The Aquaculture Network for the Americas is established

Odd Grydeland The hope is that an organization which is backed by the United Nations will be able to provide reliable information that can cut through the usual rhetoric and self-interested positional statements often coming from organizations on one side of the aquaculture debate or the other. The network recently made an announcement from which the following quotes were obtained;With the participation of 20 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, the Aquaculture Network for the Americas (RAA) was created last Thursday 25th, in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. The initiative counts on the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and will act as an intergovernmental organism for the sustainable development of the aquaculture in the Americas. Some of the planned actions are to make the cooperation mechanisms feasible, and to build institutions in the area. “For a long time, it was not possible to create the network for a bunch of reasons. In the last 2 years, lots of things were developed, and due to the effort of each one of the countries that are represented here after 34 years the network could be created. It’s very rewarding”, celebrated Mr. Matias, the executive secretary of the RAA. The importance of the initiative was reaffirmed by FAO’s Regional representative for the Latin America, and the Caribbean, José Graziano da Silva. “The idea of an aquaculture network was originated in the area, but we couldn’t, until now, organize ourselves to show our strength”, said Mr. Graziano. According to Matias, the network will contribute to the work in actions that are more connected to the aquaculture social character, than to its economic character. “In our continent, lots of people live in poverty, and there are huge inequalities. The RAA can contribute to reduce poverty and inequality”, said the executive secretary. Altemir Gregolin, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister, emphasized the potential of the Americas when it comes to aquaculture, and the importance of the cooperation among countries. “The RAA is born in a strong way; we count on the participation of the 21 countries which signed the adhesion term”, he said. For him, the articulation happens in an important moment as the political integration among those countries is becoming stronger. “This integration and cooperation is strategic for our countries, as food production and security are our responsibility. Fish is a splendid food”, emphasized Minister Gregolin. Network headquarters Brazil was chosen to be the headquarters for the Aquaculture Network for the Americas until 2014, and will handle the infrastructure and the logistic support. For the next four years, the main issue of the action plan will be to reduce poverty and inequalities in the continent. When it comes to money contribution, besides FAO’s support, Minister Gregolin announced during the solemnity that Brazil will invest US$ 1 million in the functioning of the network in the next years.