z
Progress Report 
on
Fisheries Development
in El Salvador
INTERNATIONAL CENTER 
for AQUACULTURE
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION AUBURN 
UNIVERSITY
R. DENNIS ROUSE, Director 
AUBURN, ALABAMA
FACILITIES OF' IISIILRILS STAT IION. S \NTA (:lIUL 13011111I,1()
(t. 5
'Vt
I
Six of :3:) iics 0.05-htie e~ \pti iticital ponds.
CONTENTS
IN IA Ij)l ( TI ON
STIATIUS O1 lIii1 FISHERIE'S lRI JL('i
of lFisheries Station --
Aqiiacultiii ii ietsionitI
Lakc Fisheries-----
Partiecipant Triiniig
Pea e Corps Pariticiipatioii
Siii t leim 'Techniceal Assistance
L'SXII) Equiipiient G rants - --
F'islhtries Pubiciations ---
I-
A2a
% j~~fti ~oi I
Page
:3
3
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8
9
10
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11
COVER PHOTO. Laguna de Olomega, one
of the five largest lakes in El Salvador and
the most fertile of the five, contributes al-
most halIf 
Of total fish 
production 
of the
nation's large lakes.
Aubun Unive t s-iti is ani equal
Sonlu id tll(
'r
_e
Progress Report on Fisheries Development in El Salvador
DAVID 
R. BAYNE*
INTRODUCTION
IN FEBRUARY 1971, 
at the request of USAID 
Mission/El
Salvador, Dr. Donovan D. Moss, of the International Center
for Aquaculture at Auburn University, conducted a survey
of the inland fisheries of El Salvador. He was assisted by
personnel of the Fisheries Section, Department of Forestry
and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG),
El Salvador. Purpose of the survey was to review facilities
and activities of the Fisheries Section and to determine if
sufficient potential and need existed to justify accelerated de-
velopment of inland fisheries and, if so, to recommend a pro-
gram of inland fisheries development for El Salvador. Con-
cluding that increased fish production could offer an abun-
dance of relatively inexpensive, high quality animal protein to
diets known to be deficient in animal protein, Moss
1 
recom-
mended the following:
1. Improvement and expansion of research facilities at the
Fisheries Station located at Santa Cruz Porrillo so that an
effective research program could be launched.
2. USAID Mission financial support for the purchase of
laboratory and field equipment.
3. USAID Mission support in obtaining technical services
from the International Center for Aquaculture in the form of
a full-time resident fisheries advisor and short-term technical
assistance.
Mission and USAID/Washington acceptance of these rec-
ommendations resulted in Contract No. AID/la-688, under
which the author was employed as the resident fisheries ad-
visor beginning January 1, 1972. Following Washington and
on-campus orientation and Spanish language training in El
Salvador, all efforts were devoted to coordinating and ad-
vising in the development of an effective inland fisheries pro-
gram. Efforts were concentrated in the following work areas:
1. Renovation and expansion of research and supporting
facilities at the Fisheries Station, Santa Cruz Porrillo.
2. Aquacultural research.
8. Aquacultural extension.
4. Investigations of the fisheries resources of major lakes
and other natural waters of El Salvador.
STATUS OF THE FISHERIES PROJECT
Administration and Personnel
Anticipating increased emphasis to inland fisheries in the
near future, the MAG administratively elevated the Fisheries
Section to full departmental status January 1, 1972. This
provided the Fisheries Department (since changed to Fish-
* Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aqua-
cultures.
'Moss, D. D. 1971. Inland Fisheries Survey Report for El Sal-
vador. Project: AID/csd-2270. International Center for Aquacul-
ture, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
eries Service) a separate operating budget and a more effi-
cient administrative alignment. At that time, there were six
host-country technical personnel, none of whom had com-
pleted university degrees, four Peace Corps Volunteer biolo-
gists, and a supporting staff of two. During 1972-73, a bi-
ologist with an M.S. degree was appointed Head of the Fish-
eries Service, five new Salvadoran technicians (four with uni-
versity degrees in biology) were hired, and two additional
supporting staff were employed. Of the four Peace Corps
Volunteers whose normal duty tours terminated in 1972,
three were replaced and one extended for another year. The
new volunteers all possessed B.S. degrees in fisheries and one
had the M.S. in limnology. The Fisheries Service also con-
tracted the full-time services of two civil engineers, a geolo-
gist, and a topographer to direct the site selection and con-
struction of earthen ponds and related facilities both at the
Fisheries Station and for the community fish pond develop-
ment project.
Increased emphasis and support for the Fisheries Service
has led also to increased responsibilities. In addition to inland
waters, the Service has been charged with management and
development of fishery resources of brackish and marine
waters.
Financial Input
Financial support for the Inland Fisheries Development
Project by the Government of El Salvador (GOES) was
vastly improved during 1972 and 1973. Capital improvement
funds allocated for the renovation of existing and construc-
tion of new facilities at the Santa Cruz Porrillo Fisheries Sta-
tion are summarized as follows:
Year
1972 (Jan.) --
1972 (Dec.)_
1973 (Jan.) ..
TOTAL ....
' One colon
Funds budgeted
by MAG
Proiect use
15,000 Construction of six earthen
ponds and drilling of deep
well
135,000 Additional pond construc-
tion, renovation of existing
building, and construction of
"wet 
lab"
119,000 Additional pond construc-
tion, construction of shop-
warehouse-feedroom com-
plex, drilling of second deep
well
0269,000 ($107,600)
( ) is equivalent to $0.40.
In addition to the capital improvement budget, the Fish-
eries Service operating budget was increased from ?110,000
in 1972 to 0227,000 for 1973. The approved budget for the
1974 fiscal year was 0288,360. GOES has also initiated a
community fish pond development project that calls for con-
struction of 100 community owned and managed fish ponds
throughout the country. The ponds are being constructed
and technical assistance provided by the Fisheries Service.
An initial budget of 0181,25.0 was appropriated for this proj-
ect in 1973 and an additional 0162,310 has been approved
to continue this work in 1974. A special fund of 02.22,000
was appropriated for the investigation and inventory of all
aquatic habitats, which was to begin in 1974.
Renovation and Construction at Fisheries Station
Renovation and expansion of research and supporting fa-
cilities at the Fisheries Station at Santa Cruz Porrillo are near-
ing completion. Progress in this area was extremely slow in
1972 due primarily to lack of funding. The 015,000 available
in January 1972 was expended by June 1972, and the addi-
tional 0135,000 that had been appropriated was not released
until December 6, 1972. As a result, approximately 6 months'
working time was lost. Progress during 1973 has been steady
though not spectacular. The fact that only a minimum of
heavy equipment was available, and this in generally poor
condition, delayed completion of the 33 earthen ponds under
construction.
Nineteen new 0.05-hectare earthen ponds have been com-
pleted and are in use. The remaining 14 ponds are nearing
completion. Two deep wells have been drilled to provide an
abundance of good quality water for these ponds, as well as
for other facilities at the Station. The first well has been
tested and found to yield in excess of 800 gallons per minute.
Chemical analysis and bio-assay indicated excellent water
quality.
Thirty concrete ponds, each having a surface area of 20
square meters and a depth of 1 meter, were constructed and
are in use., These ponds greatly increase the number of ex-
perimental units available for research and provide area for
holding fish, which frees more earthen ponds for research.
Each pond can be filled and drained independently and is
supplied with well water.
Two new buildings, a wet laboratory and a shop-warehouse-
feedroom complex, are virtually complete. The wet laboratory
contains small concrete holding tanks, aquaria, and facilities
to maintain and culture eggs and fry of experimental animals.
A small air-conditioned room provides laboratory working
space within the building. The shop-warehouse-feedroom
building contains offices, storage ,space, a workshop, and a
fish feed preparation area.
Renovation of the existing office-laboratory building was
completed. Necessary structural repairs were made, broken
windows and damaged screens replaced, offices were parti-
tioned, and the entire building was painted. Sanitary facili-
ties were repaired and new sewage lines laid. The chemical/
biological laboratory was completely refurbished, insulated,
air-conditioned, and equipped. The electrical system for the
entire Station was re-designed, with new lines and trans-
formers provided to assure adequate electrical power to ac-
commodate the increased demand. Night lights have been
placed in strategic locations on the grounds to protect against
theft.
Aquacultural Research
An active program of aquacultural research has been con-
ducted at the Fisheries Station over the past 2 years. The
program was designed to provide practical information to
Salvadoran fish growers and to develop technology that
would lead to increased production and profits.
Yield trials to compare production of two fish species
( Tilapia aurea and Tilapia mossambica) were conducted un-
der different test conditions at the Fisheries Station. The
former consistently produced greater yields than the latter
in ponds receiving organic and inorganic fertilizers. This
was attributed to the higher growth rate of T. aurea females.
Growth of males of the two species was approximately equal,
and the males always attained a larger size than females of
the same age. Growth of the originally stocked Tilapia in all
trials ceased after approximately 3 months, indicating that
pond carrying capacity was being approached.
Research was begun to systematically evaluate the culture
potential of native species of aquatic organisms. Results
with the most popular freshwater food fish, mojarra negra
(Cichlasoma macracanthus), eliminated it as a possible cul-
ture species for El Salvador. In replicated fertilized pond
trials, the fish grew slowly, reproduced prolifically at an early
age, and total annual production was extremely low (440
kilograms per hectare). In progress are earthen pond trials
with five other fish species, juilin (Rhamdia guatemalensis),
guapote pando (Cichlasoma motaguense), tepemichin
(Agonostomus monticola), mullet (Mugil cephalus), and the
bagre (Arius guatemalensis), as well as with freshwater crus-
taceans, crab (Pseudothelphusa magna), and shrimp ( Mac-
robrachium tenellum and Macrobrachium americanum).
Tilapia have been successfully cultured in 0.01-hectare fish
pens and in 1-cubic-meter fish cages. Using these techniques
permits intensive culture of fish in natural waters and in
man-made ponds and reservoirs that are generally considered
difficult to manage. Annual yields in excess of 12,000 kilo-
grams per hectare in pens receiving a pelleted feed and 4,000
kilograms per hectare in pens receiving only fertilizer were
obtained in trials at the Fisheries Station.
A pelleted supplementary feed containing coffee pulp, an
inexpensive, commonly available by-product of the coffee
industry, is being evaluated for use with T. aurea in cages,
pens, concrete pools, and earthen ponds. The feed ingredi-
ents include:
Ingredient Percentage
Coffee pulp 30
Corn meal 24
Molasses 20
Cottonseed meal 14
Wheat bran 10
Bone meal 1
Urea 1
All of these ingredients are readily available and the low
cost of coffee pulp results in a total feed cost of only $1.72
(04.30) per 100 pounds. Although the ration contained
only 21 per cent total protein and no animal protein, high
annual yields (4,025-12,504 kilograms per hectare of pen)
of T. aurea have been obtained in replicated fish pen trials,
Table 1. At a stocking rate of 400 T. aurea per 100-square-
meter pen, feeding the supplementary ration more than
doubled production of treatments not receiving the ration.
A feed cost of $0.067 (00.17) to produce each additional
pound of fish proved to be both economical and practical.
In research to determine the most desirable fingerling
stocking rate of T. aurea when cultured alone, rates of 5,000,
10,000, and 15,000 fingerlings per hectare were tested in
fertilized ponds for a 4-month period. Both total yield and
yield of marketable sized fish (14 centimeters and larger)
were used as criteria to judge which of the rates should be
recommended. Highest average total production per year,
3,249 kilograms per hectare, was realized at the 15,000 rate.
The rate of 10,000 fingerlings per hectare produced only
1,943 kilograms per hectare per year; however, it yielded
the highest percentage of marketable sized fish (85 per cent)
TABLE 1. RESULTS OF FEEDING TRIALS CONDUCTED IN 100-CUBIC-METER FISH PENS WITH- Tilapia aurea RECEIVING A 21 PER CENT
PROTEIN, PELLETED RATION CONTAINING 30 PER CENT COFFEE PULP
Treatment
Survival
Feed used Fish 
Repli- of
stocked cates stocked
fish
Av. net
Duration gain per
of trial stocked
fish
No. No. Pct. Days g. Kg. 
$
1 Ch. manure 300 2 66 156 83 3,600 3.25
2 Pellet 300 2 56 150 124 4,025 3.70 0.2743 0.6857
3 Pellet 400 2 100 160 102 9,982 2.29 0.0672 0.1680
4 Pellet 600 2 100 160 90 12,504 2.85 0.06553 0.1637
Control None 300 2 47 156 77 2,790 -- ---- ----
Control None 400 1 97 160 48 4,124----- ----
Control None 600 1 18 160 65 1,536 -- ---- ----
1Projected yield based on 351 growing days.
2Based on a feed cost of 04.30 per 100 pounds.
Based on estimated production in control with 600 fish.
Note: Market value of fish at pond site was 0'0.40 per pound.
TABLE 2. COSTS ANDRETURNS OF FISH PRODUCTION IN
EL SALVADOR'
Cost or retumn item
Initial costs
Estimated cost of construction (1.5-ha. pond)
Seine net (locally made)-----
Containers for transporting fish-
T O T A L -- --------------------------- --
Fixed annual costs
Amortization of pond construction (20 years)
Amortization of seine nets and other
equipment ( 5 years)---- - -----
T O T A L --- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - - ---
Costs of production
Fingerlings, 15,000 @ 0'0.015 -------------
Fertilizer
Chicken manure, 15,185 lb. @ 00.03/lb.-.
(NH4)2SO
4
, 66 lb. superphosphate --------
Labor, p2.63/day/man
Stocking ------------ --- - -- - ----------
Fertilizing-------- ---------- ----- -----
S am p lin g -- --- --- -- --- ----- -- ------ ---
Harvesting and marketing---------------
Repairing of the pond------------------
T O T A L ------------------------------
Annual gross return
7,772 lb. @ 00.40/lb --------------------
737 lb. @ 00.20/lh.---------------------
T O T A L -- ----- ---------------------- --
Annual gross retumn---- -------------------
Fixed annual costs ----------------------
Annual costs Of production----------------
A nnual net profit---------------- --------
EQUIVALENT TO: 01,092.00 $436.08/ha.,
or $177/acre/year
Amount
0$
8,000.00
300.00
50.00
8,350.00
400.010
70.00O
470.00
225.00
456.00
11.00
118.00
24.00
37.00
108.00
168.00
1,147.00
3,109.00
147.00
3,256.00
3,256.00
470.0,0
1,147.00
1,639.010
/year
3,200.00
120.00
20.00
3,340.001
160.00
28.010
188.00
90.00
182.40
4.40
47.20
9.60
14.80
43.20
67.20
458.80
1,243.60
58.80
1,302.40,
1,302.40
188.00
458.80
655.60
1Based on the production of male Tilapia and guapote tigre
culture during 6 months in a 1.5-hectare pond located at the
Fisheries Station, Santa Cmu Porrillo, 1972-73.
and the largest total quantity of marketable sized fish (1,650
kilograms).
Some ponds at the Fisheries Station were managed as
commercial production units to gain insight into routine
problems and to test alternative systems of management,
such as total harvest versus partial harvest. One large pond
was managed for commercial production to obtain informa-
tion on production costs and, returns on investment. It was
stocked per hectare with 10,000 male Tilapia and 5,000
guapote tigre, Cichiasoma mariaguense, and received daily
applications of chicken manure (10-20 kilograms per hec-
tare). Total annual -fish production was in excess of 3,090
kilograms per hectare, and over 1.5 tons of fish were sold to
people coming to the Fisheries Station within a 3-day period.
An economic analysis of this trial is presented in Table 2.
One of the most serious problems encountered in Tilapia
culture is overcrowding of the population because of early,
prolific, and frequent reproduction of these fish. A solution
to this problem has been the stocking of a predatory fish in
combination with the Tilapia to control the number of young
surviving. The piscivorous guapote tigre, C. managuense, was
found to be excellent for this purpose. Subsequently, research
was done to determine which stocking rates and ratios of
Tilapia and guapote tigre yielded the highest production and
greatest profits in fertilized as well as fertilized and fed
earthen ponds. Preliminary results indicated. that, in ponds
receiving the supplementary ration with 30 per cent coffee
pulp, stocking rates of 12,000 Tilapia per hectare at a Tilapia
to tigre ratio of 4:1 were most productive, Table, 3. This
stocking produced greatest total yield (3,864 kilograms per
hectare per year) and the highest annual yield of market-
able sized fish (3,526 kilograms per hectare).
TABLE 3. PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF TRIALS IN PONDS RECEIVING FERTILIZER AND FEED CONDUCTED To DETERMINE MOST DESIRABLE
STOCKING RATES AND STOCKING RxIos FOR Tilapia aurea AND CUAPOTE TIGRE COMBINATIONS
Tilapia Tilapia ir Projected production per AV. size ",
Treatment stocking stocking Duo Replicates of orig. food
rate/ha. ratio ofntrial Net- Net stocked fish conversion
marketable'
No. Days No. Kg. Kg. g.
1----------------------------------------- 6,000 4:1 150 1 2,545 2,148 121 1.8
2--------------------- 9,000 4:1 150 1 3,738 3,277 138 1.9
3 --------------------- 12,000 4:1 150 1 3,864 3,526 126 2.3
4 --------------------- 6,000 8:1 150 1 2,959 1,980 108 1.6
5--------------------- 9,000 8:1 150 1 3,630 2,546 104 1.8
6--------------------- 12,000 8:1 150 1 3,280 2,776 102 2.4
SProjected production based on 365 growing days.
Projected
total fish
production /
ha. /yr.'
Food
conversions
Av. cost for
each add. lb.
of fed fish'
j I
malcnii su ircss \%ell in pond1( trials at thet
Fisheries Station and ma\ p~rose s aluahle
in mnixedl ctiltures xs ithI Til apia. Fuorther re-
search is needed to dies lot) spawsning tech-
niquesC.
BELIOW. Research with cubic meter cages
(sbossn) and tOO-cubic-mt ter fish pens e a! -
uated the fcasibilitN of using these enclos-
ures in natural wtaters of El Salv ador.
X l( )t'E. The f reshwvater shrimp, Alacrobracrlm i Ii,11ti i
ulsss s \\ll in ponds, but more research is needed so that it
can be~ sticcessfutlls spaw~ned and rearedl in captis itN-
IlGHlT. Practical andl ilie\Ipeisis fish smokers like thtis \\crc
used in experimlents aimted a
t 
findinig alter nativ e metlmds of
fish presets thion fot Suttill proditcci anitd artisan fiisict owio.
-ww - 11 .
hi. coilstiiictci ait tic IFish
cries Station, greatl\ I acili-
tatcdl ttic ordcrl collccti ion
anl processing of data Iloli
rcha-c l pond11( saimipliiig inld
liars cstiiig.
v/
\130\ I'. lislhcrics Ser% ice biologists coillctedl \itil lislici 
Statistics at itc,
wi here lake lislcerienii sold t elic cat clh. Cast net fislierneni of tlit reserxoir
La Presa 5 ulcd o X icnihre Niere ali axys happx to cooperate.
BE LO)W. Bc sc arch wxsas lonc to find1( effectic. practical, 
andi conoiical
imeans of controlling aquatic xxecuds like tlte xw ater lix acintl 
I a la't iou
cm1( 1' . \x icli pose a scrious probi cii to manx Iake 
ilierics.
