Foreign Developments Table 1.-World production of pen·farmed . 1981-83 and 1990 projections.

Salmon production (t) and nation 1981 1982 1983 1990

World Salmon Farming 8,907 10,266 17,016 80,000 Expected to Climb United Kingdom 1,000 2,100 2,500 8,500 Ireland 80' 103 256 2,000 Canada 35 140 180' 1,000 Faroe Islands 100' 130 160 2,000 Sweden 80' 80' 100' 500 Iceland' 20' 30 50 300 The world production of pen­ (Scotland), which produced 2,500 t of Finland 30 30 30 200 farmed salmon doubled during France 2' 5' 10' 30 salmon in 1983, is the only country ------1981-83. Of the 24,500 metric tons (t) besides Norway with a large and suc­ Subtotal 10,234' 12,884' 20,302' 94,530 of farmed salmon produced in 1983, cessful Atlantic salmon farming in­ Pacific salmon almost 85 percent was Atlantic dustry. Production of pen-farmed Japan 1,150 2,122 2,900 8,000 salmon, Sa/mo safar (Table 1). While 450' 680' 900' 1,800 salmon in other countries is not Canada 176 400' 129' 450 the farming of Pacific salmon, On­ substantial, but continues to expand. Chile 60 80 100 3,000 France 60 80 80 500 corhynchus spp., has also been in­ New Zealand 2' 5' 10' 50 creasing, the 1983 production ac­ Norway counted for only 15 percent of the Norway is the world's most impor­ Subtotal 1,898' 3,392' 4,119' 12,800 total world production of pen-farmed tant producer of pen-farmed salmon. Grand tOlaP 12,132 16,276 24,421 107,330 salmon. Their production in cages has , NMFS estimates. Salmon are farmed by two com­ increased dramatically during the past 2 Includes ocean ranching. mon methods. Cage culture involves decade, from only 170 t in 1973 to rearing salmon in enclosures until 17,000 t in 1983. During January-May they are ready for harvesting. The 1984, Norwegian farmers pro­ enclosures may be pens, cages, or duced almost 10,000 t of salmon, or Table 2.-Norweglan exports of 'armed salmon, by country, 1982-83. tanks. Ocean ranching involves releas­ 44 percent more than during the same Exports (I) ing immature salmon and harvesting period in 1983. If production con­ Change the fish upon their return to the point tinued to increase at the same rate, Country 1982 1983 (%) of release. This report is primarily Norway would have produced an France 2,710 4,293 + 59 concerned with cage culture, where estimated 24,500 t of farmed salmon United States 930 2,486 + 167 German y (FRG) 1,850 2,466 + 33 the harvest is predictable and can be in 1984. Future production is also 1,240 1,957 + 58 done according to market demands. projected to increase to an estimated United Kingdom 930 1,381 + 48 Sweden 590 824 + 40 The NMFS Branch of Foreign 50,000 t in 1986 and 80,000 tin 1990. Belgium 370 558 + 51 Switzerland 350 504 + 44 Analysis projects that the Norwegian production, however, Spain 270 453 + 68 production of pen-farmed Atlantic will depend on several factors in­ Netherlands 120 182 + 52 Japan 40 134 +235 and Pacific salmon may exceed cluding the supply of smolts and com­ Finland 140 127 - 9 100,000 t by 1990 (Table 1). petition from other countries which Other 40 94 + 135 Norwegian salmon farmers alone ex­ produce farmed salmon. Ironically, Total 9,412 15,464 + 64 pect to produce 80,000 t of Atlantic Norwegian companies have assisted Source: Royal Norwegian Embassy, Washing· salmon, but farmers in other coun­ many of these countries in ton, D.C., 1984. tries also plan to increase their pro­ establishing salmon farms because duction significantly. These produc­ Norwegian Government regulations tion estimates, however, depend on limit the size of salmon farms. Since whether economic and environmental the regulations do not allow the com­ conditions will permit such expansion panies to expand operations in their creased from 9,400 t to 15,500 t, or by of salmon farming industries. own country, several Norwegian com­ 4 percent (Table 2). Observers believe Norway is by far the most impor­ panies have exported their salmon that the salmon exports increased tant producer of pen-farmed salmon. farming technology to other countries because of the high quality of the fish In 1983, the Norwegian production of where favorable environmental condi­ and its year-round availability. farmed Atlantic salmon totaled over tions or potential markets exist. The Norwegian Government is ac­ 17,000 t, or about 70 percent of the Farmed salmon has become an im­ tively assisting and regulating the estimated world production. Japan is portant Norwegian fishery export. In salmon farming industry. The the second largest producer, but the 1983, Norway exported 15,500 t of Government assists small-scale entire 2,900 t of salmon farmed in farmed salmon, or over 90 percent of farmers by guaranteeing loans 1983 was Pacific salmon for domestic its production. During 1982-83, through the Regional Development consumption. The United Kingdom Norwegian farmed salmon exports in- Fund and the Agricultural Develop-

