A seminar has taken place in Panama on fish consumption in Mesoamerica and prospects to increase its contribution to the nutrition of the population.

The seminar was organised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), among others.

Representatives from Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala participated in the meeting, where documents were shown indicating that the value of fish production in Central America is around two billion dollars per year, equivalent to 24.5 per cent of GDP.

Fisheries and aquaculture represent a major contribution Panama, 74 per cent to the primary sector, generating over 35 thousand jobs and is presented as an important tool for ensuring food security in the country, agreements to international organisations alternative reports.

The Deputy Minister of Agricultural Development (MIDA), Esteban Giron said in his speech that efforts are being redoubled in the country and across Central America, to improve nutrition indices based on the consumption of fish, and  to revive aquaculture.

“We must look to the sea, whose production is abundant and is a vital sources for food, essential for family well-being,” reiterated the Deputy Giron.

Among the proposals that were covered in the meeting were the effective promotion of fishery products, and ensuring good hygiene practices throughout the supply chain to have a safe and harmless product.

The aquaculture and small-scale fishing is an important source of food production, in addition to its contribution to livelihoods, employment generation and income for society, said the Panama Ministry of Agricultural Development.

However, these benefits depend on factors such as the good development of the industry, good knowledge of seafood products by consumers, and good post-harvest handling.

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