Guyana (NAAG) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) / Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) project are attending this week’s World Aquaculture Society (WAS) Conference, taking place in San Antonio, Texas from February 26 − March 2. Founded in 1970, the WAS is a non-profit society with more than 3,000 members in 94 countries. The society’s mission is stated as such: “Through its commitment to excellence in science, technology, education and information exchange, WAS will contribute to the progressive and sustainable development of aquaculture throughout the world.” The WAS conference takes place every three years and attracts some 3,500 attendees from more than 70 countries. The conference will focus on sustainable aquaculture practices throughout the world and will feature aquaculture professionals and scientists presenting lectures on specific industry topics, such as technical aspects of production, biology, ecology, species, and growing regions of the world, including the Caribbean and Latin America. Tejnarine S. Geer, Department of Fisheries Senior Fisheries Officer, will be presenting a paper titled, “Development of Aquaculture in Guyana.” Mr. Geer will speak on such topics as the GTIS market-led approach, public/private sector partnerships within NAAG, and rice and fish projects in Guyana. The symposium will also include a trade show with exhibits representing all aspects of the aquaculture industry, including producers, suppliers, seafood marketers, and press. At the conference NAAG and USAID/GTIS representatives will be meeting with investors, scientists, researchers, and industry suppliers in order to further establish Guyana as a prime location for aquaculture and gain assistance in developing the sector within Guyana. NAAG members represent all elements of the industry, including farmers, entrepreneurs, feed producers, members of the government (research and development), and non-governmental organizations. The overall objective of the association is to increase the production of tilapia to begin exporting this year. A feasibility and marketing study were recently completed, showing that Guyana has good potential for large-scale, profitable, export-oriented aquaculture. The association is building upon the positive results of the study (in addition to the knowledge that imports of tilapia to the North American market have increased ten-fold over the last ten years, making tilapia the sixth highest consumed aquatic product in the United States) as they lay the foundation for their goal of making aquaculture the leading economic sector in Guyana by 2015. NAAG reports that they recently made good progress towards this goal with the arrival of 250 pairs of supermale tilapias. Supermales are a special breed of tilapia with two YY chromosomes, virtually guaranteeing the preferred male offspring. Von Better Aquaculture, East Coast Aquaculture, and Fort Island Aquaculture happily received the supermales; the offspring of this supermale shipment will be the first set of tilapia to be exported from Guyana. With support provided by USAID/GTIS, NAAG is a member of the American Tilapia Association and the World Aquaculture Society. USAID provides assistance to private sector firms and organizations and government institutions to assist Guyana to become more competitive and develop export market opportunities.
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