90 Marine Fisheries Review ment Fund. The Government also Table 3.-Number of Norwegian salmon farms Table 4.-U.K. farmed Atlantic salmon pro· provides funds to research institutes and production. 1975-83. ductlon. 1975-1990. studying salmon farming methods Number of farms Year Quantity (t) Year Quantity (t) and reportedly pays a $0.50/kg sub­ Salmon Salmonl Production 1975 200' 1983 2,536 Year only (I) 1976 400' 1984 4,000' sidy to airlines for shipping fresh 1977 400' 1985 4,300' farmed salmon. 1975 18 27 862 1978 450' 1986 5,300' 1976 33 28 1,431 1979 520 1987 6,000' The Norwegian Government 1977 53 31 2,137 1980 598 1988 6,500' regulates salmon farming by limiting 1981 1,333 1989 7,500' 1978 65 51 3,540 1982 2,152 1990 8,500' the maximum size of fish farms. As a 1979 72 75 4,389 1980 91 82 4,312 1 Estimated. result, most Norwegian salmon farms , NMFS projection. are small; the average annual produc­ 1981 97 118 8,907 Sources: Highlands and Islands Development 1982 136 127 10,266 Board (1975-79 estimates); Department of tion of the 301 salmon farms (rain­ 1983 179 122 17,016 Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland bow trout, S. gairdneri, was also pro­ (1979-83 data). duced by 122 of the salmon farms) Source: Norwegian Central Bureau of Statistics. operating in 1983 was 57 t (Table 3). This policy is intended to ensure that small-scale fish farmers can make a living. Additionally, the many small­ ty of which come from the United sion of the Scottish salmon industry scale salmon farming operations States. The Japanese Government depends on the future success of these maintain an industry and a popula­ does not offer financial incentives to onshore projects. tion in previously underpopulated salmon farmers. The British Government provides coastal regions. little assistance to the salmon farms United Kingdom Japan apart from regional development sub­ The United Kingdom (U.K.) is the sidy programs, which together with Japan farms only Pacific salmon in only country outside Norway with a European Community (EC) assist­ ocean cages. Japanese pen farming of large and commercially successful ance, have provided some start-up salmon began in 1973, when 1 million Atlantic salmon farming industry. All and working capital. While the coho salmon, 0. kisutch, eggs were U.K. salmon fanning is located in Government does have some authori­ imported from the United States for Scotland, mostly in the protected ty over fish farming (primarily to con­ freshwater culture. In 1975, the fjord-like regions of the Western Isles trol fish diseases), there are no regula­ Japanese switched to marine pen­ and off the northwestern coast. Most tions preventing large corporations or farming because the salmon grew salmon is farmed by large companies foreign investors from operating a faster in the ocean. such as Marine Harvest and Golden salmon farm. As a result, many The Japanese production of pen­ Sea Products. Other important pro­ Norwegian companies are playing an farmed cohos has increased from 72 t ducers are McConnell Salmon, increasingly active role in the Scottish in 1978 to 2,900 t in 1983. Japanese Joseph Johnson, Wester Ross, and salmon industry. companies are expected to produce Lancatch. Many small-scale salmon 4,500 t of farmed salmon in 1984 and farms have also started commercial Ireland as much as 8,000 t in 1990. The production in the past few years. Ireland produces farmed Atlantic Nichiro' company produced about Farmed salmon production has in­ salmon by ranching and ocean cage half of the estimated 1984 production creased rapidly from only 600 t in methods. In 1983, Ireland produced (2,500 t), followed by Taiyo (1,000 t), 1980 to 2,500 t in 1983 (Table 4). 256 t of pen-farmed salmon, much of Nichimo (500 t), and other smaller Scottish officials are projecting that which was marketed in the United companies (500 t). Currently, the en­ production will be about 4,000 t in Kingdom. Several state-sponsored tire production is consumed domes­ 1984. Since there is a limited number and private organizations are begin­ tically and the farmed coho salmon of suitable sites, the production of ning salmon culture projects. The does not compete with Japanese farmed salmon is not expected to ex­ Irish Government granted the Salmon salmon imports from the United ceed 8,500 t in 1990. Research Trust of Ireland nearly States, which are mainly sockeye The Scottish salmon farming in­ $50,000 