ANNEX VIII
REPORT OF THE COORDINATOR TO THE SECOND PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING

Chen Foo Yan

I. INTRODUCTION

This report covers the period from November 1986 to December 1987 and includes the major highlights of the First Governing Council Meeting and the Tripartite Review. While details of the progress of activities will be reported by the Lead Centre Directors, this report will highlight the progress and problems in implementing the project activities. The future directions and programmes of NACA, including the concept of the Umbrella Network, to further support member governments' efforts in the management of the institutionalized NACA, will be briefly described.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

1. Origin of the Project

Asia has vast and varied aquaculture resources and aquafarming systems which have been in practice for centuries. While it holds high potential for fish farming, the countries in the region are at different stages of development insofar as the industry is concerned. Individual countries also have different priorities on different species groups and farming systems.

Because of the variety of species, aquafarming systems and national as well as regional priorities, several attempts made in the past by FAO and other organizations to attract the support of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) to establish an international aquaculture research centre have not been successful. “Fish” in its broadest term is unlike some major food commodity, such as rice, wheat, maize, root crops, and even chicken, pork and beef. It covers aquatic food organisms in the plant and animal kingdoms, with the latter comprising both the vertebrates and invertebrates.

Under the circumstances, FAO, through the UNDP/FAO project ADCP (Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme) considered that the pooling of resources available in the region through collaboration among countries would be an effective way of accelerating the development of aquaculture at both the national and regional levels, while the sharing of responsibilities in research, training and information exchange would also allow optimal use of existing capabilities with minimal duplication of effort.

Since none of the existing national aquaculture institutions in Asia has all the facilities and manpower to carry out the essential activities, the need to set up regional aquaculture lead centres to share these responsibilities was recommended at the 1975 Regional Workshop on Aquaculture Planning in Asia held in Bangkok, and endorsed by the FAO Technical Conference on Aquaculture held in 1976 in Kyoto, Japan.

In view of the above considerations and in response to the regional need, the UNDP/FAO regional project, “Establishment of a Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia” (RAS/76/003) was approved in June 1979.

The Project, commonly known as the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia or NACA, was designed to operate within the framework of Technical Cooperation Among Developing Countries (TCDC). Eleven governments are presently participating in the Project and represented in its Advisory Committee (now reconstituted into the Provisional Governing Council), along with UNDP, FAO and other collaborating and donor agencies. The eleven governments are: Bangladesh, China, Hongkong Region, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Efforts are being made to encourage other governments in the region to participate in the Project.

The original immediate objectives of the Project were:

• to conduct inter-disciplinary research on selected aquafarming systems for adaption and improvement of existing technologies and for the development of new technologies;

• to train core personnel needed to aquaculture development;

• to establish and maintain a regional information system for the provision of appropriate data and information for development planning, research and training.

2. Project Achievements under Phase I and Phase II

Since NACA started its field operation in 1980, it has made significant progress in attaining its objectives. It has been commended by all concerned for its major achievements, which would not have been possible without the strong support of the tripartite partnership of the participating governments, UNDP and FAO, as well as the colleagues in the Regional and National Centres, and the collaborating institutions such as SEAFDEC, UPV and IDRC.

Under the NACA Project, four aquaculture institutions, one each in China, India, the Philippines and Thailand, were selected and strengthened to serve as Regional Lead Centres, thereby establishing the initial nucleus of the Asian Network. Linkages between these countries and five National Aquaculture Centres - two in Indonesia, and one each in the Philippines, Bangladesh and Nepal - were also established to form an enlarged Network.

NACA has placed strong emphasis on manpower development, research and information exchange through TCDC activities.

Regular and short-term training courses have been organized. To provide broad-based training for senior personnel involved in planning and implementing aquaculture development projects, six one-year post-graduate training programmes have been organized through the Philippine Centre, with 119 senior aquaculturists from 20 countries graduated from the course. A total of 150 senior technical personnel from 24 countries were also trained in integrated fish farming though the four-month regular training programme organized by the Lead Centre in China for seven consecutive years. One hundred fifty-seven technicians have also received training in different aquaculture technologies under different short-term courses, while seven junior scientists have been seconded to lead centres for in-service training in research methodologies and participation in their respective research programmes.

The Project has assisted in implementing disciplinary and inter-disciplinary research programmes and published and disseminated research finding, training manuals, lecture notes, newsletters, instructional video tapes, and initiated the process of establishing a regional aquaculture information system. It has also initiated the programme for technology transfer through the exchange of national experts under its TCDC mechanism.

Besides organizing the workshop on the socio-economics of aquaculture development in the region, three working group meetings were also organized to prioritize research and training needs and to study the legal and financial issues and questions of establishing NACA as an inter governmental body. The latter has led to the Conference of Plenipotentiaries held recently to adopt an Agreement which will enable NACA to be established as an intergovernmental organization.

The Project has collaborated with other agencies and organizations, especially SEAFDEC, IDRC, and UPV. It has also generated extra budgetary support of about US$2 million to supplement the cost of implementing its activities. Most participating governments have contributed partially to the operating costs of the Network under certain cost-sharing arrangements, with a pledged amount of US$278,500 for the period 1985–1987.

Further details of project achievements in Phases I and II are contained in the Interim Report (NACA/ TPR-7/WP/03).

