MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Peruvian aquaculture expanding at an annual 20% rate

“Production jumped from 6,596 tons a year in 2000 to 115,271 tons in 2014,” said Vice Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Hector Soldi.

Aquaculture activity grows at an annual average of more than 20% in Peru, ranking among the countries with the greatest increase of this activity in Latin America.“Our country is an important player in the supply of inputs for the world’s aquaculture industry, it is not foreign to the growth trends that this activity presents in the world. We changed from a production of 6,596 tons in the year 2000 to 115,271 tons in 2014,” said Vice Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Hector Soldi.

 During the inauguration of the Annual Conference of the Latin American and Caribbean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), Soldi indicated that through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Innovation Program, entrepreneurs dedicated to the fishing and aquaculture industry will benefit.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food producing sectors, and today it accounts for almost 50% of the world's fishery products destined for food.

The event called LACQUA 16 is organized by the Latin American and Caribbean Chapter of the WAS, with the support of the Peruvian Ministry of Production (PRODUCE). The theme is “Innovative Aquaculture facing Environmental Challenges”, with emphasis on the need to promote environmentally responsible aquaculture using technology and innovation.

During the meeting all aspects of aquaculture in Peru and South America have been covered as well as those in the rest of the world. Topics include: Fish and crustacean farming, production systems, sustainable aquaculture, aquaculture courses and education, health and disease, physiology and genetics, nutrition and food, processing and economics, among others. (FIS).-