USSEC recently conducted the III Aquaculture Investment Workshop in Mexico.  USSEC Regional Director – Americas Francisco de la Torre and USSEC consultant Jairo Amezquita organized and conducted this conference in La Paz.  The goal of the workshop was to share development opportunities of marine fish production with attendees and allow them to participate in various panels to help them identify challenges and opportunities in the field of aquaculture.  Over 85 participants from more than 10 countries worldwide were invited by USSEC to attend this event, including a team of Kansas soy growers, aquaculture producers, scientists, government officials, seafood buyers, financial and banking representatives, investors, and representatives from Latin America aqua feed mills.

A team comprised of aquaculture company representatives from different countries gave presentations and held discussion panels during the workshop.  Major topics discussed included:  aquaculture overview, policies and opportunities for the region; aquaculture technology; research and development; new species opportunities; aquaculture business and seafood marketing opportunities; and financial opportunities for the aquaculture sector.  A group of 40 workshop participants also visited three hatcheries in the area; one hatchery produces shrimp larvae while the other two produce marine fish fingerlings for their grow-out farms.
This workshop helped aquaculture industry representatives to update their knowledge on various topics along with learning about the uses of U.S. soy products in aquaculture.  USSEC consultants also discussed the possibility of carrying out feeding trials using a new soy protein concentrate (SPC) manufactured by a U.S. company.