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grown significantly of late and
considering that the country boasts one of the largest
natural heritages on the planet, owns 15 per cent of the
world's water and has an 8,500 kilometre coastline - 80 per
cent of which is covered by the sea - Brazil offers ideal
conditions for further aquaculture projects.
The combination of rich natural
resources and development within the industry has helped the
aquaculture sector to achieve a 26 per cent annual growth
rate, he said, adding that the sector has grown from 3,000
tonnes of farmed shrimp produced in 1997, to some 47,000
tonnes in 2001.
"Exports amounted to USD 125
million in 2001 and we are only using 4,000 hectares. In the
North West there are 350,000 hectares available for shrimp
farming. I believe we will become one of the world's leading
exporters in a few years. Brazil has a calling for fish
farming," Calzavara de Araújo told FIS.com.
Tilapia farming is also
growing rapidly. Production is exported to the US on a
regular basis, and Europe is also beginning to import some.
"We have a very good Amazonian species with white meat,
which is one of the first species exported to the American
market," he said.
Mussels have been farmed,
mainly in the south, for eight years. Representatives of the
Government of Galicia plan to visit to offer technical
advice and there are more deals with the EU in the pipeline,
he explained.
"We are creating some mixed
EU-Brazilian companies and we have begun talks on a
fisheries trade agreement with some of their
representatives."
"All we want is to exchange technology and training
agreements for fishermen," Calzavara de Araújo told
FIS.com, adding that the objective is to open European
markets to Brazilian products, as the country faces
difficulties over high taxes on its industrial products.
"We are not only seeking a
fisheries agreement. We also want a trade agreement to open
our markets to the EU and to have the EU markets open to our
products," he concluded.
By Juan Murias y Patricia
Lorú
FIS Latino |