in 1984 for studies which in­ salmon, 0. nerka. While future in­ dustry could eventually expand its cluded the selective breeding of creases in Japanese production are production beyond 8,500 t if projects salmonids. The Irish Government not expected to be exported, salmon on the more isolated islands prove does not, however, provide special in­ farming may eventually reduce successful, or if onshore tank culture centives for salmon farming. Japanese salmon imports, the majori- becomes more profitable. The few tank farms currently operating have Canada I Mention of trade names or commercial firms does not imply endorsement by the National been only marginally profitable, but Canada is developing salmon Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. some observers believe that the expan- ranching and cage farming to aug-

47(1), 1985 91 ment both its Atlantic and Pacific ment loans to fish farmers. These France salmon catch. Most Canadian ocean preferential loans, provided by the France has been experimenting cage farming of Atlantic salmon is in Faroese Industrial Development with ocean cage farming of coho the province of New Brunswick, Fund, are usually given for 10 years salmon with the assistance of the U.S. where 140 t was produced in 1982, a with a 2-year grace period and may Government (NMFS). The project, 300 percent increase over the 35 t cover up to 85 percent of the invest­ however, has not been successful in farmed in 1981. Some observers ment. The Government, concerned establishing a commercially feasible believe that cold water temperatures about the effects of marine fish farm­ operation. The estimated production along the Canadian Atlantic coast ing on the environment, strictly of farmed salmon in France during limit the potential for farming regulates salmon cage farming. 1983 was about 80 1. By 1990, the an­ salmon. Since 1975, cage-farmed Pacific Sweden nual production of farmed salmon salmon (pan-sized chinook, O. may amount to 500 1. Sweden produced an estimated 100 The French are also experimenting tshawytscha, and coho) have been t of pre-farmed Atlantic salmon in produced in British Columbia. In with farming Atlantic salmon off 1983. Most of the farmed salmon is Canada (St. Pierre and Miquelon) 1983, production amounted to 129 t, cultured in the warmer waters off less than 1981 and 1982 when 176 t and in the Southern Indian Ocean southern Sweden. No information is (Kerguelen Islands). The salmon proj­ and 425 t, respectively, were pro­ available on the Swedish duced. Only 7 of the 14 salmon farms ects are supported by The French Government's assistance to the Scientific and Technical Institute of operating in British Columbia during salmon farming industry. April 1983-March 1984 reported any Ocean Fisheries (lSTPM), and are Chile production, and one farm alone ac­ also eligible for subsidies from the counted for more than 50 percent of Chilean salmon farmers are at­ European Community. the total production of farmed Pacific tempting both ocean cage culture salmon. and ranching. Ocean ranching has Iceland The Canadian Government ap­ achieved only marginal results, but Iceland's small farmed Atlantic parently does not offer special incen­ the production of pen-farmed salmon salmon production, primarily from tives for cage farming, but does en­ is steadily increasing. The pen-raised ocean ranching, is still in an ex­ courage private initiative in salmon salmon is produced primarily by two perimental stage. Ocean cage farming culture. Canadian salmon farmers, development projects, has not been successful because however, have had problems obtain­ one Japanese and the other Iceland lacks sufficiently protected ing sufficient quantities of smolts. In U.S.-Chilean. The Canadian Interna­ fjords, and water temperatures are 1982, only 10 percent of the small tional Development Research Center too cold during the winter. Icelandic 1982 smolt production was earmarked is also studying a possible salmon scientists are nonetheless continuing for salmon farmers; the rest was used culture project in Chile. efforts to develop the pen farming of by Government for salmon enhance­ The production of farmed salmon Atlantic salmon. Icelandic salmon ment. A Norwegian company an­ in Chile increased from 80 t in 1982 to ranching, however, is expanding and nounced in 1984 that it plans to build 100 t in 1983. A major feeding error, may contribute significantly to future a large smolt hatchery in New however, resulted in the loss of about fishery exports. Salmon production Brunswick that will produce 500,000 200 t of fish from the 1983 projected by cage farming and ranching in­ smolts by 