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INTRODUCTION
THE BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT'S National Department of Works Against the Drought
(DNOCS)111 has received technical assistance in intensive fish culture extension
since 1972 through an Auburn University International Center for Aquaculture/USAID
contract. Task Order No. 8, contract AID/csd-2270, provided technical assistance
funds from May 1972 through June 1974. The last year, from July 1974 through
June 1975, was funded under Task Order No. 2 AID/TA BOA-1152.
In 1966, Auburn University personnel surveyed the DNOCS fisheries program
to establish guidelines for improving freshwater fisheries management practices
in Brazil's Northeast region. At that time, intensive fish culture was recommended
as "the most feasible solution to increase fish production in this drought-stricken
area." In the relatively short period since that recommendation was made,
an intensive fish culture research facility was built that has become South
America's largest. Its work in tropical aquacultural systems has already brought
international recognition to this facility. Intensive fish culture techniques,
applicable to the physical and economic conditions of Northeast Brazil, have
been developed using the Tilapia hybrid (Tilapia hornorum (male) x Tilapia
nilotica (female) 22 Through DNOCS, an extension program has been established
to carry these techniques to the producers. In addition, training of fellow
Brazilian and foreign fishery biologists has been initiated us-
ing expertise of DNOCS fishery personnel.
The author's contract participation dealt with assistance in fish culture extension. Therefore, this report will be limited to discussion of progress made in that field from May 1972 through June 1975, with emphasis on the period 1974-75. Additional information for the period 1972-74 can be found in "Progress Report on Fisheries Development in Brazil."3
Progress was made during the 3 years that the DNOCS Center for Ichthyological
Research was provided with assistance in aquaculture extension. The following
items highlight the most significant activities and advances related to the
development of the fish culture extension program:
1. A counterpart extension worker was assigned by DNOCS, thereby initiating
the first fish culture extension program in Northeast Brazil.
2. The former Division of Fisheries and Fish Culture under the Directorate
of Irrigation was established as an autonomous directorate4 under the administration
of the General Director of DNOCS, providing new organization and vitality
to the program.
3. Intensive culture of the all main Tilapia hybrid (T.homorum x T.
nilolica) was proved to be technically and economically feasible. With this
culture fish, DNOCS began an extension program aimed at helping regional farmers.
4. A simple but comprehensive fish culture manual (Cartilha do Criador
de Peixe) that could be easily understood by farmers of the Northeast was
published by DNOCS to promote fish culture and teach methods.
5. Twenty-five ponds of the Waldemar de Franca fish hatchery were placed
in Tilapia hybrid fingerling production. These ponds had been used for raising
fingerlings used in reservoir stocking programs. This action increased hybrid
fingerling production, but most importantly it directly involved DNOCS fish
hatcheries with the intensive fish culture program.
6. During 1974-75, farms involved in intensive culture of Tilapia hybrids
increassd from I to 13, giving momentum to the rapidly developing program.
7. DNOCS fisheries extension workers participated in training Brazilian
and foreign biologists. The International Training Program in Fish Culture
sponsored by DNOCS during March-April 1975 included on its agenda training
in aquaculture extension.
When the Auburn University fishery investigative team surveyed the DNOCS
fishery program in 1966, reservoir fish production was not meeting consumer
demand. Hunger and malnutrition were commonplace among the Northeast's poor.
Although the region is still plagued by these problems almost 10 years later,
knowledge from the new fish culture research program may help alleviate such
food shortages in the future. A fish culture system has been adapted to conditions
of Northeast Brazil and numbers of fish farmers have increased as word of
success has spread. A real impact on food production in Northeast Brazil can
be made by fish culture now that resources are available. To do this, larger
efforts in extension and fingerling production will be necessary,
_____________
' Research Associate, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures and
International Center for Aquaculture.
' Departmento Nacional de Obras Contra as Secas.
" LOVSHIN, DA SILVA, AND FEBNANDES. 1974. The Intensive Culture of the
All Male Hybrid of Tilapia homorum (male) x Tilapia nilotica
(female) in Northeast Brazil. FAO/CARPAS Symposium on Aquaculture in Latin
America, Montivideo, Uruguay. (In print.)
' JENSEN, J, W. 1974. Progress Report on Fisheries Development in Brazil.
Project AID-2270 Task Order 8, International Center for Aquaculture, Auburn
University, Auburn, Alabama.
* Directorate of Fisheries and Fishculture ( Directoria de Pesca e Piscicultura
).