Brazil aims at top ten in aquaculture

To achieve this, the first step is to reach a total production of over 570,000 tonnes of fish by the end of 2011.

 

In addition, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture plans to raise annual fish consumption to 12 kilos per capita in 2015, compared to the 9 kilos per person that is expected this year.

 

Brazil (now at position 18) aims to be among the top ten in 2015, when production is projected to reach one million tonnes, according to the National Secretariat for Aquaculture.

 

Today, aquaculture accounts for 33% of the total fish production in the country, which amounts to 1,240 million tonnes. "The goal is to raise it in the coming years to more than 50%," said the Secretary of aquaculture, Segundo Felipe Matías.

 

With rising domestic production, Brazil also plans to cut import volumes, which was around 500,000 tonnes in 2010 compared to the 524,500 tonnes during the previous year. The government’s goal is that this trend continues.

 

The national aquaculture secretary explained that Brazil imports large volumes of various species, which includes cod, sardines, hake and salmon, but intend to change this tenure in the coming years.

 

On the other hand, Matías stressed that the certification of fishery products is a global trend, but warned that "some developed countries want to use it to prevent the entry of fish from other countries."

 

He added that developed countries need more time to implement the certification and acknowledged that at present, less than 5% of Brazil’s aquaculture production is certified.