1987. production of 300 1. Chilean salmon creased from 30 t in 1982 to 50 t in farmers estimate that by 1990, pro­ 1983. The Icelandic Government Denmark (Faroe Islands) duction may be as high as 3,000 1. projects that the 1984 production will Salmon farming in the Faroe Chilean salmon farmers plan to exceed 100 1. Islands has grown considerably since market most of their production in Two companies are currently farm­ it first began in 1980. Total produc­ the United States and Europe. Some ing salmon in Iceland. The Icelandic­ tion of pen-raised Atlantic salmon Chilean growers believe that they will Norwegian joint venture company was 130 t in 1982 and 160 t in 1983. be able to profitably deliver fresh (ISNO), which operates Iceland's Marine farm production of Atlantic salmon to the U.S. market for largest salmon farm, expects to pro­ salmon is expected to approach 1,700 $3.oo-$3.50/kg. Because of the duce about 35 t of farmed salmon in t by 1987. According to some reports, reversed seasons in the Southern 1984. A U.S. salmon farming com­ if hatcheries can supply more smolts, Hemisphere, Chile will be able to sup­ pany, in a joint venture with an Faroese production could be substan­ ply fresh Pacific salmon to northern Icelandic investment company, plans tially more than the projection. markets when fresh Pacific salmon is to eventually produce 2,100 t of pen­ The Faroese Home Rule Govern­ not available in the United States. The farmed salmon annually in Iceland. ment strongly supports the export Chilean Government reportedly does The Icelandic Government operates potential of salmon by providing not provide financial incentives for some 40 salmon hatcheries and re­ technical assistance and giving invest- salmon farming. search stations, but does not provide

92 Marine Fisheries Review financial incentives to salmon the risk of disease in salmon farms. ucts to the U.S. (mostly frozen fillets farmers. Most of the technology for the and blocks), or 38 percent of Iceland's Australian salmon farms has been total fishery exports. Finland supplied by other countries. Accord­ The National Technical Informa­ Finland's pen-farmed salmonid ing to press reports, a Norwegian tion Service has made available a production is mainly , company will sign a contract with the report on the Icelandic fishing in­ but some Atlantic salmon is also Australian Government in the fall of dustry in 1983. The lO-page report, farmed. Currently only 30 t of farmed 1984 to farm trout and salmon in prepared by the U.S. Embassy in salmon is produced annually, but Tasmania. The company intends to Reykjavik, includes statistical tables observers believe that Finnish produc­ process the salmon produced accord­ on catch and fisheries trade. U.S. tion will increase. Salmon farmers ing to the high quality standards companies can obtain a copy of this receive no special financial incentives followed in Norway. (Source: IFR­ report for $7.00 by requesting report from the Finnish Government. Some 84/89B.) number PB-84-245208 ("The Icelandic salmon farms, however, in the so­ Fishery: 1983 Report and 1984 called "developing areas" on the Outlook") from the National northern and northeastern coasts, Iceland's Fishing Technical Information Service, U.S. receive grants and low-interest loans Imports and Exports Department of Commerce, Spring­ to help cover the high transportation field, VA 22161. (Source: IFR-84/72­ costs. Iceland depends on its fishing in­ NTIS.) dustry for a healthy economy since New Zealand fishery products account for almost Panama's Fishing The New Zealand salmon farming 75 percent of its total exports. In industry is still in the beginning stages. 1983, however, the fishing industry Industry Reviewed Since for wild faced severe problems such as declin­ The Panamanian fishing industry salmon is illegal, the New Zealand ing fish stocks, rising operating costs, rebounded strongly in 1983, as a salmon industry relies exclusively on stagnant prices, as well as increased result of a sharp increase in the an­ Pacific salmon produced by ranching competition in important export chovy catch. Over 142,000 metric tons and cage farming. Salmon production markets. Even though the Icelandic (t) of fish and shellfish were landed in statistics are not available, but New fisheries catch increased from 783,000 1983, doubling the 1982 catch. Zealand trade data show an export of metric tons (t) to 819,000 t during is Panama's most important about 7 t of salmon in 1983, of which 1982-83, the ex-vessel value of the fishery and the country's second most the United States imported almost 90 catch decreased from $274 million to important export commodity. The