Panagiotis A. Pantazis a, b
a Department of Ichthyology, Aquatic Fauna and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 224 Trikalon Street, P.O.Box 199, Gr-43100, Karditsa, Greece
Tel +30 24410 66020, Fax +30 24410 66045, e-mail: ppantazis@vet.uth.gr
b Becario PROMETEO, Secretaria Nacional De Educacion Superior, Ciencia Tecnologia E Innovacion-SENESCYT, Sanchez Y Cifuentes Y Velasco, Edificio « La Provisora », Ibarra, Ecuador
Introduction
In 2011, total production in Ecuador (capture fisheries & aquaculture) amounted to 817.4 thousand tonnes (24.26% increase since 2000) of which 37.8% came from aquaculture activities and the rest 62% originated from capture fisheries. In 2011 freshwater aquaculture amounted to 18.8% of the total aquaculture production. As the total area of inland waters is more than 30% of the total water area of the Ecuadorian continental shelf, a significant potential exists for the enhancement of freshwater aquaculture in Ecuador.
Ecuador also holds a positive export / import balance (USD million) for fisheries & aquaculture products (2,494.0 / 293.7), however its per capita fish consumption is still low, around 8kg/yr compared to the E.U. average which is around 27kg/capita/yr.
[ <http://www.fao.org/fishery/facp/ECU/es#CountrySector-GenGeoEconReport> ]
This study aims at investigating the current status of freshwater fisheries and aquaculture in two Ecuadorian Provinces (Esmeraldas & Sucumbios) and suggests methods and policies for their improvement in terms of production methods, total landings and sustainable management of local human and natural resources.
Materials and Methods
This study is facilitated by the cooperation of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture (MAGAP - Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería, Acuacultura y Pesca - Zona 1 / <http://www.agricultura.gob.ec/el-ministerio/> ) which provides transport to the study areas and contacts with local civil services and fisheries / aquaculture professionals.
Results and Discussion
Sucumbios is a province with a variety of climatic conditions affecting the variety of local flora and fauna. On the West of this province and by the borders with the Carchi and Imbaburra provinces, there are high mountainous areas (altitudes between 2,500-4,000 m), which favour the production of psychrophilic species, i.e. rainbow trout. On the East of the Sucumbios province, the altitude ranges between 250 and 350 m above sea level and by the borders with Peru and Colombia the climatic conditions are tropical (Amazonia). Water temperature is high all year-round and there are quite a few indigenous and imported species that are farmed successfully. These species are: Cachama blanca (Piaractus brachypomus), Cachama negra (Colossoma macropomum), Sabalo (Brycon spp.), Bocachico (Prochilodus nigricans) and tilapia (Oreochromis spp.). Farms, which cultivate these species, use earthen ponds at various sizes depending on the fish stage: 15mX17m, 35mX17m, and 70mX17m. They employ poly-culture systems as most of the above species utilize different niches of the same earthen pond. Water renewal ranges from 5% to 40% of the water volume per day. However more efforts are needed for the amelioration of the existing production techniques as acidification and eutrophication might occur seasonally. Dietary supplements are administered in the form of intact agricultural grains or flours with the exception of some tilapia pellets, still no specialized dietary formulas exist for the indigenous species. There is some information for the existence of a processing plant for cachama and tilapia, however processing and distribution of the final product seems to be sporadic and seasonal as fish farmers cannot guarantee a stable supply of fish at the commercial size all year-round.
The Esmeraldas province is situated by the Pacific coastline. It is a province where marine fisheries are the main source of aquatic products with some aquaculture activities mainly focused on shrimp. However, in this province there is a lack of fresh fish, as most landings occurring from marine fisheries travel to other provinces in the mainland, where the demand for fresh fish is increasing.
In 2012 a project supported by the government has introduced tilapia in earthen ponds (40mX25m) constructed in various parts of the province. However the mechanical texture and composition of the soil has not been the appropriate in all areas (lack of clay) and therefore seepage has occurred resulting in a significant loss of water and fish. Further problems occurred with the ownership status of these ponds as they are in private lands and often claimed by farmers who do not own these lands.
In rural areas, land farmers have an interest for indigenous species: Sabalo (Brycon spp.), Belone (Strongylura fluviatilis), Guayas cichlid (Cichlasoma festae) and Chame (Dormitator latifrons). These species could be incorporated in existing local agricultural systems and help small farmers to increase their income and supply local and distant markets with good quality fresh fish.
In conclusion, the expansion of fresh water aquaculture in this province would help the local consumption but also a great deal of this augmented production would be transported to other regions in the mainland (i.e. Imbaburra, Pinchincha) which absorb quite a lot of fish from other parts of the country (i.e. Guayaquil). There is always the option of exporting to neighboring countries (Colombia, Peru, etc) or even to the U.S.
This investigation is ongoing so that more data acquisition will allow the successful completion of this project.
Acknowledgements
This project is funded by the Secretaria Nacional De Educacion Superior, Ciencia Tecnologia E Innovacion (SENESCYT), Ecuador.
It is essential to acknowledge the support of the officials of the Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería, Acuacultura y Pesca del Ecuador (MAGAP) - Zona 1, whose contribution has been crucial for data outsourcing and establishing contacts with local officials and professionals.
I would also like to acknowledge the support of the colleagues of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador, Sede Esmeraldas (PUCESE) who had provided vital information for the Esmeraldas province.