Amazon Aquaculture Outreach
New Aquaculture Systems/New Species Research (10NSR1)
Final Report
Christopher C. Kohler
Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL, USA
Susan T. Kohler
Economic and Regional Development Office
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL, USA
Fernando Alcantara
Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonia Peruana
Iquitos, Peru
William M. Camargo
Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Carbondale, IL, USA
Salvador Tello
Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonia Peruana
Iquitos, Peru
Abstract
Outreach activities significantly benefited nearly 100 producers along the Iquitos-Nauta Road and in remote areas of the Peruvian Amazon. To assess the quality of extension services provided, producers were surveyed through a questionnaire to assess quality of extension provided and to obtain suggestions on how to improve the program. Two methods ("Master Aquaculturists" certification and "on-farm research") were utilized to provide technical assistance in aquaculture techniques to local and prospective fish farmers. We certified four "Master Aquaculturists" and conducted "on-farm research" with paiche (Arapaima gigas) culture in ponds. In general, A. gigas exhibited excellent growth and survival, with observed growth rate being similar to reports by other authors using the same cultivation procedures. Additionally, the two extensionists provided aquaculture training to 321 vocational students, 8 teachers and 79 university students. Further, 40 individuals representing Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Peru were provided short aquaculture training courses. The final goal of the outreach program was reached through the creation of a website on Amazonian aquaculture; this website has become an important tool to communicate the work done by research institutions in the USA, most Amazon nations, and elsewhere (over 1800 hits last year alone).
Introduction
In South America, eight countries have USAID-presence status (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela). Excluding Paraguay, these countries are linked by major river systems, particularly the drainages comprising the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, which contain the highest diversity of freshwater fishes in
the world. Accordingly, South America offers a special opportunity to develop appropriate technologies to cultivate alternative aquaculture species native to this continent.
In the Peruvian Amazon, three important institutions are working with aquaculture: Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonia Peruana (IIAP), Ministerio de Pesqueria (Peruvian Government), and Universidad Nacional de la Amazo