percent (6 t). only $240 million. shrimp catch declined slightly in 1983. The Government of New Zealand has traditionally been Iceland's Many observers believe that shrimp recently ended restrictive regulations most important species, but the catch culture will enable Panama to increase on ocean farming to permit the fur­ in 1983 was the smallest since 1948. its shrimp production substantially. ther expansion of the salmon farming While the 1983 cod quota was set at The shrimp industry is expanding and industry. The Government, however, 300,000 t, Icelandic fishermen landed the Government estimates that the does not provide any special assist­ only 290,000 tons. The Icelandic area of shrimp ponds may double by ance or incentives to prospective fishery was allowed to resume 1987. salmon farmers. Because salmon in October 1983 after a I-year suspen­ The U.S. Embassy in Panama has farming is considered a "new" in­ sion. The increasing capelin catch, prepared a 42-page report on the dustry in New Zealand, salmon however, will not make up for the Panamanian fishing industry. The farmers receive the same special tax decreasing cod catch because the report reviews the shrimp industry benefits afforded to all new in­ value of capelin landings is estimated (both the trawler fishery and pond dustries. at only one-tenth that of cod (per unit culture), fish aquaculture, artisanal weight). fishing, and the trout, , her­ Australia Iceland's fishery exports increased ring, , and fisheries. Salmon farming experiments in in value during 1983 mainly because Statistical appendices and lists of Australia have been successful and a production was switched from salted government fishery organizations, in­ commercial industry is expected and dried fish to higher valued frozen ternational organizations, fishery shortly. Projects for ocean cage farm­ products. Exports of frozen fish in associations, fishing companies, ing of Pacific salmon (chinook) in 1983 were valued at $307 million com­ shipyards, and marine equipment Victoria and of Atlantic salmon in pared with $256 million in 1982. The suppliers are also included. A copy Tasmania were underway in 1984. U.S. continued to be Iceland's most can be obtained by ordering report The Australian Government tightened important export market for fishery number PB-85-100972 from NTIS, regulations for imports of fresh products. In 1983, Iceland exported Springfield, VA 22161 for $8.50. salmon in September 1983 to reduce $196 million worth of fishery prod- (Source: IFR-84/76 NTIS.)

47(1),1985 93 Table 1.-Shrlmp catch In South and Central America, operators, but the postlarvae Peru, Belize Promote 1982'. delivered to the pond operators are a Culture of Shrimp Country Catch (I) Country Catch (I) mixture of species. Studies of the life Brazil 47.530' Chile 3.450 cycles of the various species, especial­ Peru and Belize have some of the Ecuador 29.500 EI Salvador 3,217 Panama 14,732 Honduras ly P. vannamei and P. stylirostris smallest shrimp fisheries in South and 2,686 Argentina 7,814 Nicaragua 2,655 could help the fishermen to adjust Central America, respectively (Table Colombia 6,028 Guatemala 2,490 Venezuela 4,747 Costa Rica 2,270 their gathering practices so as to col­ 1). However, several projects are Guyana 4,005 Peru 460' lect larger proportions of the desired underway in both nations which could Surinam 3,997' Belize 100' species. The Government, however, greatly expand their culture and the 'Source: FAO "Yearbook of Fishery Statistics, 1982." has not yet conducted such studies. A export of shrimp. , FAO estimate. , Data for 1981. longer term problem is the destruction 4 Probably does not include cultured shrimp. Peruvian Shrimp Development of the country's mangroves to build ponds and for other purposes. Peru­ Peru is currently developing a vian authorities, however, do share shrimp culture industry that will the concern of Ecuadorean officials enable it to substantially increase pro­ Fisheries suggests that there were over the gradual destruction of the duction. Almost all of Peru's shrimp about 2,000 hectares of ponds in Peru mangroves. culture takes place in the northern as of early 1984. Data is not available province of Tumbes which borders on actual production, but Bermejo Damage Ecuador, and the species cultured are estimates that most operators are Peru's shrimp culture industry was almost entirely Penaeus vannamei achieving yields of at least 1 t of severely damaged in 1983 by the and P. stylirostris. shrimp per year for each hectare of flooding which accompanied the Peruvian shrimp culture began in pond which would mean that Peru is 1982-83 El Nino event. Northern