“The export of eel has the potential to be a great generator of foreign exchange”

Expert estimates more than 5,000 fishermen in this fishing area, which could increase the agricultural GDP.

Full article on eel fishing in Haiti by Alexis Alveraz for elDinero here, translated into english below.

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La exportación de angula tiene potencial para ser un gran generador de divisas

De tener más apoyo y un nivel propicio de organización, la actividad pesquera, pero en especial la producción de angula, podría ser muy significativo el aporte que pudiera generar al desarrollo del país, incidiendo en el crecimiento de su producto interno bruto (PIB), así lo estima el director financiero del Corporativo Barkertilly.

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The export of eel has the potential to be a great generator of foreign exchange

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Expert estimates more than 5,000 fishermen in this fishing area, which could increase the agricultural GDP.

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If it had more support and a suitable level of organization, the fishing activity, but especially the production of eel, could be a very significant contribution to the development of the country, affecting the growth of its gross domestic product (GDP), so estimates the financial director of the Barkertilly Corporation.

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José Alberto Rosa argues that the estimated coefficient for that fiscal year is 0.25 percentage points, which means that for every 1% increase in glass eel exports, agricultural GDP would increase by the same percentage, since he foresees that in the country there are about 5,000 people dedicated to its capture.

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This number of workers represents 33% of the total number of fishermen that are around 15,000 at the national level, according to the Socioeconomic Study of Social Impact on the Fishing of Angula Rostrata in the Dominican Republic, carried out by the Dominican Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture ( Codopesca) in conjunction with the research firm Barkertilly.

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For Rosa, eel fishing, as it is also known, reflects “a great potential for generating foreign exchange that is not being used. If due attention were paid to applying policies and financial support, the economic impact would be substantial”.

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At the end of 2019, in exports of this variant of fish, the Dominican Republic (US$14 million) occupies the eighth position globally. Surpassed by Hong Kong, which monopolizes the first place, after reporting US$275.7 million for this concept. Followed by China, which registers values ​​that exceed US$204 million, according to data offered by the executive of the pollster.

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In this line, Haitian trade is in a better position than local production. The neighboring country reports amounts of US$55.8 million, that is, an absolute difference of almost US$42 million and in fifth place.

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Stake
Between 2014 and 2021, the percentage rate of participation of elver sales abroad has been above 10% annually, with a growth direction. In that period, the year with the highest incidence was 2021, reflecting 20.5% (US$2.6 million) of the total marketed, which was reported at about US$13 million.

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The year in which the highest amount of fish exports was recorded in general (not only eel) was in 2019, which reflected values ​​of US$21.5 million. In this year the participation of elver in the international market is 13.1%, corresponding to US$2.8 million and not US$14 million as indicated. During 2014 and 2021, total fish exports are around US$125 million.

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Structure
Eel fishing is an artisanal activity developed fundamentally by adult males with very low bank penetration and a schooling of “barely six years”, the study points out.

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According to the socioeconomic impact report, of the 5,000 workers dedicated to elver production in the national territory, two coastal demarcations cover a little more than 60% of the number of these fishermen. Puerto Plata is the one with the highest concentration rate with 41%, equivalent to 2,050. El Seibo has a population of 20%, which would be an estimated 1,000 individuals earning a living from this activity.

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At the national level, 66% are in an age range of 30 to 55 years. Only 6.7% have a financial credit and only 8% have an official fisherman’s card.