3. Objectives of the Project

The NACA Project is now in its Phase III of implementation under a separate Project Document (RAS/ 86/047). It is the transitional phase in which NACA is expected to be institutionalized.

While the original Project objectives still hold true, these have been modified somewhat, to separate the activities from the objectives, especially in view of the progress made in project implementation.

Through the continued networking and TCDC activities in sharing responsibilities of improving aquaculture technologies, the development of technical manpower and free exchange of information and expertise, the development objective of the Project is to assist the governments in Asia in their effort to expand aquaculture development for the purpose of increasing fish production, improving rural employment and income, diversifying rural farm production, and increasing foreign exchange earnings and/or savings.

3a. Immediate Objectives and Programme

In facilitating the achievement of the long-range development objectives of the Project, its immediate objectives are aimed at the following:

• Consolidating the establishment of an expanded network of aquaculture centres to share the responsibilities of research, training and information exchange essential to aquaculture development in the region;

• Strengthening institutional and personal linkages among national and regional aquaculture centres through exchange of technical personnel, technical know-how and information.

• Achieving regional self-reliance in aquaculture development through the establishment of a selfsupporting mechanism of the Network to ensure its continued operation within the framework of Technical Cooperation Among Developing Countries (TCDC);

• Promoting the role of women in aquaculture development.

Research activities are being shared by the four Regional Lead Centres located in China, India, Philippines and Thailand, focusing on filling the major knowledge gaps in farming systems and in intensifying or improving the efficiency of the technologies involved. Junior scientists are being seconded from the region to work as members of research teams of Regional Centres for in-service training.

The Regional Lead Centre in the Philippines, in addition, continues to serve as the headquarters for the one-year senior-level multidisciplinary degree training course in aquaculture. The Regional Lead Centre in China, on the other hand, provides training on integrated farming systems for fish-livestock-crop production. Short-term training courses are also being conducted on technologies developed in the other Regional Lead Centres.

Assistance is given to the countries within the region in establishing linkages between their National Aquaculture Centres and the Regional Lead Centres. These linked institutions are being strengthened to serve as nodal or focal centres of the respective governments. Assistance is being provided to these national centres to undertake verification of technology developed by the Regional Lead Centres and training of technicians/extension workers and farmers at the national level.

All the Regional Lead Centres which form the initial nucleus of the Asian aquaculture network, and the national centres which are linked to them, participate in the collection of data and information on aquaculture, and process these in a uniform manner for storage and retrieval. The centres undertake the dissemination of information of significance in their respective areas, including retrieval of information in response to individual requests.

The transfer of aquaculture technology and experience in aquaculture development and extension are also being effected through the use of national experts under the project TCDC mechanism.

The Project also provides ad hoc assistance for undertaking feasibility studies, formulation of projects and their implementation within the availability of its resources.

4. Financial and Implementation History

The NACA Project started its field operation in August 1980. Its original duration, based on Project Document RAS/76/003/A/01/12 approved by UNDP on 7 June 1979, was scheduled for 32 months from the proposed starting date, May 1979 to December 1981. It was intended to establish three centres in India, the Philippines, and Thailand. The establishment of another centre, the Regional Lead Centre in China, was included in the project revision code B approved on 13 June 1980 with UNDP input of US$1,996,388.

The First Advisory Committee Meeting held on 3–5 December 1981 in conjunction with the First Tripartite Review opined that the Network, which had been established at considerable cost and through persistent efforts to overcome the many difficulties, be maintained for the benefit of the region. Since the three major activities were still in their early stages of implementation, the Committee strongly recommended that UNDP support be continued until the end of the programming cycle 1982–1986. Thus the Project started its second phase in 1982. Subsequently, as a result of the Project's performance, and per the recommendations of the ADCOM, the Evaluation Mission and TPR, it was further extended. The total UNDP input for Phases I and II is USS5,446,413. NACA (Phase III) was approved in April 1987 with UNDP input of US$1,226,770 for two and one-half years, until December 1989.

As mentioned above, the first ADCOM Meeting was held in December 1981 in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines. Subsequent meetings were held annually, each time at a different place where a Lead or National Centre is located; Bangkok, Thailand (1982); Wuxi, China (October 1983); Bhubaneswar, India (December 1984); Kathmandu, Nepal (November 1985). The First Meeting of the Provisional Governing Council Meeting (which replaced the ADCOM) was held on 25–28 November 1986 in Surabaya, Indonesia, where two National Centres of NACA are located. The Tripartite Review was held annually immediately after each ADCOM Meeting at the same venue. Since 1985, it has been held concurrently with the ADCOM/PGC Meetings.

Table 1. Revisions to NACA Project Status, 1979–1987.

III. REVIEW OF PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

During the period of report (November 1986 to December 1987), NACA implemented the activities set out in Project Document RAS/86/047 as well as those recommended by the First PGC Meeting and the Sixth Tripartite Review. The Project has intensified coordination of networking activities involving free exchange of regional expertise and information through TCDC activities for technology transfer.

To solve the regional problem of fish disease, a research programme has been initiated on the relationship between fish ulcerative syndrome and the environment. Emphasis has been placed on filling of other research gaps aimed at aligning aquaculture with animal husbandry. Greater attention is being paid to follow-up socio-economic studies on aquaculture production and operation at the grassroot level to quantify the impact of aquaculture development on the rural community.

While the Project has increased its service support to other FAO/UNDP projects in the region, it has also initiated as well as supplemented the efforts of ADCP in conducting non-biotechnical studies, particularly the role of women in aquaculture development. The Project has continued its effort in organizing training programmes, both regular and short-term. Arrangements have been made to resume the one-year training course for senior aquaculturists at RLCP beginning March 1988. Pending the decision of ADCP on the evaluation of the resumption of AQUIS programme, the Project has directed greater effort in other information activities. The Project is also implementing the Seafarming Project which is under the umbrella of NACA.

The Project has increased its activities in establishing linkages between National and Regional Lead Centres and assistance is being provided in organizing training courses for extension workers and fish farmers at the national level. The upgrading of staff in the National and Regional Lead Centres is continuing. Pending the approval of the service conditions and remuneration scheme for national experts, the Project has initiated the programme of seconding national experts to undertake core activities, as a first step to phase out the international experts. Thai experts are being recruited under Special Service Agreement.

1. First PGC Meeting of NACA and TPR of the Project

The First Provisional Governing Council Meeting of NACA hosted by the Government of Indonesia was held in Hotel Simpang, Surabaya on 25–28 November 1986. The meeting was attended by representatives of most of the participating governments, UNDP, FAO, IDRC, SEAFDEC, UPV, and an observer from Bhutan. Welcoming the participants to Surabaya, Mr. Soeparmanto representing the Governor of East Java spoke of fishery development in the Province and looked forward to the exchange of ideas to assist brackishwater pond farming in East Java. Mr. David Thorup, deputy regional representative of UNDP, added that UNDP was proud of the efforts it had been able to make in supporting the efforts of member governments of NACA, aiming at making it an independent self-supporting intergovernmental organization. Dr. Colin Nash, Programme Leader of the Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme of FAO, noted that NACA was the most advanced of the four ADCP regional programmes and that it was looked up to for leadership and direction. The Director-General of Fisheries in Indonesia noted the extensive benefits that his country had received from NACA in terms of aquaculturists trained, research and information. He hoped that other countries in Asia, such as Bhutan, Burma, Japan, Korea, and Pakistan will also join NACA for the benefit of the whole region. The Honourable Junior Minister for Livestock and Fisheries of Indonesia congratulated FAO, UNDP and the participating governments for their foresight in establishing NACA and commended its performance.

Other highlights of the meeting were the endorsement of the working group reports on research, training, and legal/financial set-up of NACA.

With a view to maintaining the dynamics of the process of transforming NACA into an independent regional inter-governmental organization during the transition period, the PGC underlined the necessity for participating governments to continue to increase their voluntary contributions to NACA. This would allow a gradual transition from dependence on UNDP financing to self full-financing of core activities. SEAFDEC AQD, UPV and IDRC reaffirmed their collaboration with NACA whereas ICLARM noted that its collaborative activities with the host institutions of NACA Lead Centres would increase subject to ICLARM's resource limitations.

The observer from the Royal Government of Bhutan expressed the appreciation of his government for the opportunity to participate in the PGC meeting and in the NACA training activity. He informed the Council that the government was considering being a full participating member in order to benefit more from NACA activities.

During the TPR, UNDP highlighted the major achievement of the year, namely, the unanimous decision of the Advisory Committee to re-structure itself as the Provisional Governing Council, as the right step towards establishing NACA as an inter-governmental institution with its own financial and operational structures.

It noted that despite the year being one of transition in leadership in all the Regional Lead Centres and the loss of two international project staff from RLCP at a crucial period in the training programme, the satisfactory progress in NACA's research and training components indicated the underlying strength of the participating members and staff. However, indicating the continued weakness of the information systems, it suggested that the utility of this sophisticated computerized system be assessed in detail, and some recommendations made about continuing its use.

While UNDP advised NACA to prepare a Five-Year Plan of Work, complete with necessary budgets, to attract donors and also to be useful to each of the planning ministries of the member governments, it summed up its observations as follows:

1.1 The need to focus on the topics of research being proposed, and to emphasize aspects of aquaculture planning and management, noting the direction of ADCP towards these ends.

1.2 The need for a comprehensive survey of NACA's information system and needs to evaluate its usefulness, perhaps redirecting NACA's programme in this area after noting other resources being developed in the region as well as advancing technology.

1.3 The good use being made of the short-term training courses.

1.4 The need to monitor post-graduate training to anticipate transferring responsibilities to the universities with assistance.

1.5 The importance of strengthening linkages between National and Regional Lead Centres.

1.6 The need to develop a formula for the remuneration of national staff who assist the core unit of NACA, to be studied by UNDP.

2. Government Cost-Sharing

The details of government cost-sharing contributions to the NACA Project are shown in Table 2. Of the US$155,000 pledged for 1985–1986, a total of US$80,000 were derived from national treasuries, representing actual cost-sharing contribution. In 1987, only US$65,500 of the US$131,500 pledged were cost-sharing contributions. The total amount received to date from the participating governments is S216,500 comprising $145,000 from their respective national treasuries and $71,500 from their national IPFs.

While actual cost-sharing contributions have been transferred to the UNDP Contribution Account (No. OL5-002284), Chemical Bank, UN Branch, New York 10017, a dummy project as recommended by UNDP headquarters has been formulated to absorb contributions from the national IPFs.

