Central American Integration System countries agree on actions to accelerate sustainable aquaculture Development

Member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) advanced a shared roadmap to accelerate the sustainable development of aquaculture during a regional workshop held on 25-26 August in Panama City. The event was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Organization of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of the Central American Isthmus (OSPESCA).

National authorities, regional organizations, producers, technical experts and financial institutions reviewed and refined the regional plan for implementing the Aquaculture Component of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Integration Policy (PINPESCA 2026-2035), guided by FAO's Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture.

Developed jointly by FAO and OSPESCA, the plan aims to translate PINPESCA's strategic priorities into concrete actions by establishing mechanisms for coordination, capacity development, financing and monitoring across SICA Member States.

"The SICA region has an opportunity to become a pioneer in translating the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture from global guidance into regional action. The real measure of success, however, will be implementation. To achieve this, we must strengthen institutional and technical capacities while better aligning policy priorities with investment planning and resource mobilization," said Adoniram Sanches Peraci, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Mesoamerica.

He also emphasized the importance of leveraging public and private resources, enhancing international cooperation and working closely with financial institutions to align investments with countries' priorities and development needs.

From Regional Policy to a Common Agenda

According to FAO's The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2026 report, aquaculture production of aquatic animals in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 4.4 million tonnes in 2024 and is projected to grow by approximately 26 percent by 2034. This expansion underscores the need to ensure that sector growth contributes to food security, improved nutrition and economic development while remaining environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.

Within this framework, PINPESCA 2026-2035 provides the strategic direction for the region, while the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture offer practical guidance in areas such as governance, planning, resource and ecosystem management, social responsibility, gender equality, value chains and markets, finance and innovation.

"Aquaculture is a fundamental pillar of food security and socio-economic development in the SICA region. PINPESCA 2026-2035 establishes our strategic vision, and the roadmap developed through this process will facilitate cooperation among countries, promote knowledge exchange and support implementation aligned with both regional and national priorities," said Abel Carrias, Regional Director of OSPESCA.

During the first day of the workshop, participants focused on three key areas: governance and coordination, implementation and capacity development, and monitoring, evaluation and financing. Group discussions helped prioritize actions, clarify responsibilities and identify the support needed to advance implementation.

"Sustainable aquaculture must create tangible opportunities for producers and the communities that depend on aquatic resources. Our challenge is to ensure that growth in the sector is inclusive, generates decent employment, strengthens food and nutrition security and enables small-scale producers to benefit fully from its development," said Eduardo Carrasquilla Dutari, General Administrator of the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) and President Pro Tempore of the Commission on Small-Scale, Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture for Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPESAALC).

Turning Priorities into Investments

The second day focused on linking sector planning with investment opportunities. Participants explored responsible investment approaches, cost-benefit analysis, financing options, FAO's framework for National Aquaculture Investment Plans (NAIPs), and innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships.

Discussions examined how to develop viable investment initiatives tailored to the different capacities, contexts and priorities of countries across the region.

"The challenge is not only identifying where to invest, but ensuring that investments respond to countries' priorities and deliver tangible, long-term results. The regional plan provides a common framework to help countries transform national priorities into bankable investment initiatives with clear objectives and measurable outcomes, helping close development gaps and accelerate the growth of more sustainable, resilient and inclusive aquaculture," said José Aguilar-Manjarrez, FAO Aquaculture Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean.

As a next step, FAO and OSPESCA will consolidate the recommendations generated during the workshop and finalize the regional plan in consultation with Member States. The document will serve as a regional framework to guide decision-making and strengthen coherence in the implementation of the aquaculture component of PINPESCA 2026-2035.