Peru the middle 1970s. One of the leading currently culturing about 1,500-2,000 was hit by some of the worst floods in investment groups to enter the in­ t of shrimp per year. the country's history. The serious dustry was Inversiones Nueva York ' Peruvian shrimp culturists face two flooding began in January and, as a (INY) which began operations in problems. The most immediate prob­ result, pond operators could not 1977. INY currently includes six com­ lem, limiting the growth of the coun­ resume operations until July. Not panies which operate 650 hectares of try's shrimp culture industry, is a only were many ponds damaged, but ponds in the La Cruz District of reliable, year-round source of postlar­ the destruction of roads and bridges Tumbes Province. INY also operates vae. There are no shrimp hatcheries in brought transportation in Tumbes a processing plant with two plate Peru. All postlarvae used for stocking Province to a standstill. Most com­ freezers and one freezing tunnel are collected in the mangrove swamps panies did not resume exporting until which, combined, can freeze about 11 by artisanal fishermen. As a result, November. Some observers were con­ metric tons (t) of shrimp in an 8-hour the supply of post larvae is erratic. cerned that the ponds would be im­ shift. INY exported its first shrimp in The availability of postlarvae is paired for years because of the large 1979, a $0.3 million shipment to New seasonal, following the natural life quantity of silt and vegetable matter York, but increased shipments to $3.2 cycles of the shrimp, and the artisanal which was washed into them. The million by 1982. fishermen cannot distinguish between same situation reportedly affected the shrimp species. P. vannamei is Expansion operations of some Ecuadorean generally preferred by the pond ponds. The Peruvians claim, how­ The Peruvian shrimp culture in­ ever, that to avoid such problems they dustry had expanded to about 30 contracted a Japanese consultant, and companies by 1983. Most companies as a result of his suggestions, the are small and only operate about ponds are reportedly now functioning 20-30 hectares of ponds, but a few, Note: Unless otherwise credited, better than before the floods. like INY, are substantially larger. One material in this section is from either the Foreign Fishery Information Releases The Peruvian Government through estimate by Alejandro Bermejo, (FFIR) compiled by Sunee C. Sonu, the Banco Industrial de Peru (BIP) editor of Peru's fisheries magazine Foreign Reporting Branch, Fishery and the Peruvian Development Cor­ Pesca, suggests that in 1983 there were Development Division, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Serv­ poration (COFIDE) have helped less than 1,500 hectares of ponds in ice, NOAA, Terminal Island, CA 90731, pond operators to obtain credits for the entire country. Another more re­ or the International Fishery Releases initial operations. Investors are now cent estimate by the Ministry of (IFR), Language Services Biweekly (LSB) reports. or Language Services asking for additional credits. Local News Briefs (LSNB) produced by the pond operators estimate that Office of International Fisheries Affairs, 4,000-8,000 hectares of ponds could I Mention of trade names or commercial firms National Marine Fisheries Service, does not imply endorsement by the National NOAA, , DC 20235. be built in northern Peru. Industry Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. sources estimate that it costs about

94 Marine Fisheries Review $0.25 million per 100 hectares to build and the illegal shipments from ery with the capacity of producing ponds. As a result, an additional Ecuador. These unconfirmed Peru­ over 50 million postlarvae per year in $10-20 million are needed to fully vian reports are probably accurate as 40 hectares of ponds. Eventually, they develop the area's potential. INY the extensive coastal flooding must plan to build about 400 hectares of Managing Director, Eduardo Gon­ have caused the production and ex­ ponds, sell postlarvae in the United zalez, estimates that such an invest­ port of cultured shrimp to have States, and produce about 70 t of ment could eventually bring Peru $8 declined in 1983. Recent reports from shrimp tails by 1985. million annually in additional export Peru, however, suggest that the ex­ General Shrimp Ltd., managed by earnings. Other observers believe that ports of cutured shrimp will increase John R. Snell, is currently construct­ export earnings could eventually ex­ in 1984. One estimate suggests that ing 120 hectares of ponds. General ceed $15 million. Given Peru's dif­ about 1,800 t of shrimp worth about