Use of geographic information systems (GIS) for the assessment of fish farming potential at the municipal level

Abstract

There has been a great deal of development in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in a variety of areas during the past two decades, particularly for decision-making related to regional planning. In fish farming, GIS have been used particularly to determine site potential. Furthermore, they can be used as a tool to provide recommendations for the planning and implementation stages of fish farming projects. The Castilla La Nueva municipality, located in the Meta department in Colombia, was chosen for this study because fish farming activities are an important economic portion of the agriculture sector. Due to the adverse environmental effects, that fish farming may produce when not properly implemented (water pollution, land-use change, land-use conflicts, etc.), the modern information analysis techniques becomes critical for municipal planning tasks such as the integration of fish farming and environmental conservation. The results obtained after implementing the GIS, which was based on mathematical and statistical modeling, are represented by thematic mapping and a map of the studied zone displaying the area’s suitability for fish farming. We expect that these results will contribute to the identification of the most suitable places for fish farming in Castilla La Nueva. This will provide the municipality’s town planners with the elements required to organize the rural sector with more knowledge and environmental commitment. Likewise, we also hope that this will set an example to be followed by other Colombian municipalities in terms of zoning.