3. Meeting of Directors of Regional Lead Centres

The meeting of the Regional Lead Centre Directors was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 14–16 January 1987, at which the ways and means to assist the Lead Centres in achieving the objectives set out in the Project Document and the Five-Year Plan of Work were discussed. The Coordinator indicated that NACA was poised for increased coordination of networking activities so that the intergovernmental NACA would be able to continue its planned activities. Decisions taken up and recommendations made at the meeting are as follows:

Table 2. Government cost-sharing contribution (US$) to the operation of NACA

Note: 1. Contribution for core cost

2. Contribution for training cost excluded from the above

3.1 The basis of recruitment of national experts was discussed. It was agreed that pending the approval of a remuneration scheme for national experts, the Lead Centre Directors would explore the possibility of seconding experts to serve in the Coordinating Unit.

3.2 It was decided that the RLC Directors would prepare a roster of potential experts including technicians and model farmers at different levels of expertise in various aquaculture and fisheries disciplines needed for TCDC activities.

3.3 Considering the importance of a NACA Newsletter for information dissemination purposes, it was decided that the Information Officer be recruited urgently.

3.4 It was decided that the RLC Directors would submit biannual progress resports, using the format of reports for the PGC Meeting; these are due in May and in September. The progress reports would include the research progress and results for those topics/farming systems for which the institution acts as the Lead Centre. However, mention should be made of collaboration with other agencies.

3.5 It was agreed that since the recognition of the national centres would initially be endorsed by the PGC, there was no necessity to set up a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Centre and the Regional Lead Centre.

3.6 It was the consensus that the AQUIS programme appeared to be useful for the governments in the region, and the RLC Directors expressed their wish to continue with the work until the ADCP could arrive at a decision on the future of the information programme.

3.7 RLCI informed the meeting that an Aquaculture Technical Conference might be organized by India in October 1988.

3.8 It was decided that the seventh training course for senior aquaculturists would continue in March 1988 at RLCP; the Coordinator would discuss further details with SEAFDEC AQD and UPV.

3.9 The recommendations of the Training Group regarding nomination procedures and selection of candidates for the regular training programmes were discussed. It was the consensus that it would not be practicable to adhere strictly to the recommendations on timetable of nomination and selection, but these would be observed as far as possible.

3.10 The RLC Directors agreed on the topics of the short-term training programme and of the research programme for seconded junior scientists as detailed in the Report of the RLC Directors' Meeting (PGC-2/REF/06), subject to the availability of funds.

3.11 The RLC Directors discussed the NACA research programme, referring to the ADCP Project Document and research priorities as assigned by ADCP, as well as the recommendations of the Research Working Group. It was agreed that:

• Socio-economic studies proposed to be initiated by the Lead Centres would include financing techniques for small-scale commercial aquaculture.

• Marketing studies on marine shrimp for local consumption need to be initiated.

• However, the Directors felt that cost-benefit studies on aquaculture-based capture fisheries stocking could not be initiated because of limited manpower and other constraints.

• Other recommended studies (rehabilitation of acid sulphate soils, rehabilitation of derelict freshwater ponds, shrimp maturation techniques, substitutes of trash fish and fish meal in fish feed, and improvement of integrated fish-crop-livestock farming) are already ongoing programmes of different Lead Centres.

• Marketing studies of molluscs will be initiated by the Seafarming Project.

3.12 The Directors discussed the research and information programmes as contained in the Draft Work Plan and agreed in principle on the research topics for 1987–1991 with minor modifications.

4. Project Staff

Dr. Y.C. Shang, Senior Aquaculture Economist, completed his assignment with the Project in July 1987 and has returned to the University of Hawaii after one year of sabbatical leave. Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri, National Consultant who was assigned as Training Coordinator for the RLCP Training Programme, completed his term in May 1987. The Project wishes to place on record its appreciation for their invaluable services to the Network.

Dr. Kee Chai Chong of Malaysia joined NACA in September 1987 as Aquaculture Economist and Mr. Hassanai Kongkeo of Thailand as Seafarming Management Expert in the same month. Mr. Pedro Bueno of the Philippines joined NACA as Information Specialist in December 1987.

Under the Associate Professional Officer scheme of FAO, Dr. Reider Kvam of Norway, Sociologist/Anthropologist, joined NACA in April 1987 and Mr. Alessandro Lovatelli of Italy, a Bivalve Specialist, in July 1987.

Mrs. Rebecca Cajilig of the Philippines was seconded to NACA in July 1987 as Information Officer by her parent institution, the U.P. in the Visayas. She is the first national expert to be seconded to the core programme.

Support staff attached to the NACA Coordinating Unit included Ms. Pudchorn Bumrungkul, Secretary; Mrs. Natya Kittiveja, Secretary; Miss Chujit Tongpratai, Computer Operator/Typist of the NACA Project; Mr. Prasarn Chaiyajak, Driver and Mr. Banchop Tampunlee, Driver, of the Seafarming Project.

5. Facilities Development

All host governments continued to provide funding support to expand the facilities of their respective Centres for increased activities of the Network. The Chinese government allocated funds for the construction of a new dormitory for international participants at RLCC, farm facilities are also being strengthened. The Indian government has funded the installation of the express power line that will provide continuous electric supply and direct telephone lines to RLCI. The international hostel in this centre is also being furnished, while the hatchery has been completed. RLCT, on the other hand, has provided additional office space to the NACA Coordinating Unit, and research facilities at Pichit Freshwater Fisheries Station for investigation of water hyacinth utilization as fish food.

