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INTRODUCTION
THE EL SALVADOR Fishery Resources Service of the General Directorate of Natural
Renewable Resources (DGRNR), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG),
received technical assistance in aquaculture research and extension and inland
fisheries development from 1972 to 1976 through a contract between the Agency
for International Development and Aubum University's International Center
for Aquaculture. Contract AID/la-688 provided technical assistance funds from
January 1, 1972, to December 31, 1973, for Dr. David R. Bayne, Assistant Professor,
Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, as full-time resident fisheries
advisor. His work focused on the following areas, as outlined in detail in
his 1974 report':
1. Renovation and expansion of research and supporting facilities at the Santa
Cruz Porrillo Fisheries Station.
2. Aquacultural research with emphasis on increased fish production.
3. Aquacultural extension to disseminate improved technology to farmers and
other user groups.
4. Investigations of the fishery resources of major lakes and other natural
waters of El Salvador.
The work was carried out in conjunction
with host-country technical personnel, U. S. Peace Corps Volunteers, and shortterm
technical fisheries staff from Aubum University. By the end of Bayne's 2-year
tour, substantial progress had been achieved, including the following:
1. Near completion of the renovation and expansion of research and supporting
facilities at the Santa Cruz Porrillo Fisheries Station.
2. Initiation of a country-wide project to survey lakes and rivers for fisheries
statistics, limnology, and fishery biology data, and the testing and evaluation
or fish gear and capture techniques.
3. Establishment ,of an active aquacultural extension program.
4. Establishment of an active program of practical aquacultural research designed
to increase production and profit for the fish farm operator.
5. Initiation of academic training in aquaculture and fisheries for two host-country
staff.
Just prior to Bayne's departure
in 1973 an economic evaluation of the freshwater fisheries of El Salvador
was made by Dr. E. W. McCoy, of Aubum University, at the request of USAID/EI
Salvador. In a 1974 report", McCoy described the emerging state of fish
culture in El Salvador and stressed the necessity for continuing applied research
to reach the highest possible level of production and the subsequent melding
of research and extension for a successful fiefd program. He analyzed the
macro- and micro-impact of increased fish production, and the need for providing
both short- and long-run capital for production and processing. For the period
of January I to September 9, 1974, the Fisheries Department had no resident
fisheries advisor. Until March 1974, Sr. Jose E. Cabrero was head of the Fisheries
Service and managed the Fisheries Project. In late March he enrolled in the
Graduate School of Aubum University in a Ph.D. degree program in the Department
of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures. From March 1974 until the arrival of
the author in September 1974, the Fisheries Project was coordinated by ST.
Enrique Castro Butter, a graduate in biology from the University of El Salvador,
Sr. Butter continued to serve as Acting Fisheries Chief until the return of
Dr. Cabrero in early 1976.
The author was employed as the resident fisheries advisor of the Fisheries
Project, contract No. AID/la-688, beginning September 9, 1974. Efforts while
in-country were focused principally with the aquacultural research and extension
programs, and to a limited extent in assisting the Fisheries Service with
marine and freshwater fisheries biology, fish capture programs, and general
fisheries administration. This report limits its discussion to the progress
made during the author's tour of duty.
_____________
'The
fisheries development program was financially supported by the Government
of El Salvador and the U. S. Agency for International Development.
'Research Associate, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures.
'BAYNE, DAVID R. 1974. Progress Report on Fisheries Development in El Salvador.
Res. and Dev. Ser. 7. Auburn Univ. (Ala.) Agr. Exp. Sta. Int Center for Aauaculture.