Pd/a Crsp Eighteenth Annual Technical Report

The Peruvian Amazon is in an advantageous situation for fish culture. Survey data from 146 practicing fish farmers show that they culture a variety of species, but regardless of the kind of fish they grow, farmers view fish culture in a positive light. While gamitana (Colossoma macropomum) is not the only Amazon fish to deserve special attention, it is the first species about which enough is known to both manage wild stocks and develop aquaculture. PD/A CRSP research at the Quistococha Station near Iquitos, Peru, focuses on this species. Most respondents grew a number of different species, planned to build more ponds, were content with growing fish, and felt the pond was the best use of the land it occupies. In addition, most felt that the pond was worth the work put into it. One of the most problematic aspects of owning a fish pond is the loss of inventory due to human or animal predation. The data show 58% of respondents indicating problems with people stealing fish; 75% of the tucanare (Cichla ocellaris) growers had this problem. EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL TECHNICAL REPORT 132 cyclical deficit in the supply of fish coupled with a widespread perception that river and lake fish stocks have declined and will continue to do so are the primary motivations for fish culture in the selva. Commercial-scale fishers using large-scale fishing gear have depleted fish stocks in many oxbow lakes, further encouraging pond-based fish production. Abundant supplies of warm water, generally available pond inputs, and easily obtainable grow-out stock are some of the favorable conditions for fish culture in the Amazon River system. Fingerlings can be obtained through individual effort in rivers or oxbow lakes or can be purchased from fisherman. The reciprocal relationship between fisheries and aquaculture in the Peruvian Amazon is further enhanced by the wellestablished patterns of fish marketing present in the region. Alcántara’s (1994) study of fish landings in Iquitos documents the diversity of fish in the markets and the centrality of boquichico (Prochilodus nigricans) as the most heavily harvested species. Gamitana had a steady, albeit slightly declining, level of reported fish landings over the extended period of data that were available. Fish are a central part of the ribereños’ diet, many species are accepted for consumption, and fish sales seem to be readily accomplished locally or at market centers. In 1992, CARE/Peru began an effort to increase food security and raise incomes by targeting families in nine villages along the Napo River. Aquaculture is part of a broader strategy of community development, health education, and food security improvement. CARE/Peru also provides fingerlings, nets, small loans for pond construction costs, and continuing technical support for aquaculture. One aquaculture technician works with Napo river villages while five others provide technical assistance to the Tamishiyacu and Tahuayo river regions. When cultured fingerlings are available, ponds are stocked with gamitana. When cultured fingerlings are not available, farmers use wildcaught fry and juveniles or delay restocking until they can obtain seed stock. Most CARE/Peru ponds are operated by a single family, primarily for food security purposes. Many of these ponds have been built and are now only beginning to harvest fish. New technology for increasing the yield of current breeding techniques and expanding the period during which breeding is possible will provide clear and widespread benefits for aquaculture producers in the selva (Kohler et al., 1999). METHODS AND MATERIALS Sample and Data Collection Fish farmers were identified in selected communities in the Napo, Tamishiyacu, and Tahuayo River systems, which combine to form the Amazon, as well as in the Iquitos-Nauta Road area south of Iquitos. Structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 146 fish farmers having accomplished at least one harvest in the previous two years (Casley and Krishna, 1988; Townsley, 1996). The sample was drawn from available subjects in selected communities that were provided technical assistance in aquaculture by CARE/Peru and several other NGOs. The survey instrument was adapted from previous research conducted by Molnar et al. (1996) in five PD/A CRSP countries—Honduras, Thailand, the Philippines, Rwanda, and Kenya. The Peru survey, however, reflects the unique conditions and context of Amazonian fish culture, the diversity of species, and the singular relationship of aquaculture to the river fishery in the region. Ponds were identified in communities on three river systems north and south of Iquitos, as well as the Nauta Road area south of Iquitos. Data collection took place in early 1999 and was conducted by graduate students from the Department of Fisheries at Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana.