Project Assistance Completition [I.E. Completion] Report: Inland Fisheries II, OPG 517-0162
PACR of a project (1982-1985) to promote freshwater fish production in the Dominican Republic by expanding hatchery facilities, developing baseline data, and improving interagency coordination. The project succeeded in expanding existing hatchery facilities and partially achieved the other two objectives. Although harvesting data are being recorded, the data are on handwritten sheets and there is no compilation or analysis. All four participating agencies -- Servicio Social de Igelesias Dominicanas, the Peace Corps, INDOTEC, and FUDECO -- made positive contributions, but the task of coordinating implementation among so many distinct agencies was too much of a burden for project administrators. The project proved that fish production can be viable in an area where fish has not traditionally been a regular item in the local diet. Fish is now readily consumed and production is expanding, albeit within a limited area. The project also demonstrated that with proper motivation, farmers are willing to convert some of their land into fish ponds and engage in fish raising to improve their own diet and increase cash earnings.