~w4i
A4 , -a
~v1 4-
a~L"k
Another method of controlling reproduction of Tilapia is
the use of all-male hybrid fish. Certain crosses of different
Tilapia species yield only male offspring. Not only are these
fish unable to reproduce, but faster growth of male Tilapia
compared to the female is an added advantage. The Fisheries
Station will soon acquire from Brazil stocks of Tilapia hon-
orum and Tilapia nilotica, which produce the all-male hybrid
there. Hybrid culture will surely add a new dimension to
fish culture in El Salvador.
Aquacultural Extension
Promotion of fish culture throughout the country is an
essential step in the future development of an effective inland
fisheries program, and ultimate success will depend on how
soon and how well this can be accomplished. Because of this
need, considerable efforts have been spent over the past 
2
years to establish a fisheries extension capability within the
MAG. Progress has been slow, however, due primarily to
the following factors:
1. The type of fish culture being promoted is new to El
Salvador. There is no tradition within the existing Agricul-
tural Extension Service for offering the type of technical
assistance needed, and there had been no training available
to extension personnel or students of agriculture.
2. Although aquaculture is similar in many ways to more
traditional forms of agriculture, the aquatic environment
offers some unique problems not encountered in terrestrial
culture.
3. The inability and unwillingness of the Agricultural Ex-
tension Service of MAG in the early stages of the project to
accept the responsibility for fish cultural promotion and ex-
tension was a complicating factor, as was the fact that the
Fisheries Service was prohibited from providing this service.
A farm pond evaluation study on the current status of fish
culture and the needs that exist was conducted to provide
information in the following areas:
1. Number, size, location, condition, and current use of
all existing farm ponds in El Salvador.
2. Fish species being used and management practices em-
ployed.
3. Major problems limiting fish production.
4. An estimate of actual annual production.
5. An estimate of potential annual production based on
production obtained in selected farm ponds that were stocked,
managed, and harvested by biologists of the Service.
6. Processing and marketing techniques employed.
Results of this study emphasized the great need for a
sound promotion and extension program. The 450 farm
ponds in the study had a combined surface area of 53 hec-
tares, yet only 10 per cent of the area was being utilized to
produce crops of fish. The annual production from these
waters was estimated to be, less than 7,000 kilograms. Own-
ers of almost half of the unused ponds expressed strong in-
terest in fish culture but lacked the knowledge of how to
pursue it. If promotion efforts could get only 40 hectares of
the existing 53 brought into production, annual yield could
easily rise to 140,000 kilograms. This 20-fold increase in
production assumes the construction of no additional ponds
and no improvements in culture techniques.
In addition to the farm pond evaluation study and the re-
search program underway at the Fisheries Station, other
studies have sought information related to. commercial and
subsistence pond fish production. Most fish are marketed in
a fresh state, being captured or produced close to consumer
markets. Fortunately, El Salvador is small and densely pop-
ulated so this system is practical in a large number of cases.
Aside from frozen fish that appear exclusively in the few
supermarkets of the country, salting and sun-drying is the
only method being used to process fish for delayed sale.
Studies were conducted to determine if smoking of fish would
be practical and economical in El Salvador, and if the prod-
uct would be acceptable to consumers. Improvised fish
smokers were demonstrated in several fish producing areas
and attracted a great deal of attention.
Anticipating problems that might arise as a result of in-
creased pond fish production, the Fisheries Service has ini-
tiated a country-wide fish marketing survey. Information is
being gathered on:
1. Actual and potential demand for fish and fish products.
2. Sources and quantities of fish sold throughout the
country.
3. Seasonal fluctuations in supply and demand.
4. Geographical distribution of fish markets and products.
5. Problems encountered in the marketing system.
6. Price structure of the fish market and seasonal variations
in fish prices.
In addition to other valuable information, this study re-
vealed that El Salvador was not meeting the domestic de-
mand for fish and has been importing salted and dried fish
in considerable quantities from both Nicaragua and Guate-
mala.
Compiling all pertinent information gathered over the past
2 years of research and study, members of the Fisheries
Service have prepared a "Manual of Fish Culture" for El
Salvador. Designed to provide practical and specific infor-
mation on pond culture of fishes to Salvadoran growers, the
manual contains sections on the importance of fish culture,
pond construction, pond management, biology of culture
species, processing and marketing, and the possibilities of
forming owner cooperatives. Two other shorter publications
also were prepared to assist in the extension effort.
The Agricultural Extension Service, which comprises a
Department within a completely separate division of the
MAG, has an extensive network of field offices throughout
the country. Short courses, demonstrations, and workshops
have been conducted by Fisheries Service personnel for the
benefit of the extension agents. Short courses and demonstra-
tions have also been presented to students of the National
Agricultural School where a large majority of the future ex-
tension agents study. Present plans call for similar training
to be offered to technicians of FOCCO, one of the country's
largest community development organizations.
In cooperation with the U.S. Peace Corps, the Fisheries
Service, assisted in the construction and management of a
demonstration fish pond on a model farm in the northern
sector of the country. In October 1973, approximately 800
farmers from surrounding areas visited the demonstration
pond while attending a field day sponsored by the Peace
Corps. Written and oral information concerning fish culture
were presented to the farm group.
