8.1 Freshwater required to control the salinity of pond water in the pilot development at Ban Merbok to the required level during the dry season is not readily available. Water in the borrow pit although fresh, has been tested to have low pH. Ground water studies were not undertaken and no information is available. The drilling of a well may be suggested and exploration for ground water be conducted as an interim measure to supply water to the ponds and the center when necessary.
8.2 Farm inputs especially on skilled labour seems to be lacking. Local customs and traditions may have to be considered in planning a farm programme. It may be assumed that one of the eight families has experience in brackishwater pond culture. A demonstration pond of three modules will be developed ahead of the remaining eight units and these shall be under the management of a biologist/consultant in cooperation with a counterpart staff.
8.3 The occurrence of acid sulphate soils along the coastal areas of Peninsular Malaysia has been noted, the presence of which can only be known during construction or when extensive soil tests are made. It is generally known that conditioning of acid sulphate soils is slow, expensive and requires a considerable amount of work (Kanapathy, 1977). With time and continuous flushing, sulphates are removed. It is suggested that excavations shall not proceed if layers of acid sulphate soils are exposed. Top soil which is good soil must be set aside and relaid back. If there is no strict monitoring and no adherence to proper construction procedures by the contractor, problems in pond management will arise.
As mentioned earlier, the contractor should be advised of the need for, and agree to a construction period during which the main dike is constructed in at least three stages. Extra time and expense will be added to funding and time frame.
8.4 No extensive examination has been made of the existing potential sources of gravid adult shrimps, required as input into the hatchery programme.
Similarly, no data as to fry requirement of the Ban Merbok (pilot and succeeding phases) and other aquaculture projects are made available. Inasmuch as the hatchery programme is interdependent of the Ban Merbok and other aquaculture projects, it is suggested that the final programme for hatchery implementation be undertaken as soon as relevant data are available.
The hatchery programme as outlined in Section 5 is somewhat provisional and preliminary and the pre-design specifications of the project seem to be lacking in terms of fry and fry production. Somehow, design inputs for technology, equipment, infrastructures and land requirements are presented.
8.5 No preliminary estimates were made of the capital and operating costs of the hatchery. Cost estimates discussed in Section 9 are for the Ban Merbok pilot development only.
