Nicaragua's fishing and aquaculture production in 2019 will be close to 175 million pounds, 6% less than production in 2018.
In the Production, Consumption and Trade Plan for the 2019-2020 cycle, the government expects a 6.4% year-on-year decline, mainly because of the implementation of management and sustainability measures for sea cucumbers, such as the closure of two additional months for all species and the permanent closure for cucumber, Café y Carajo, explains the document.
Because Nicaragua is charging an additional fee of $0.05 for each kilogram exported or imported by air, fresh fish exporters have increased their costs and become less competitive.
Last April 25, the International Airport Administration Companies (EAAI) of Nicaragua began to collect the new tax. See "More costs in Times of Crisis".
After the country registered sales for $282 million in 2017, the sector's union expects this year to surpass what was reported in the previous period by 2%.
Explained by the good performance in exports of cultivated shrimp, crab and live lobster, during the first three months of the year, the Nicaraguan Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Inpesca) expects the sector to register an increase compared to 2017.
The industry union expects to close 2017 with 5% growth in production, and plans to focus next year on improving processes in order to increase productivity.
One of the changes proposed by fishing and aquaculture companies is to improve production processes of products such as lobster, which require special logistics,"...
In the first seven months of the year exports of farmed shrimp, sea shrimp, lobster and fresh fish generated $56 million, 18% more than in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the Central Bank show that the product which led foreign sales was shrimp, with $23.5 million, followed by lobster, with $16.8 million, fresh fish with $12.6 million, and sea shrimp, with $3.3 million.
New procedures now apply for certification and sanitary permits required to export fishery and aquaculture products.
The Center for Exports reports that since December 15, 2015 a new resolution is in effect which details inspection process to be carried out by fishery plants and aquaculture production centers to certify their products for export.
The Central Cruise Summit 2015 will be held in El Salvador, from 13 to 15 May, where it is expected that 15 corporations from the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association will be involved.
The Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR) hopes to have the participation of 30 union members who will be publicizing various tour packages offered by shipping lines.
Entrepreneurs in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors are demanding that the government boost production of the species, whose consumption is projected to grow globally.
The government still has not spoken on the topic, but it is expected that industry representatives will meet with officials next week to refine the development plan for 2015, which includes raising tilapia.
In 2014 production in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors increased by 28%, but due to low international prices export earnings declined by 8% compared to 2013.
Fisheries and aquaculture production in 2014, equivalent to 96.7 million pounds exceeded projections made by sector earlier this year and recorded a 28% increase over the previous year. However, according to the Center for Exports (CETREX), it sold $19 million worth less than in 2013.
The new regulation aims to unify shrimp fishing practices in Central America, for the adequate use of Turtle Exclusion Devices.
From a press release of the Central American Integration System (SICA):
Today, at the headquarters of the Central American Integration System (SICA), Mrs. Xinia Chaves, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica, representing her country in the exercise of the President Pro Tempore of SICA, deposited with the Secretary-General System, Juan Daniel Aleman, the "Regional Regulation OSP-06-13 on "Proper Use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)", which aims to establish a regional policy framework for the appropriate use of the aforementioned TEDs.
Fishery and aquaculture products are to have specific rules on labeling, which will apply to both locals and imported foods.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The 27 member states and the European Parliament (EP) have reached an agreement on the implementation of a Common Market Organization for fishery and aquaculture products (CMO), which includes specific rules that in regards to labeling local and imported products.
The EU has launched the European Market for Fisheries and Aquaculture, an interactive website which will collect updated information on the volume, value and price of seafood.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Brussels Seafood Fair, one of the most important trade events for the sector in Europe, was the location chosen by the European Commission (EC) to present its new Web tool, the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EUMOFA), a new interactive website and available to collect updated information on the volume, value and price of seafood along the entire value chain, from landing to the point of sale.
From March 1 to June 30 the ban extends on catching lobsters in the Central American Caribbean.
Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "the ban will be extended until 30 June under enforcement of Honduran legislation and the Regional Regulations for Fisheries Ordinance of the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), said the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) in Honduras ".
During 2012, exports of fisheries products amounted to 40,000 tons, and the expansion of the territorial sea has allowed for greater growth projections which must be underpinned by more technology.
Domestic consumption of seafood in Nicaragua is very small, just a pound a year per capita, therefore the exports represent 94% of production. The United States, Europe, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean are the main buyers of the product.
The sector, which showed a decline of 3% in January 2012, expects to close the year with growth of 4.6%, led by the production of farmed shrimp.
Armando Segura, executive director of the Chamber of Fisheries of Nicaragua (CAPENIC), said, "It's been a substantial recovery, we are reversing the trend from earlier this year."
"According to the latest report by the IMAE, this result has been led by the production of farmed shrimp, due to good weather conditions in shrimp farms", reported Laprensa.com.ni.