The most encouraging development within the past 2 years
concerning promotion of fish culture has been the commit-
ment by MAG to establish two fish cultural specialist posi-
tions within the Agricultural Extension Service beginning in
1974. In addition, Fisheries Service personnel will be al-
lowed to conduct extension activities and to provide techni-
cal assistance directly to pond owners who request it. A
planned training program for the new extension specialists
will include in-country orientation and study, as well as ex-
posure to a successful commercial, hybrid Tilapia operation
at the Cantonal Agricultural Center, Turrialba, Costa Rica.
Lake Fisheries
Major natural and artificial lakes of El Salvador have been
studied over the past 3 years. This series of studies was
designed to provide data needed to manage each lake's fish-
eries so that the maximum sustained yield of aquatic organ-
isms could be harvested by the local artisan fishermen. Studies
carried out in 1971-72 were aimed primarily at gathering
fisheries statistics. In 1973, emphasis was shifted to include
studies on the limnology and fisheries biology of each area.
Both studies included the five largest lakes of El Salvador:
Lake Ilopango (70 square kilometers), Lake Guija (42 square
kilometers), Lake Coatepeque (25 square kilometers), Lake
Olomega (24.2 square kilometers), and the reservoir La
Presa 5 de Noviembre (20 square kilometers). Smaller
areas receiving attention were Laguna Verde (7.5 hectares),
El Espino (100 hectares), Chalchuapa (5 hectares), Laguna
de Metapan (312 hectares), and Laguna de Jocotal (110
hectares).
The gathering of fisheries statistics during 1971-72 usually
included two, 1-month visits to each lake, one during the dry
season and the other during the wet season. Smaller lakes
were visited only once, and the duration depended on size
of the lake and complexity of the existing fishery. Major
objectives of the work were to:
1. Estimate total harvest of each lake in 1972.
2. Determine average length, average weight, and per-
centage by weight of each species in the catch.
3. Evaluate various fishing techniques and types of gear
and determine catch per unit effort and fish size distribution
with the gear being used by local fishermen.
4. Gather information on fish processing and marketing
and estimate market value of catch.
5. Establish a census on each lake, with selected profes-
sional fishermen paid to collect and record catch data each
month.
Formal reports have been prepared for each lake and se-
lected portions of the information have been published. Ta-
bles 4 and 5 summarize some of the more interesting infor-
mation resulting from these studies. Estimated annual pro-
TABLE 4. ESTIMATED ANNUAL CATCH, ESTIMATED VALUE OF CATCH, AND CATCH COMPOSITION FOR THE FIVE
LARGEST LAKES OF EL SALVADOR
Lake and year Surface Estimated 
Estimated Estimated value of catch 
Catch composition by weight
total annual catch/ha./yr. Total value Value/hectare
Ha. Kg. Kg. $ ? $ ?Per cent
Ilopango' 1958 ----------. 7,052 130,400 18.49 88,640 86,600 5.48 13.70 cichlids (86), sardine (14)2
Ilopango 1971 - 7,052 107,304 15.22 59,054 147,635 8.37 20.92 cichlids (95), catfish (3)', sardine (2)
Olomega 1971 2,420 470,908 194.60 100,317 250,792 41.45 103.62 cichlids (42), sardine (41), catfish (17)
Olomega 1972----------- 2,420 524,166 216.60 67,933 169,832 28.07 70.17 catfish (54), cichlids (25), sardine (20)
Guija 1971----- 2,940 259,014 88.2 51,938 129,845 17.67 44.17 catfish (58), cichlids, sardine
Guija 1972 ........-----. 2,940 194,040 66.0 53,083 132,707 18.06 45.15 catfish (58), cichlids, sardine
Coatepeque 1971 2,500 113,517 45.4 40,379 100,947 16.15 40.37 cichlids (86), freshwater crab (13)
Coatepeque 1972 - 2,500 199,872 79.9 79,531 198,827 31.82 79.55 cichlids (93), freshwater crab (6)
5 de Nov., 1972 1,600 121,872 76.2 32,457 81,142 10.18 25.45 catfish (52), cichlids (38)
1 
Lin (1958).
2 Group includes primarily Astyanax fasciatus and Mollienesia sphenops.
SGroup includes Rhamdia guatemalenis, Arius guatemalensis and Arius taylori.
