INFOPESCA Internacional 17

Fish production and trade in Central America and the Caribbean
By Helga Josupeit and Nicole Franz
The status of trading for fishing and aquaculture species from Central American and Caribbean countries is evaluated by the authors, who analyzed the FAO statistic data.
This paper has been presented during the Regional Conference on Trade for Small-scale Fishing products, which took place last November in Havanna, Cuba, and was organized by the Common Fund for Commodities and INFOPESCA

The French Market for tropical shrimp
By Marie Christine Monfort
This article summarizes a study recently published by the author, which describes the last developments in France as a market for tropical shrimp. White shrimp " vanammei " exported by Latin American countries is turning more and more popular in that demanding market, although the author demonstrates that low prices are not sufficient by themselves to take advantage of the huge potential of the French market. A good and intelligent marketing strategy is also necessary. Segmentation by quality, as well as the communication of that quality, seem to be key factors.

Refrigerated transport - achievements and challenges
by Robert Heap
Refrigerated transport is essential in transporting perishable foodstuffs and non-food items such as flowers, plants, pharmaceuticals etc in order to ensure consumers get safe and high-quality products. Refrigerated transport involves three basic types of transport; sea-transport, land transport and air transport and whether the goods transported are frozen goods or chilled goods.
The author explains the technology used in refrigerated transport, the achievements in various sub-sectors, providing options for consideration and development and scope for improvement.

Fishing for blue crabs with long-line in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela
By Leonidas Villasmil, Brinolfo Moreno and José Javier Alió
Artisanal fishermen in Lake Maracauibo, Venezuela, account for a valuable fishing resource. Blue crab is a species widely distributed along the Americas and is called by different names (sirí, jaiba, swimming crab, etc) according the the region. As a fishery product, it is strongly demanded from many important buying countries. Whiole it is generally caught by using traps, the authors show that long-line is a cheap and easy fishing method, which could contribute to comply with conservation rules as a better selection by sizes can be achieved.

The tuna offshore unit an innovation in mariculture
by Francisco de Bartolomé Guijosa and Abel Méndez Diaz
The growth of aquaculture in inshore waters, has been blamed as the cause of numerous environmental and other problems. Offshore aquaculture is proposed as a way out through innovative concepts such as the "Tuna Offshore Unit."
The proposed concept is a unique fish farming vessel with a modern marine design capable of purchasing young bluefin tuna directly from the catching areas (eg Mediterranean sea), fattening them at suitable areas and travelling to the fish markets to deliver the fish at best prices.
The article describes the main features, working principles and design challenges of the offshore unit.

Nicaragua: Producing profile and domestic market
By Graciela Pereira and Bernabela Orozco
A study was carried out by the end of 2003, about the situation of producers and traders within the domestic fish market in Nicaragua, under the project called FNPP/FAO - Netherlands Partnership Programes. The main plan is to establish future training programes at this level of the producing chain. Many key traders and market leaders were surveyed in municipal markets of three big cities. Artisanal communities were also visited, as well as distribution centers, supermarkets, fish shops and processing companies.