6. Equipment

A total of US$55,261 has been committed for equipment, spare parts and chemical purchase for different Lead Centres during the period of the report. Because of the delay in obtaining approval, the procurement of vehicles for all Lead Centres was very much delayed, resulting in higher cost due to the depreciation of the US dollar. Of the six spare parts needed for HP3000 at RLCI, only one has arrived; five are still required to make the RLCI computer functional.

7. Research Activity

The Project supplemented the efforts of the Regional Lead Centres in terms of essential equipment, spare parts and chemicals to implement their work. The Regional Lead Centre Directors will present detailed reports on their research programmes; this report presents only the highlights of the research undertaken by the RLCs.

7.1 Regional Lead Centre in China

RLCC continued its bio-economic studies on the integrated fish farming models as practiced in China. Studies on polyculture indicated that grass carp as the main target species and bighead carp and silver carp combined together in the ratio of 10:2 give best yield followed by 10:3 to 10:4. Further studies to find out the optimum stocking ratio of common carp with grass carp, silver carp and bighead carp were conducted.

The effects of manure application frequencies upon fish yield indicated an increment in the yield by 30 to 40 per cent with daily application of manure compared to manure application in installment of 5–7 days. Further studies confirmed the superiority of fresh pig manure as fertilizer compared to fermented pig manure or inorganic fertilizers.

Studies on the application of fresh and compost green manure upon fish yield, the effects of manure application upon bacterial fish diseases and human hygiene, and the effects of nightly aeration in integrated fish ponds fish yield are in progress.

7.2 Regional Lead Centre in India

RLCI continued to intensify its disciplinary as well as interdisciplinary research on carp farming. The Centre made significant advances in investigating genetic marker in Indian major carps, formulated feeds of carps with 25 per cent to 35 per cent leaf protein extracted from water hyacinth showing comparable growth with the conventional feed mixture of ground nut oil cake and rice bran. It made very important observation on the incidence of severe ulcerative disease symptomatically similar to those occurring in the south Asian countries in Catla catla causing mass mortality. Virological examination of the samples is underway but bacterial forms similar to Aeromonas hydrophila and Staphylococcus aureus have been isolated. Further improvement has been made in killing predatory fishes effectively in undrainable ponds with calcium hypochlorite in combination with urea. Studies clearly showed that the addition of fresh water in broodstock ponds accelerate gonadal development better than aerating the ponds.

7.3 Regional Lead Centre in the Philippines

RLCP/SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department research activities which are geared towards the testing and refinement of existing shrimp and finfish seed production and culture techniques have progressed as planned. Advances have been made in the production of mass-scale milkfish fry production, tilapia breeding and culture, seabass breeding, siganids breeding and oyster seed and green mussel production systems. It has achieved success in inducing the spawning of oyster and mussel broodstock and in producing their seed under laboratory conditions. Studies on the chronic soft-shell syndrome in the tiger prawn P. monodon were acclaimed and given a prestigious award by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development.

7.4 Regional Lead Centre in Thailand

Advances have been made in induced spawning of Clarias macrocephalus and Clarias batrachus using crude HCG produced from urine of pregnant women. Studies conducted on hypopysation of Puntius indicated the efficacy of carp pituitary gland for induced spawning deteriorate with the time of preservation in acetone.

While studies indicated the use of water hyacinth as feed for Puntius fingerlings, soybean meal was found a better replacement for fish meal for Macrobrachium feed. Fish disease studies included experiments on luminescent disease in giant freshwater prawn larvae, research on water quality in relation to disease problems in catfish ponds, a disease survey for imported fish in order to prevent the spread of disease from other countries, and diseases of snakehead, catfish, grouper, and seabass. Toxic and sub-lethal effects of formalin in freshwater fishes were studied. Socio-economic studies on ricefield fish culture are in progress.

8. Training Activity

8.1 Regular training programmes

The one-year regular training programme for senior aquaculturists in Asia and the Pacific (sixth training course) was completed in March 1987. Nineteen senior aquaculturists from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand graduated from the sixth training course at RLCP; arrangements for the seventh training course which will start in March 1988 were made.

The seventh training course on integrated fish farming held at RLCC was concluded in August 1987. Thirty participants from Bangladesh, Burma, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the course. The eighth training course will commence in April 1988. The number of trainees and funding agencies of the 1987 regular training programmes at the Regional Lead Centres in China and the Philippines are shown in Table 3. Since 1981, a total of 269 trainees have attended the two regular training programmes (Table 4).

Table 3. Number of candidates and funding agencies, NACA regular training programme, 1987

Table 4. NACA Regular and Short-term Training Courses - Number of Participants by Country

8.2 Short-term training courses

Three short-term training courses were organized in 1987: the first, a six-week course on mass seed production of Chinese carps held at RLCC; the second, a four-week course on socio-economics and aquaculture economics; and the third, a four-week course on the environment monitoring and ulcerative syndrome in fish.

The objectives of the mass seed production training course were to enable the participants to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge of mass production of Chinese carp fry and fingerling for stocking purposes. It was conducted jointly at the Zhujiang Fisheries Research Institute in Guangzhow and at the NACA Regional Lead Centre in Wuxi, and attended by 16 participants (ten of whom were funded by IDRC) from Bangladesh, Hongkong, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam.

