-- Operation Blessing International Launches Large Scale Aquaculture Program --
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – One of a diminishing number of relief organizations still on the ground in the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti, Operation Blessing International (OBI) is assisting earthquake victims by providing an important food source as well as a means for economic self-sufficiency – tilapia and tropical fish.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Aquaculture of Haiti, OBI has launched a large-scale aquaculture plan to help Haiti develop an aquaculture industry that will provide both food and income for residents.
Already underway, OBI has imported 60,000, baby tilapia in January 2012 that will be raised in two, 125,000-gallon aquacells. The aquacell production plan utilizes a model that produces more fish per area than traditional methods. Within five months, weekly harvests of tilapia will begin which will be used to feed Haitian children. The tilapia farm is expected to produce up to 40,000 lbs. of fish annually.
In addition, OBI has imported over 2,000 tropical freshwater ornamental fish (Tiger Barbs, Sunburst Platy, Angelfish, Gourami, etc) in an effort to help jump-start an ornamental fish industry in Haiti.
According to Bill Horan, president of OBI, freshwater tropical fish are popular, easy to raise, breed and maintain. Horan believes there is a market for tropical fish in Haiti, the neighboring Dominican Republic, and potentially even the U.S.
“At present, almost all freshwater tropical fish coming into the U.S. are from Asia. These ornamental fish can be easily raised in Haiti, which is so much closer. Since ornamental fish have a value of more than $200 per pound, this program will not only empower Haitians, but will create jobs.” Horan said.
The immediate goal is for OBI to build up a foundation stock. The next step will be to launch a microenterprise program in order to train Haitians in how to raise fish in their homes so they can begin to earn money, Horan said.
In early 2011, OBI constructed an aquaculture facility at its Zamni Beni children’s home in Santo, Haiti, which has provided food to more than 40 children living in the home. The new aquacells and ornamental rearing equipment will be added to the original facility at Zamni Beni.
“Tilapia is very important for Haiti, since many suffer from protein deficiencies. Fish is highly desired, but ocean stocks have declined from overfishing, meaning most fish consumed is imported and expensive,” said Horan. “An added bonus to the program is that excess water will irrigate raised beds of vegetables alongside the aquacells. This water has a high level of nutrients and will decrease or eliminate the amount of additional fertilizer necessary for plant growth.”
What sets OBI apart from other non-profit organizations working in aquaculture is the extensive experience of its staff in global, commercial operations. Horan adds that Haiti can better move forward and develop its own unique technologies if it is first challenged by those technologies used in other countries as a benchmark.
“A sustainable program such as this requires the participation of government, business people, market supply chain, social aspects within communities, worker needs and environmental stewardship using resources efficiently. Our approach and experience enables OBI to connect all these dots so that everything is working together to create a successful program.”
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter than 20 miles from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, that killed an estimated 316,000, injured a million, made homeless 1.5 million to 1.8 million, and either collapsed or severely damaged an estimated quarter-million commercial buildings and residences. Some 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater were recorded within 12 days following the initial quake.
While Haiti remains the poorest nation in the hemisphere, many positive and encouraging things are happening. Yet, for the many who lost homes, life is still completely upside down,” said Horan.
ABOUT OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL: Operation Blessing International (OBI) is one of the largest charities in America, providing strategic disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, clean water and community development in 23 countries around the world on a daily basis. OBI was awarded Charity Navigator’s coveted 4 star rating for sound fiscal management for the 7th year in a row (2011), a feat that only 2% of rated charities have ever achieved. In November 2010, Forbes named OBI as the 6th most efficient charity in America. Additionally, the Chronicle of Philanthropy currently ranks OBI as the 23rd largest charity and the 6th largest international charity. Founded in 1978, Operation Blessing International has touched the lives of more than 235 million people in more than 105 countries and 50 states, providing goods and services valued at over $2.7 billion to date.