Shrimp also plans a hatchery which, ficult financial situation, however, $15 million will be exported in 1984. however, may not be capable of fully Government assistance is hard to ob­ (Source: IFR-84/39.) stocking all the ponds the company tain. Relizian Shrimp Culture plans to build. Snell hopes to produce about 580 t of shrimp per year, but Peruvian Exports Belize has the smallest shrimp some local observers believe 250 t per Shrimp culture has enabled Peru to fishery in Central America (Table 1), year is more likely. increase its shrimp exports in recent with a 1982 harvest of only about 100 Silver Creek Shrimp Farms, years. U.S. import statistics show an t. Some observers believe, however, directed by Russ Allen, hopes to begin umealistically large increase, from that the country has the potential to constructing 200 hectares of ponds at only $0.9 million in 1977 to $35.9 culture sizeable quantities of shrimp, Independence in Stann Creek District million in 1983 (Fig. 1). This data, and several projects are underway by September 1984, and to begin pro­ however, is misleading. No data is which could make Belize an impor­ duction by 1985. Allen and his part­ available just for cultured shrimp. tant Central American shrimp pro­ ners hope to harvest about 225 t of U.S. imports include shrimp caught ducer by 1990. shrimp in 1985, and rapidly expand by Peruvian trawler fishermen and Five groups are currently involved production thereafter. shrimp smuggled in from Ecuador to with shrimp culture projects in Belize: Shrimp Feed avoid that country's export regula­ Two projects are under construction, Domestically milled shrimp feed is tions. Unconfirmed reports suggest two other groups have finalized their not yet available in Belize. Feed is cur­ that most of the sharp 1983 increase plans but are seeking financing, and rently being imported from the was due to the excellent year ex­ the remaining project is in the plan­ United States and Honduras. A mill perienced by the trawler fishermen ning stage. The pond operators have not yet cultured any sizeable quan­ for livestock feed is under construc­ tities of shrimp. One of the operators, tion. If Belize's shrimp culture in­ however, produced about 2.2 t (whole dustry expands as expected, the new weight) of shrimp in 1983 on 3 hec­ mill may eventually also produce tares of ponds as a pilot project. The shrimp feed. 4 40 thousand Quantity shrimp was marketed locally, but Pond operators do not yet know metric tons 35 because of personnel changes, those what yields they will be able to achieve ponds have not been used in 1984. in Belize. Most believe that they will 3 30 There were no exports of cultured be able to produce 2-3 crops per year 25 shrimp in 1983 and such shipments and, initially, achieve yields of 0.1-0.2 are unlikely in 1984. Two pond t of shrimp per hectare for each crop. 'Shrlmp from Peruvian 20 operators plan to begin production in Most plan to produce primarily mid­ sources may have million sized shrimp (Fig. 2). totaled no more dollars 1984 and hope to begin exporting by than $18 million In 1983 1985. Pond operators are culturing Industry Expansion 10 Penaeus vannamei and P. stylirostris, The rate at which the industry will the same species that are cultured in 5 develop is unclear. The Belizian Ecuador and Peru. Recent reports from Belize indicate that P. shrimp culture industry is now limited o o by a shortage of postlarvae to stock 1977 78 79 80 81 82 83' monodon is being tried. Most the ponds. The key to the develop­ operators also plan to experiment ment of the industry will be the pro­ Figure 1. - Peruvian shrimp exports with P. schmitti, but it may be some to the United States, 1977-83. Peru­ duction of postlarvae in hatcheries. time before those trials are conducted. vian observers report that the value Once there are operational hatcheries of shrimp from strictly Peruvian Pond Construction sources, cultured and trawler in the country, the industry could ex­ caught, probably totalled no more One project, under construction pand rapidly. The number of in­ than $18 million in 1983. near Belize City, will include a hatch- dividuals, however, with the necessary

47(1),1985 95 Table 2.-Projecled area of Bellzlan shrimp ponds, 1985-89. offenses. Mexican newspapers reported in Pond area (hectares) late 1984 that the U.S. shrimp trawler Project 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 BBC was to be fined 2.5 million

