As well be another source of income for our farmers and entrepreneurs?
We can develop seafood that's affordable, safe and easier on the environment.
We've domesticated chickens and cows and pigs, but we're still hunting wild animals in the ocean.
To raise a marine species inland, in a cost effective way, presents an opportunity to change the whole way aquaculture is envisioned in the Dominican Republic.
Is this a new opportunity that’s been overlooked for the progress and welfare for our nation?

While I admire your enthusiasm you must realize that Aquaculture is very different from traditional farming or ranching.

In aquaculture you have to recreate an entire enviroment. Chemical balanceing of the water is a 24/7 operation. One has to be part Chemist, part Biologist and a total businessman.
We aren't talking about a hen house with a few fans here. It takes a large financial investment a reliable infrastucture and an educated and specialized workforce.

Can it be done? Of course it can but it will take more than just wishing.

The state of Mississippi embarked on an ambitious program of farm raised Catfish some 40 years ago and has become a mega business and one that is quite profitable.

http://www.catfishinstitute.com/?q=the_catfish_farming_process.html

They are also raising Tilapia the same way or Mojara. But the size of the ponds are the catch they are huge.

Maybe the people of Malawi have expertise:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7683748.stm
http://www.worldfishcenter.org/v2/ourwork-health-hiv-aq.html
http://www.worldfishcenter.org/v2/index.html
http://www.worldfishcenter.org/v2/ourwork-aquaculture.html
It would be good to see if there is dry part of DR that has fresh water that approaches conditions in Malawi.
S.

abc,

Please stay out of this. You know nothing about aquaculture other than what you googled and your experience in business is non-existant.

I really appreciate the fine comments and threads, I need all the help I can get cause I am very serious about starting the fish farming business in the DR with other partners for many reasons, a few:
1. To start a profitable, environmentally respectful and healthy source of protein for all Dominicans.
2. To develop a long range and scientifically sound business with the latest technological innovations
and free of hormones, additives, mercury and chemically free for healthy and safe to eat fish.
3. To provide a model so that our research and savvy can be duplicated by farmers throughout the island to supplement their income like in other countries.
4. To become less dependent on fish importation which is a significant foreign currency drain to the DR.

well, generoso, your sentiments are mine, regarding this topic. i am willing to pitch in with whatever input i am capable of, to realise this venture. it is the 21st century, and we have to apply new thinking in the way we go about basic ideas like feeding the population, and raising hard foreign currency. sadly, the responses have been very sparse. maybe we could re-start the thread, this time with the word Haiti in it. then we would have no shortage of ideas, or, at the very least, opinions.

[QUOTE=generoso]
the fish farming business in the DR with other partners for many reasons, a few:
1. To start a profitable, environmentally respectful and healthy source of protein for all Dominicans.[/QUOTE]
As we have noted in other threads Aquaculture has it's own enviromental issues. Namely waste high in Ammonia

[QUOTE=generoso]2. To develop a long range and scientifically sound business with the latest technological innovations [/QUOTE]
That costs $$$ not just in equipment but in infrastructure and education. It can be done. Just won't be easy.

[QUOTE=generoso]and free of hormones, additives, mercury and chemically free for healthy and safe to eat fish.[/QUOTE]
Why? Those aditives you are complaining about have helped to feed Millions and saved millions of more lives.
Remember when everyone ate "Organic" The average life expectancy was less than 40.

[QUOTE=generoso]3. To provide a model so that our research and savvy can be duplicated by farmers throughout the island to supplement their income like in other countries.[/QUOTE]
I don't see a day where the average farmer can supplement his income by having a backyard pond. Not economically viable.

[QUOTE=generoso]4. To become less dependent on fish importation which is a significant foreign currency drain to the DR.[/QUOTE]
The only fish that is imported to the DR in any large number is Cod(Bacalao). A traditional dish that cannot be raised in the DR.

Aquaculture in the DR should be geared for Export. Particularly saltwater fish. There is interesting work being done with Cobia and Dolphin(Dorado). Also Pompano lends itself to aquaculture quite well.


[/QUOTE]

aC
I'm glad you know everything. You shout hire your expertise to the World Fish Centre and show them what they do badly in Malawi. A friend did run a fish farm and yes pH, nitrate and nitrite levels etc. are imprtant. But this is about as complicated as maintaining a swimming pool or marine aquarium.! Labs are needed for diseases of course. Russia is a major market for farmed fish. You could farm fancy guppies and Koi down there in Texas!
S.

I agree we can add the word Haiti like in:
RE: Aquaculture, aquafarming or fish farming can eliminate hunger in Dominican Republic and Haiti?
How about that?