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>> Download PDF of this Press Release September 7, 2006 Achievements Accumulate for Guyana’s Representatives at the Seventh International Symposium on Tilapia Aquaculture in Veracruz, Mexico VERACRUZ, MEXICO—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 have made great progress at the Seventh International Symposium on Tilapia Aquaculture in Veracruz, Mexico. The Symposium, which features renowned tilapia biologists, researchers, industry suppliers, and seafood marketers, has proven to be an ideal starting point for making connections within the worldwide aquaculture sector. Contact and preliminary discussions have been made with a regional supplier of supermales, a strain of tilapias that guarantees male offspring; males are preferred, as they grow faster and larger than females. The same company also provides farm management expertise to new and developing aquaculture farms. Supermales are considered cutting edge technology within tilapia aquaculture and Guyana is already in possession of 30 supermale tilapias. The technical director of the company was pleased to hear of this progress within Guyana’s relatively new sector and offered any necessary future assistance. On the marketing front, NAAG has learned of key tilapia market areas that are likely to open up in the near future as a result of Ecuador re-substituting shrimp for tilapia in some of its aquaculture farms. Guyana is in a perfect position to fill gaps left in the market. Knowledge has also been gained in regards to current value of tilapia in the UK, a potentially profitable market. NAAG representatives also received confirmation that the correct types of tilapia are being produced in Guyana for current demand, and the priorities of the Department of Fisheries mirror those of major aquaculture farms around the world. Talks with farmers and technical experts have led to new ways of improving polyculture in Guyana. Polyculture is a form of agriculture using multiple crops in the same space. Within aquaculture it could involve the growth of more than one species, such as tilapia and shrimp, tilapia and pacu, or tilapia and rice. Polyculture is an area that one NAAG member in attendance, East Coast Aquaculture’s Chandradat Carpen, is interested in pursuing. Work has also already begun regarding an invite that was extended by the President of the President of the World Aquaculture Society’s Latin America Chapter. The invite was for the NAAG to present a short paper on aquaculture in Guyana at the upcoming Aquaculture 2007 Conference in Texas. The event happens every three years and is the largest aquaculture meeting in the world. Aquaculture in Guyana has thus far involved only small ventures, however, due to declining revenues from traditional sectors, and shrinking numbers of key marine species, focus is being placed on aquaculture as an important sector for Guyana’s future. A feasibility and marketing study were recently completed, showing that Guyana has good potential for large-scale, exportoriented aquaculture. The studies also revealed that aquaculture has the potential of growing into one of Guyana’s most profitable export sectors.
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