Bowen & pesos. The BBC was seized 10 Oc­ Allen 200 200 400 800 1,200 tober about 4 miles south of the Zabanch & U.S.-Mexican marine border. The 31-35 Allen 80 200 200 400 800 Jackson 40 140 200 300 400 newspapers claimed that the Mexican Snell 120 120 200 300 400 (40%) Crosby 200 200 400 400 Government assessed the unusually Others 40 80 400 2,000 4,000 heavy fine because the BBC had been Total 480 940 1,600 4,200 7,200 previously seized and fined. The vessel's owner contended that 1 Source: NMFS Branch of Foreign Fisheries Analysis estimates. the BBC should not have been charged as a repeat offender because Figure 2. - Projected proportions of a different owner operated the vessel Belizian shrimp production (shrimp when it was seized in June. The Mex­ per pound). they have solved most of the serious ican Government contended that the technical problems. The difficulties owners of seized U.S. shrimp trawlers associated with pond building and often make paper changes in owner­ beginning production in such a large ship after their vessels are released. As number of new ponds, however, sug­ a result, Mexican officials intend to expertise to operate a modern shrimp gest that production will not reach op­ apply the higher repeat-offender fines hatchery, is limited. It is not yet clear timallevels during the first few years. if a vessel was previously seized, whether Belize will be able to attract It is also unlikely that an adequate regardless of the vessel name or iden­ such individuals. Without hatcheries number of postlarvae will be available tify of the owner. to supply postlarvae, the growth of to stock such a large number of The Secretariat of Fisheries the industry will be severely restricted. ponds. (SEPESCA) has recommended that Belize does appear to have con­ As a result, while the large number the total of all previous fines be siderable land which could be devoted of variables involved makes project­ doubled when foreign vessels are to shrimp culture. One estimate sug­ ing future production levels difficult, seized three or more times in the EEZ. gests that there are over 40,000 hec­ the NMFS Branch of Foreign SEPESCA is trying to dissuade U.S. tares of land which could be used for Fisheries Analysis believes that pro­ fishermen from shrimping in Mexican shrimp culture. Belize does have one duction is not likely to exceed about waters, but would like to avoid the major disadvantage when compared 10,000 t by 1990. This would still be a more drastic measure of confiscating with shrimp culture operations in massive increase over the projected the vessels. In the BBC case, the Ecuador. The tidal range is only 1985 and 1986 production (400 and Government decided to fine the BBC about 0.3 to 0.5 m which will mean 1,000 t, respectively) of Belize's small 2.4 million pesos. The fine is double that considerable quantities of water and would also make the 1.2 million pesos that the BBC will have to be pumped. Other basic the country one of Central America's was fined after being seized in June. data such as soil suitability, availabili­ major shrimp producers. In addition, The Mexican Navy subsequently ty of freshwater, predation, roads, such production would be achieved announced plans to increase sur­ and infrastructure are not readily using only a small part of the 40,000 veillance activity off the state of available. The companies involved in hectares potentially available for Tamaulipas. Vice Admiral Hector Belize, however, believe that condi­ shrimp culture. (Source: IFR-84/46.) Argudin Estrada told reporters on 8 tions will support viable commercial November that the Navy will redouble operations, but that it could take up efforts to seize U.S. shrimp trawlers to 20 years to fully develop the coun­ off Tamaulipas. Argudin also stated try's potential. Mexico Hikes Fines for that so far in 1984, the Navy has Companies are beginning to build Illegal Foreign Fishing seized about the same number of U.S. ponds and it has been projected that trawlers as in 1983. This statement there may be as many as 7,200 hec­ The Mexican Government has came as a surprise to some observers. tares of ponds in production by 1989 begun assessing sharply increased While the Navy has not released a list (Table 2). Some optimistic local fines to foreign fishermen arrested for of seized vessels, only a small number observers believe that production of fishing in Mexico's 200-mile Exclusive of seizures has been reported by the cultured shrimp could reach 20,000 t Economic Zone (EEZ) without a Mexican press in 1984. During 1983, by 1989. At least some of the in­ valid license. The Government has the press reported the seizure of 68 vestors currently proceeding with fined foreign fishermen up to 2.5 U.S. shrimp trawlers. (Source: shrimp culture projects believe that million pesos ($12,500) for repeated IFR-84/94.)

96 Marine Fisheries Review