The training course on aquaculture economics and socio-economics was intended to train aquaculturists and upgrade their capability in conducting socio-economics research and economic analysis of aquaculture production. The training programme included micro and macro economics covering both production and marketing aspects, as well as social considerations. This training course was jointly organized by RLCT and Kasetsart University, with 22 participants from Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, DPRK, ROK, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

The preparatory training course on fish ulcerative disease syndrome and its relationship with the environment placed emphasis on upgrading the participants' technical skills in water chemistry and analysis, in designing of a sample programme, in identification of common fish pathogens and symptoms, and in the interpretation of data for establishing a relationship between environmental factors and fish disease problems, and to prepare the participants to undertake regional research on the relationship between ulcerative syndrome in fish and the environment. The training was organized at RLCT, attended by 18 fish disease experts/technicians from 11 countries in Asia. The participants have initiated the regional research programme on ulcerative syndrome in fish and the environment.

8.3 Secondment programme for junior scientists

To date, seven junior scientists have completed their secondment programme and are assisting their respective governments in developing and upgrading their technologies on which they have been trained. The second batch of junior scientists will be seconded next year. In response to NACA invitations, 20 nominations have been received from nine countries. Arrangements have been made for seven junior scientists to be attached with RLCT, RLCI and RLCP.

8.4 Training of women in aquaculture

Since the initiation of the Project, NACA has given emphasis to providing training for women in aquaculture. The Regional Lead Centre in India has been involved in a programme to train the rural women in Orissa on fish culture techniques, specifically growing fish in ditches, ponds and puddles and backyard ponds. These are intended to improve the standard of living of the rural families in the area. Besides small-scale fishing, the women are also taught by the RLCI extension in net-weaving and net-mending.

Most women nominees for the various training courses were accepted. Todate, 63 women out of 427 trainees, or roughly 15 per cent, have completed the training courses organized by NACA (Table 5).

9. Information Activity

While awaiting the final decision of ADCP on the future of the AQUIS programme, the Project directed its information programme toward the preparation of training manuals, working paper series, newsletters as well as instructional videos for use in training courses and briefings. Lecture notes, training reports and other materials were edited for publication.

Fifteen working papers comprising the reports of research conducted and completed at the Regional Lead Centres and National Centres were sent to different institutions and governments of the region.

While the RLCI's computer is not functional fully due to the lack of spare parts, the other Regional Lead Centres are utilizing their computers fully in cooperation with IDRC and SEAFDEC.

Table 5. No. of women participants in various training courses organised by NACA

10. Technology Transfer

Technology transfer was undertaken during the period of report through short-term training courses (see section on Training Activity), secondment of junior scientists, information dissemination, assisting centres in conducting in-country training programmes for extension officers, and exchange of national experts.

10.1 Short-term training courses

The short-term training course on mass seed production of Chinese carps was intended to train technicians who would then adapt or modify these Chinese carp mass seed production technologies for application or use in their respective countries.

A ten-day training course on integrated fish farming was conducted in Bangladesh with the RLCC expert, accompanied by a technician, as primary resource person. This training course was attended by extension workers in Bangladesh and other government employees in related work.

10.2 Secondment of junior scientists programme

Two junior scientists from Indonesia completed their one-year secondment at the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department/RLCT in 1987 and received in-depth training on milkfish and prawn culture/technologies. One junior scientist from Malaysia completed his secondment at RLCI where he was trained on carp farming in undrainable ponds. The post-graduate dissertations they submitted at the end of their training are as follows:

1. Mr. Kuntiyo: Comparative study between mono and polyculture of milkfish and prawn in brackish-water ponds.

   The study was conducted under the supervision of a Research Associate at RLCP.

2. Mr. Pudjiatno: Production of prawn (P. monodon Fabricius) using the modular pond system.

   The above study was also conducted under the supervision of an RLCP research staff.

   The training that the Indonesian junior scientists received from RLCP have upgraded their capability of doing research in their fields and, more important, given them the expertise in prawn and milkfish culture that they can adapt or modify according to prevailing conditions in Indonesia.

3. Mr. Zulkalfi bin Rashid: Soil and water management in nursery, rearing and stocking ponds for carp farming.

   Mr. Zulkalfi completed his programme in August 1987 and is expected to assist in the development of carp farming, in which he received intensive training.

10.3 TCDC Exchange of National Experts

Under the TCDC mechanism of exchange of national experts, Mr. Hu Baotong of RLCC, accompanied by a Technical Interpreter, assisted the Fisheries Research Institute in Mymensingh, which is the National Aquaculture Centre in Bangladesh, in conducting a ten-day training course on integrated fish farming. This course was in relation to the upgrading staff capability in the national centre and also as part of the technology transfer scheme of NACA. During the year, arrangements were also made for experts in RLCI to conduct a training course on composite carp farming in Bangladesh; this course, originally scheduled for November 1987, has been shifted to early January 1988. Arrangements to assist RLCI to conduct an integrated fish farming training course for extension workers in 1988 have also been made.

National experts in Thailand (Kasetsart University) assisted in the four-week training course on Socio-Economics and Aquaculture Economics in June 1987 by serving as resource persons. A Thai expert also assisted RLCP in the sixth training course for senior aquaculturists.