TABLE 5. AQUATIC ORGANISMS ENCOUNTERED IN FIVE LARGEST LAKES OF EL SALVADOR BY YEAR (NUMERALS INDICATE
POSITION OF ORGANISMS IN CATCH, PLUS OR MINUS INDICATES OCCURRENCE)
Coatepeque Ilopango Olomega Guija 5 de Nov.Scientific and common name
1924-56-71-72-73 1924-58-71-73 1957-72 1924-63-71-72 1924-72
Cichlasoma dowii, cebu
1  
---------. - -- -- - -+ - +
Cichlasoma guttulatum, mojarra azul-- - -
2  2 
- 2 2 
- -  -
Cichlasoma macracanthus, mojarra negra ------- -- - - - 1 2 + + + - - 3 + 2
Cichlasoma managuense, guapote tigre' - -- 1 1 -- -- 1 1 - 2 - 8
Cichlasoma meeki, mojarra ------------------- - - + - - - -
Cichlasoma motaguense, guapote pando 1 + + + 1 - - + - - + - - - -
Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum, burra---------- + + 3 3 2 + 3 2 + + + - + + +
Cichlasoma trimaculatum, istatagua ?-------+ + - - - 2 6 3 + + - + - + +
Tilapia mossambica, tilapia negra------------------- 4 + + +
Arius guatemalensis, bagre ( catfish) --------------- - --- - - + 1 + 1 + + +
Arius taylori, wicho (catfish) ------ ----------- - -- - - - -+ - 1
Rhamdiaguatemalensis, uin catemalfish .......u s - + + - + 5 + + + + - + + +
Astyanax fasciatus, sardina ------ + + + 8 + + 3 + - + + +
Mollienesia sphenops, chimbola ..----------- + + + + 3 + 7 + + 4 + - + + +
Roeboides salvadoris, alma seca ------------------------ + + - + - + - + - -
Priapichthys letonal, chimbola ---- ------ -- - - - + - - - -
Thyrina guija, monjuda -------------------------- - - - - - - - - . - - + - + + +
Poecilopsis salvadorus, chimbola_ -. -- - -- - - - + -. - + - +
Profundulus guatemalensis, chimbola - - ----- - - + 
Anableps dowii, cuatro ojos ------------- - -- - - + + + +
Pseudothelphusa magna, cangrejo (crab) ..-- --- -- + .----- - - + +
Agonostomus monticola, tepemechin - -- - -- - - -------------- + - - + -
Centropomis sp., robalo (snook) ---------------- - - - + - - + -
Macrobrachium tenellum, camarones -- - - + . ...--- - -- - - + +
(shrimp)
Introduced species.
duction was 1,109,984 kilograms and returns to fshermen
were 0702,302 ($288,121). It is noteworthy that Lake
Olomega, the most fertile of the five, contributed almost half
of the total production. This lake had a comparatively high
annual yield per hectare of 206 kilograms. Only five fish
species were common to all of the five lakes: two cichlids,
Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum and Cichlasoma managuense, a
small catfish, Rhamdia guatemalensis, a characid, Astyanax
fasciatus, and the top minnow, Mollienesia sphenops. The
piscivorous guapote tigre, C. managuense. is the only non-
native species. It was introduced from Nicaragua in June
1958 and has since attained a prominent place in the com-
mercial catch of each lake, Table 5.
Two lake survey teams began studies in 1973 to provide
more information on the commercially important aquatic
species, to gather more detailed data on the biological and
physical characteristics of each lake, and to test and evaluate
new types of fishing gear and capture techniques. This work
will continue through 1974.
Growth of noxious aquatic plants in some lakes and reser-
voirs of El Salvador hampers, and in some cases completely
eliminates, the fishery. The water hyacinth, Eichhornia cras-
sipes, is the most serious pest. Research trials conducted in
1972-73 revealed that the use of 2,4-D amine at rates vary-
ing between 10 and 15 pounds per hectare was an effective
and economical means of controlling this plant.
Information resulting from these studies and surveys is
being used to better manage important aquatic resources.
Presently under consideration is the 
first fisheries law ever,
with jurisdiction over inland waters. Efforts are being made
to incorporate new knowledge of the fisheries of each lake
into this new law so that the fishery is adequately protected
and wisely managed. Also as a direct outcome of the lake
studies, the Fisheries Service has begun a carefully planned
stocking program. Lake Olomega and Laguna de Jocotal
were both found to have large plankton populations but lacked
fish that could directly utilize this portion of the food chain.
Monthly stocking of the plankton feeder, Tilapia aurea, in
both lakes during 1973 has resulted in breeding populations
of the fish. Objective of this stocking was to increase both
total production and production of a more desirable com-
mercial species.
Participant Training
The Head of the Fisheries Service, Jose E. Cabrero, al-
though trained academically as a biologist and with consider-
able working experience in botany and plant physiology, had
had no formal or practical training in fisheries. It was recom-
mended that USAID/El Salvador provide funds for him to
participate in a study tour of the International Center for
Aquaculture, Auburn University, and other selected fish cul-
ture research and training facilities. This would allow Mr.
Cabrero, who has the responsibility for directing and ad-
ministering the Inland Fisheries Project, to observe the va-
rious facets of an on-going aquacultural training and testing
facility, and visit selected commercial food fish production
operations. This training was carried out during May 1973.
In June 1973, Cesar Abrego Funes began study toward a
B.S. degree in fisheries management at Auburn University.
Mr. Abrego had had 2 years of study in biology at the
University of El Salvador. He had served as a biologist and
as the acting Head of the Fisheries Service.
