24 JUNE 2019 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Main Freshwater Species Tilapia Tilapia is one of the most important aquaculture species in the country, with industrial, médium- and small-scale producers (Sánchez and Cambronero 2016). Among the species used in Costa Rica are blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus (Fig. 3) and Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. It is marketed as whole fish, fresh and thawed fillets or in pancitas. Fillets can reach 20 cm and weigh approximately 150 g, while whole fish is marketed from 500600 g (Sánchez and Cambronero 2016). In recent years, tilapia consumption has increased and the product can be found in fish markets, supermarkets, fairs, restaurants and in recreational fishing ponds. The ACI Group is the largest company in the country that is dedicated to the production, processing and marketing of tilapia (Fig. 4). It is owned by Aquacorporación Internacional and has around 600 ha of intensive production ponds (Fig. 5) and the Terrapez processing plant that produces fresh fillets and other derivatives. Rainbow Trout The introduction of rainbow trout to Costa Rica occurred in 1927, with significant production occurring since 1968. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock promoted the creation of the research and production center Truchícola Ojo de Agua de Dota to supply seed (Fig. 6) and promote development of the activity (Alvarado 2002). At present all fingerling production is derived from imported eggs (INCOPESCA 2019). In intensive cultivation of rainbow trout, all phases of production are developed, starting with extraction and collection of eggs and sperm, fertilization, incubation, nursery, all stages of development and fattening (Vargas 2003). A market approach that has boosted development of trout farming has been direct sale to the public, where people visit farms and catch trout directly. Trout are presented in several forms that are used for national consumption and exports, including whole, split whole, fillet without packing and vacuum packed, smoked whole and smoked fillet vacuum packed (Alvarado 2002). The largest trout producer in Central America is Truchas Reales de Costa Rica S.A., with more than 25 years of experience and a processing plant. Their trout products have national and international quality certifications. Freshwater Prawn The cultivation of freshwater prawn (Fig. 7) is done at a small scale and small production systems are distributed throughout the country, with the northern and southern areas being the main production areas. Currently, two hatcheries are responsible for supplying all national producers with seed. Some studies have indicated the aquaculture potential of endemic freshwater prawn species M. panamense, M. americanum and M. tenellum (Gutiérrez 2009). FIGURE 3. Blue tilapia Oreochromis aureus. FIGURE 4. The commercial tilapia farm operated by Acuacorporacíon Internacional near Cañas uses irrigation system water from Lake Arenal. FIGURE 5. Aeration of intensive flow-through tilapia ponds operated by ACI. FIGURE 6. Rainbow trout fry ready for marketing to producers.
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