Dr. Kamonporn Tonguthai of NIFI/RLCT acted as coordinator for the training programme on the Environmental Monitoring on the Ulcerative Syndrome in Fish. NIFI and Chulalongkorn University staff served as resource persons in this training course, along with experts from Stirling University and ODA.

NACA places on record its appreciation for the services rendered by the National Experts in an honorary capacity.

11. National Experts

A roster of national experts from the region is being prepared. These experts will be selected to man the core activities of NACA and provide assistance to countries in the region on aquaculture development, planning and programming feasibility studies, project formulation, and technology transfer.

11.1 Service Conditions of National Experts

A study on service conditions of National Experts was conducted by Mr. Gary Rahn, Consultant, to enable the Project to recruit a core of National Experts who will gradually replace the international staff in undertaking the core activities of the intergovernmental NACA. The report (NACA/PGC-2/WP/08) is presented for the consideration for the PGC. In summary, the recommendations of the study are as follows:

11.1.1 It is essential that the employment conditions, including salaries and emoluments, should be harmonious and consistent with those prevailing in the countries responsible for financial support and management of the organization. Any deviation will impede the interchange and transfer of personnel between governmental technical and scientific institutions of the member countries of NACA. Thus, three professional grades and salary levels have been proposed. The scales are US$800–980 for Level 1; US$1,000–1,225 for Level 2; and US$1,400–1,760 for Level 3. The scales are divided into ten steps.

11.1.2 Although normally appointments should be made at Step 1, other appointments may be made at an advanced step should it be necessary for reasons of current earnings or senior experience of the candidate. Outstanding service should be recognized by awarding more than one step.

11.1.3 A probationary period of one year is proposed to be applied to all new appointments at NACA.

11.1.4 Fringe benefits and other allowances, including relocation, education grant, installation and children's allowance (in case accompanying the candidate) will be awarded to the candidate.

12. Upgrading of the Staff

The Project continued to upgrade the staff capability of the Lead Centres and the National Centres through different training programmes organized by NACA or other UN agencies; these trained personnel are now manning the activities in their respective centres.

The Project staff, including the APOs, have also assisted the staff of the Lead Centres and National Centres in the implementation of project activities.

13. National Aquaculture Centres

13.1 The National Aquaculture Centre in Bangladesh

The Fisheries Research Institute in Mymensingh is the National Aquaculture Centre in Bangladesh. The research programmes of the FRI include adaptive research on carp farming, integrated farming and other related topics. The programmes have well-defined objectives and the Centre has started the research activities. In-country training programmes have been started, with the first being the 10-day training course on integrated fish farming conducted in 1987. Experts from RLCC assisted in this course. The second is the training course on composite carp farming which will be assisted by RLCI experts in January 1988. The NACA Senior Aquaculturist visited the Centre and assisted in drawing up the adaptive research programme and the details of the in-country training programme for extension officers. The NACA Senior Aquaculture Economist also visited the Centre to follow up its research proposal on the socio-economics of shrimp farming.

13.2 The National Aquaculture Centre in Jepara, Indonesia

One of the National Aquaculture Centres in Indonesia is the Brackishwater Aquaculture Development Centre in Jepara. The NACA Senior Aquaculturist visited the Centre during the period of the report. Ongoing activities are shrimp culture, Artemia culture in salt ponds, polyculture of fish and shrimp, and raising of milkfish fry, fingerlings, and marketable-size fish. Two staff members of the Centre, Mr. Kuntiyo and Mr. Pudjiatno, were trained at RLCP for one year on shrimp and milkfish farming, and shrimp farming using the modular method, respectively. However, the Centre needs strengthening of expertise in pond dynamics, water quality control and shrimp diseases.

13.3 The National Aquaculture Centre in Sukabumi, Indonesia

The Freshwater Aquaculture Development Centre in Sukabumi is the other National Aquaculture Centre in Indonesia. During the period of report, it conducted several adaptive research studies, including breeding and nursery of catfish, breeding and nursery of Oreochromis niloticus, and intensive culture of carp in running water system. Two junior scientists, Mr. Firmansjah Sastradiwirya and Mr. Ceno Harimurti, were trained at RLCT on Macrobrachium and are assisting the Centre in this relevant field. However, the Centre needs further strengthening of its expertise on prawn disease and nutrition studies.

13.4 The National Aquaculture Centre in Nepal

The Fisheries Development Centre at Janakpur is the National Aquaculture Centre in Nepal. The Centre has completed the construction of its farm and laboratory. The adaptive research programme, and the mono and polyculture of carp and tilapia and Macrobrachium farming, polyculture of bighead, mrigal, rohu and common carp has shown very promising results. Studies on freshwater prawn farming are underway. It was first introduced in May 1987 from Thailand. High mortality occurred during the first transport; a second shipment of 5,000 juveniles of the prawn was made in June 1987. The NACA Senior Aquaculturist visited the Centre and assisted in drawing up the adaptive research programme, while the Senior Aquaculture Economist assisted in the evaluation of the project proposal to be submitted to IDRC on the socio-economics of cage culture in Nepal. The training activity of the Centre consisted of training of fisheries officers on hatchery management and fish culture, farmer visits, in-service training, and training for loan officers.

