 |
|
|
|
|
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
During the 2-year period Dr. David R. Bayne served as Fisheries Advisor to
the Ministry of Agriculture, the fisheries program of El Salvador recorded
substantial progress, Specific advances were as follows:
o The Fisheries Station at Santa Cruz Porrillo was essentially completed,
a survey of lakes and ponds was instituted, and a farm pond culture survey
was completed.
o Research directed towards increasing harvests from the national waters
of El Salvador was conducted.
o The Fisheries Service expanded and began an active program of disseminating
fisheries information to prospective fish farmers.
o A program of community ponds was developed to further increase awareness
of fish farming as a production alternative.
o Arrangements were completed for professional training of fisheries
personnel.
Lack of funds for construction severely limited developments at the Fisheries
Station and construction did not proceed on schedule. At the time Dr. Bayne
completed his tour, however, the program had reached a stage where significant
benefits could accrue to the country. The next stage in the fisheries program
should be a melding of research and extension. Economically feasible production
techniques that have been developed must be accepted by producers before success
of the program can be assured. A strong commitment on the part of the Fisheries
Service and the Ministry of Agriculture is essential for strengthening the
extension program in fisheries.
A new fisheries advisor should have been present in El Salvador during the
final period of Dr. Bayne's tour so that programs in progress could have undergone
an orderly transition. Presently, there are two individuals with training
in fish culture working with Fisheries Service in El Salvador: David Dunseth,
Peace Corps Volunteer working at the Fisheries Station, and Ralph Parkman,
Peace Corps Volunteer working on a fish marketing study. Both are masters
candidates. One Salvadorean is presently training for a B.S. degree in fisheries
at Auburn University, and the Head of the Fisheries Service, Jose E. Cabrero,
will enroll as a Ph.D. candidate at Auburn University in March 1974. In June
1974, Cecilio Garcia Ramirios will begin study towards a M.S. degree at Auburn
University. The return of trainees will provide the nucleus of trained people
necessary to carry out an effective fisheries program. While the training
programs are imperative, the interim period must be utilized effectively.
A fisheries service without a trained technical advisor and with its head
out of the country could easily be diverted into nonproductive
bypaths.
Farm fish culture in El Salvador is clearly in a pre-emer-gence stage. Consumption
of fish per capita is less than one-fifth of consumption in Panama. Research
has only begun to examine the various production possibilities for different
areas of the country. In the United States, production of over 20,000 kilograms
per hectare can be attained under certain commercial production systems. In
El Salvador, with its favorable climatic conditions, production levels should
far exceed those attamable in the United States, once producers obtain an
assured water supply, a polyculture system utilizing supplementary feeding,
and management knowledge regarding production and harvesting. Envision a chicken
producing unit with waste material moved directly into a pond. Rafted on the
pond is a hydroponic
crop that is fed to the chickens or fish, or sold for human consumption. Within
the pond are several species of fish, each utilizing a different level of
the food chain. Should research indicate that fresh water crabs or clams would
fit within the system, then production would become three dimensional. Under
such a system, I hectare of water surface would represent 2 or 3 hectares
of production simultaneously. Applied research must be continued to attain
the highest levels of productivity possible. While some research results are
transferable, the situation in each country requires different production
systems. Thus, research must be carried out in El Salvador. It will be at
least 2 years, however, before experienced and trained Salvadorean aquaculturists
will be available to carry the research programs forward.
The externalities of expanded fish production are difficult to perceive,
but the possibilities are constructive. Producers with multiple ponds can
ensure a stable water supply by drilling wells, with the resultant benefit
of a domestic water supply. Full time on-farm labor for the producer and his
family, coupled with a higher protein diet, may improve the educational level
of part of the population. Each of these factors is difficult to quantify.
For a country with a high population density and limited land resources, however,
in- tensive fish culture represents one means to supply maxi- mum return.
In terms of protein equivalents per unit of input, fish production far exceeds
cattle or hog production. Before any of the returns postulated in this analysis
can occur, however, the research results must be transmitted to and accepted
by the production sector.