Colombia’s Fishing Promotion Yielded 200,000 Tons in 2023
Studies by the National Authority for Aquaculture and Fisheries indicate that during the Holy Week season of 2024, the demand for fish will increase by 6% compared to 2023, meaning that Colombians will consume about 47,000 tons.
Through a promotion program, the Ministry of Agriculture provided inputs and equipment to more than 3,500 fishermen and marketers.
Motivated by the Holy Week season, peace signatories dedicated to fish farming achieved a production of more than 30 tons of tilapia and cachama.
Bogotá D.C., March 26, 2024
The promotion of fish production in the territories and the restocking of species in 11 departments of the country allowed the production of this sector to reach over 200,000 tons of fish in 2023, according to a report by the presidency of Colombia.
This is indicated in a report by the National Authority for Aquaculture and Fisheries (AUNAP), which highlights the importance of this sector for the economy and food sustainability in the country.
According to figures from this entity attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, aquaculture production reached 200,000 tons and fishing production reached 81 tons in the same period.
Studies by AUNAP indicate that during the Holy Week season of 2024, the demand for fish will increase by 6% compared to 2023, meaning that Colombians will consume about 47,000 tons during the celebration.
“We invite you to consume Colombian products. The idea is that when you go to buy fish for Holy Week, make sure it is fresh, that the minimum catch sizes are appropriate, that they are not products that are in closed seasons, such as shrimp,” said the director of AUNAP, Karen Mejía Piñerez.
To achieve these results, the promotion program was fundamental, through which the Ministry provided inputs and equipment for artisanal fishing to more than 3,500 fishermen and marketers, and to 920 users of the aquaculture sector.
The Ministry and AUNAP also restocked fingerlings of bocachico, dorado, blanquillo, cachama, yamú, and catfish in 76 water bodies located in 11 departments and 41 municipalities.
Ex-combatants produce 30 tons of fish
Motivated by this season, hand in hand with the Agency for Reincorporation (ARN), peace signatories dedicated to fish farming achieved a production of more than 30 tons of tilapia and cachama ready for distribution.
These tons are the result of the work of associative units that collaborate closely with communities in different territories of the country.
“We invite the community and the country to participate in these commercialization processes as a mechanism to support local economies and contribute to peacebuilding in Colombia,” said Leonardo Sarmiento, leader of the Economic Sustainability Group of the ARN.
Records from the ARN reveal that the Ecomún Association, based in Huila, has stood out for the production of 15 tons of fish.
In Valle del Cauca, production reached 2,500 kilos of tilapia and 4,000 of cachama. In Urabá and Bolívar, each region has contributed 2 tons, respectively.
In Arauca, a production of 1,040 kilos is reported, and in Norte de Santander, 7 tons have been generated.
Soledad Quartucci | CEO/Founder, Latina Republic
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