Is there an administrative structure responsible for aquaculture development, monitoring and management?
The administrative structure responsible for aquaculture activities varies between countries in Latin America. Chile and Ecuador have a specific Under-secretary for fisheries; the former is dependent of the Ministry of the Economy, while the Ecuadorian entity is part of the Ministry of Foreign Trade. In Mexico, the recently created (2000) National Commission of Fisheries and Aquaculture (CONAPESCA), is the entity responsible for aquaculture regulation and promotion. It also has a hierarchical level that equals an under-secretariat, which is subordinated to the Secretary of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA). The Ministry of Fisheries (MIP) is the official entity responsible for coordinating and regulating the use of fishery and aquaculture resources in Cuba, through two state-owned enterprises: INDIPES, focused on inland aquaculture, and GEDECAM, specifically oriented to shrimp farming. Brazil has recently created (2002) a Special Secretariat