Two additional candidates have been selected and ap-
proved for fishery training at Auburn University. Cecilio
Garcia Ramirios, who will complete his B.S. degree at the
University of El Salvador in May 1974, will enroll the fol-
lowing month at Auburn University to work toward an M.S.
degree in fisheries. Mr. Ramirios worked as a biologist for
the Fisheries Service for over 2 years and has been receiving
intensive English training for the past 8 months. Mr. Ca-
brero, the Head of the Fisheries Service, will enroll in the
Graduate School of Auburn University in March 1974, to
study for the Ph.D. degree in fisheries management. At the
time of his enrollment, Mr. Cabrero will have served as
Head of the Service for over a year. He has had excellent
training in biology and is fluent in English, having received
both the B.S. and M.S. degrees at the University of New
Hampshire. With the return of these and perhaps other
trainees, El Salvador will have the trained technical person-
nel needed to carry out an effective and imaginative fisheries
development program.
Peace Corps Participation
The assistance of the U.S. Peace Corps in providing vol-
unteer biologists to work with Salvadoran counterparts in the
Service has been an integral part of the development project.
These volunteers bring technical knowledge, leadership abil-
ity, and initiative to the job. They have contributed signifi-
cantly to the progress made over the past 2 years, and their
continued participation is most desirable.
Short-Term Technical Assistance
A project review of the El Salvador Inland Fisheries Devel-
opment Project was conducted February 3-10, 1973, by Dr.
Moss, of the International Center for Aquaculture, Auburn
University. Results and conclusions of this visit were re-
ported that 
year.
2
November 18, 1978, Dr. E. W. McCoy, an agricultural
economist with the Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn
University, arrived to conduct a general economic analysis
of Salvadoran inland fisheries with emphasis on fish culture.
Results of this study have been published and distributed to
USAID/El Salvador.
3
USAID Equipment Grants
Laboratory and field equipment made available to the in-
land Fisheries Development Project through USAID equip-
ment grants has greatly increased the technical capability
and self sufficiency of the Fisheries Service. Little could have
been accomplished without this important input.
2Moss, D. D. AND D. R. BAYNE. 1973. Review of El Salvador
Fisheries Project AID/la-688. International Center for Aquacul-
ture, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
'McCoY, E. W. 1974. Economic Analysis of the Inland Fish-
eries Project in El Salvador. International Center for Aquaculture,
Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
10
Fisheries Publications
Although there has been some activity in the field of in-
land fisheries for approximately 25 years, few technical pub-
lications were available prior to 1971. Much of what is known
of research and evaluation conducted earlier was passed
along by word of mouth. Efforts have been made to estab-
lish regular channels for publishing important research find-
ings and for distributing extension and promotion literature.
The following have been published over the past 2 years
of the project:
Extension Literature
SERVICIO PISCICOLA. 1973. Manual de Piscicultura. Di-
reccion General del Recursos Naturales Renovable. Ministerio
de Agricultura y Ganaderia. El Salvador.
SERVICIO PLSCICOLA. 1973. Informacion general sobre
algunos aspectos importantes para la piscicultura salvadorena.
Direccion General de Recursos Naturales Renovables. Min-
isterio de Agricultura y Ganaderia. El Salvador.
SERVICIO PISCICOLA. 1973. Que es piscicultura en El Sal-
vador? Direccion General de Recursos Naturales Renovables.
Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia. El Salvador.
Research Related Literature
SANCHEZ Y DOMINGUEZ, CABLOS. 1972. Embriologia del
camaron del rio. Agricultura en El Salvador. 12(2):11-13.
BOWMAN, DAVID. 1972. Cultivo de la tilapia en agua dulce
y salada. Agricultura en El Salvador. 12(2):24.
GARCIA RAMIRIOS, CECILIO. 1972. Investigacion sobre
algas. Agricultura en El Salvador. 12(2) :25.
JOHNSON, K., A. ARGUMEDO Y M. RAMIREZ HIDALGO. 1972.
Evaluacion de los principales lagos de El Salvador. Agricul-
tura en El Salvador. 12(2):26-32.
RAMIRIOS, C. G. AND D. R. BAYNE. 1973. Cultivo de
Tilapia aurea (Steindachner) en corrales de 100 m
2
, alimen-
tado artificialmente con gallinaza y un alimento preparado
con 30% pulpa de cafe. Servicio Piscicola. Direccion Gen-
eral de Recursos Naturales Renovables. Ministerio de Agri-
cultura y Ganaderia. El Salvador.
BAYNE, D. R. AND E. C. BUTTER. 1973. Un metodo prac-
tico y economico para el control quimico de jacinto de agua,
Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) en El Salvador. Servicio Pisci-
cola. Direccion General de Recursos Naturales Renovables.
Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia. El Salvador.
BOWMAN, DAVID. 1973. Comparacion entre Tilapia aurea
(Steindachner) y Tilapia mossambica Peters como peces de
estanque en El Salvador. Servicio Piscicola, Direccion Gen-
eral de Recursos Naturales Renovables. Ministerio de Agri-
cultura y Ganaderia. El Salvador.
11