WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2016 55 (CONTINUED ON PAGE 56) marketed in other states and 20 percent is consumed in the region, marketed directly to consumers from street markets. Fish are eviscerated locally in a processing facility in the municipality of Sobradinho. The commercial value of fish varies according to species and season. In marketing, the wholesaler buys fish from fishermen at a price 20 percent lower than that obtained in the end market. The middleman has contact with the distribution network, selling higher-value fish mainly to supermarkets and less-valuable fish, usually pre-salted, to street markets. Generally, the middleman and distributor have a cold storage facility and buy the catch from 80 percent of the fishermen. Products derived from fisheries were established in three marketing channels: street market, local wholesaler and restaurant. Some fish farmers sell tilapia directly in more distant markets because they have their own transport truck. In the region, there are also direct purchases made by government institutions to acquire food for distribution in schools. At the point of sale, tilapia is classified by size because there is a size-based price differential. The Processing Basic Unit (UBP) located in Sobradinho has the potential to form a solid sales channel and is working towards this goal. A women’s cooperative provides labor for fish processing at the UBP, which provides proper sanitary conditions for fish processing and increased employment generation and income. Identification of Tilapia Production Competitiveness As an ordinary species, the only way to increase tilapia competitiveness in the semi-arid region of northeast Brazil is to reduce production costs. However, production costs of a suitable model system in the region have not yet been established. Tilapia is increasingly valued in the market, favoring establishment of systems that can adequately compensate all actors in the supply chain. In terms of logistics, the Brazilian semi-arid region is at a disadvantage because it is distant from major consumption centers and from the main input and equipment suppliers, generating greater production costs. In a survey conducted during the workshops, it was estimated that the regional demand for tilapia is 25,000 t/yr. Therefore, at the current production level of 5,000 t/yr, supply is meeting only 20 percent of demand. Main Fish Supply Chain Barriers Local fisheries production in 1978 was 2,800 t, peaking in 1981 at 30,000 t and the last data recorded in 1997 was 8,000 t (Rocha 2010). Allied with the steep decline in fish stocks, there have been cases of fishing gear theft, compromising the financial situation of fishermen, leaving them increasingly dependent on the owners of cold storage facilities, who serve as financiers for fishermen. Fishermen say that this situation could be different if they had access to bank financing. However, despite the availability of credit to support fishing, fishermen claim that it is difficult to access. For tilapia producers, there are difficulties obtaining environmental licensing and consequently to obtain bank financing and technical assistance for fish farming. The consensus view among producers is that greater support from public institutions involved in the supply chain could overcome these obstacles. There is knowledge of the existing legal framework for environmental licensing, but it is exactly this legal issue that constrains aquaculture development in the region. There is consensus among the actors about the need for government environmental agencies to render timely decisions on applications for projects already submitted for consideration. Financing institutions have been called upon to support fish farmers and fishermen, but there are no advisors to monitor projects and assist in the development of activities. Without an environmental permit, obtaining bank financing is difficult. According to tilapia producers, there is an unwillingness of banks to finance capital investments, which prefer to finance variable costs. This lack of investment in capital obstructs growth of the productive base in the region. Technical assistance from public institutions barely supports implementation and monitoring of fish farming enterprises. Capacity of the Area for Fish Farming Positive aspects of the region are linked to the favorable climate and good water quality of Sobradinho Lake, conditions that enable excellent tilapia performance. In addition, the good condition of roads allows logistical support throughout the year. Negative aspects or those that bring uncertainty to fish farming are market problems and relatively low profitability. The discontent and difficulties Tilapia producers at Sobradinho Lake. Photo: Fernanda Muniz Bez Birolo. Producers harvesting tilapia at Sobradinho Lake. Photo: Fernanda Muniz Bez Birolo.
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