13.5 The Philippine National Aquaculture Centre

The shrimp hatchery project at PNAC has been completed and is ready for operation. A dry run of all component parts has been made with the assistance of the Regional Lead Centre in the Philippines; the assistance was particularly in the preparation of natural food (algal) production. The procurement of additional equipment, supplies and materials identified by RLCP required for the Centre; and the procurement of the required broodstock and wild spawners have been completed and the grow-out pond has been prepared for stocking. The Seafarming Management Expert, being a shrimp expert, also visited and assisted the centre in hatchery operation and management.

14. Support Service for Other UNDP/FAO Projects

The Project assisted in the implementation of the Seafarming Project for the regional development of mariculture. The First National Coordinators' Meeting was held in October 1987, the details of which are contained in NACA/PGC-2/REF/07. The Project also facilitated the organization of study tours under IND/85/002, IND/85/ 059, VIE/83/002, TCP/PHI/6651 and TCP/CPR/6760, as well as assisted in the placement of fellows under IND/85/ 002, IND/85/059, and VIE/83/002. Consultants were also identified for IND/85/002, CPR/81/014, and TCP/CPR/ 6760. Fellowships were arranged for a total of 25 participants and study tours for eight. Dr. Y.C. Shang assisted the training programme at Pirassununga under GCP/RLA/075/ITA and Dr. V.R.P. Sinha, assisted the training programme held at Szarvas, Hungary under GCP/INT/435/AGF. Dr. Sinha also assisted the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the formulation of a project proposal on the intensification of freshwater aquaculture research in that country.

15. Relationship with other Agencies and Organization

NACA has continued to pursue collaboration with other agencies and organizations to achieve common goals and objectives in aquaculture development. These collaborative activities are related to the major functions of the Network in research, information exchange and particularly in its training activity. During the period of report, the Project collaborated with the following agencies and organizations: the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), which continued to provide funding support for fellowships. IDRC also provided its staff, Dr. Christopher MacCormac, who served as resource person in the socio-economics regional training course organized at RLCT; the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, which served as RLCP and provided mutual cooperation in implementing Project activities. The International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources and Management, provided Dr. H. Lampe as resource person in the Project's socio-economics regional training course.

NACA has been collaborating with the University of the Philippines in the Visayas on the senior aquaculturists' course. Other institutions in the region are lending their support to NACA in its organization of various training programmes.

The Kasetsart University assisted NACA in the organization and implementation of the regional training course on socio-economics/aquaculture economics; and the Chulalongkorn University on the training course on ulcerative disease of fish and its relationship to the environment. The University of Stirling in the United Kingdom and the Overseas Development Authority also provided consultancy for the course. Further, the University Pertanian Malaysia, along with IDRC, will be collaborating with NACA in organizing the Fish Disease Diagnostics Course next year.

16. CGIAR/Technical Advisory Committee

One of the major events which would further stimulate the development of aquaculture is the possible support for aquaculture research by CGIAR. NACA facilitated the organization of the CGIAR/TAC's Meeting of Government Representatives of South/Southeast Asia Region on Aquaculture Research in Bangkok in July 1987. In view of the importance of this emerging trend, NACA counseled the participants to consider the higher objective of aquaculture development and avoid the pitfalls of technicalities and institutional vested interests, thereby creating a conducive environment for CGIAR to invest in aquaculture research and establish an international research centre for aquaculture in Asia. NACA, with its strengthened regional lead centres and its disciplinary sub-networks, would have an important role to play in contributing to the efforts of CGIAR.

17. Government Contributions and Benefits

Tables 6 and 7 show, respectively, the number of trainees by country/government and the ratio of fellowships allotted. Participating governments of NACA continued to get about 80 per cent of the fellowships. However, Burma, Pakistan and Vietnam are the major beneficiary of the Project among the non-member governments, followed by DPR Korea, Republic of Korea, Papua New Guinea and Laos. In view of their continued and increasing interest to participate in the NACA activities, they should be invited to become members of the Network.

IV. MAJOR PROBLEMS

1. Funding of fellowships for Senior Aquaculturists

Because of extreme budget constraints, NACA is facing serious financial problems in funding fellowships for the two regular training courses. The number of participants may have to be drastically reduced.

2. Resumption of AQUIS Programme

The implementation of the AQUIS programme has been a major problem for the Project. The lack of technical backstopping from ADCP has affected its operation. It should be stressed that the host governments of lead centres have invested considerable funds on the installation of the computer facilities. The Project will have to take unilateral action to resolve this problem. Support for a project for the establishment of a regional aquacultural information network (RAIN) is deemed necessary.

3. Contributions from Hongkong and Nepal

In the last Provisional Governing Council Meeting, Hongkong had indicated its difficulty in increasing its annual contributions to NACA, particularly considering the relative importance of aquaculture to the government. It had proposed that special considerations be given to members/intending members of the Network, where there are over-riding constraint factors in the potential development of aquaculture. Nepal also requested that it be given special consideration in the matter of contributions. While this is not a major problem in project implementation, it is an issue which needs to be resolved by PGC in order to facilitate their continued participation in NACA activities.

V. CONFERENCE OF PLENIPOTENTIARIES

The Conference of Plenipotentiaries for the adoption of an Agreement on NACA, organized by FAO, was held in the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok from 5th to 8th January 1988. Twelve governments, namely Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hongkong, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand, participated in the conference along with observers from SEAFDEC and UNDP. The draft Agreement was discussed in detail and was adopted by the Conference as amended and will be submitted to governments for consideration.

The Record of Adoption and the adopted Agreement are contained in NACA/PGC-2/REF/08.