Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj says the Government will be spending TTD 3.6 million (USD 560,761/EUR 414,607) to boost the aquaculture industry. He also announced plans to revitalize the Fisheries Demonstration Pond at the Bamboo Settlement Aquaculture Demonstration Centre.
Maharaj said aquaculture could create sustainable employment and referred to a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report which states that “aquaculture continues to be the fastest-growing animal food producing sector” and in 2010 accounted for nearly half (45.6 percent) of the world’s food fish consumption, compared with 33.8 percent in 2000. Maharaj said there have been significant imports of fish and fishery products, in particular, frozen tilapia, which has been contributing to T&T’s high food import bill.
