57. The Committee reviewed the programme of work of the project covering training, research, information and the establishment of national aquaculture centres.
58. There was general appreciation of the progress of activities carried out by NACA. The Committee recognised that the current duration of the project is too short for effective implementation of all the activities of NACA especially in view of the time needed for preparation of the programme, installation of facilities and implementation of the training, research and information programmes.
59. All countries expressed their appreciation for the way the training course for senior aquaculturists and the 4-month training course on Integrated Fish Farming were conducted.
60. The Committee noted with appreciation the collaboration given by SEAFDEC and IDRC in providing fellowships for the Senior Aquaculturists Training Course and the People's Republic of China in funding the 1983 short-term training in Integrated Fish Farming through TCDC arrangement.
61. In response to the proposal by IDRC to cooperate in organising some short-term training courses needed for the region, the Committee agreed to consider such activities when sufficient funds and manpower are available. It was noted that technologies developed at each lead centre will be tested and transferred to other countries in the region through short-term training courses.
62. In confirming the usefulness of the Senior Aquaculturists Training Course, the representative of Sri Lanka informed the Committee that his Government has provided for 2 fellowships each year for Sri Lankan nominees under the proposed ADB Aquaculture Project, beginning 1984 to 1988.
63. The Committee recognized that the main constraint in the continuation of the training course beyond 1983 is the inadequacy of funding for fellowships and operational expenses.
64. The Committee noted that all the regional lead centres have started implementing the research programmes and some lead centres have made significant progress.
65. In response to a suggestion that countries without regional lead centre could conduct similar research on their own, so that results obtained could be compared, it was pointed out that whilst interested countries are welcome to use the research outline prepared by ADCP for each lead centre, the main objective of the project is to concentrate such activities in the lead centres so as to enable multidisciplinary investigations to be conducted, thereby ensuring the efficiency of investigations and avoiding duplication of efforts.
66. In reviewing the information activities, the Committee noted that RLCT and RLCP have completed the installation of HP3000 minicomputers and the Aquaculture Information System (AQUIS) package, and that such installation in RLCC and RLCI will be effected in 1983. Staff of the Lead Centres have been trained in the operation of the computer and the use of AQUIS.
67. The Committee noted that the IDRC-donated MINISIS package had already been installed at RLCP while this would be effected at RLCT in early 1983.
68. In explaining the usefulness of the Aquaculture Information System, it was emphasised that cooperation is needed from individual scientists, institutions and governments to assist in the collection of data for entry into the computer. It was explained that AQUIS attempts to collect and store raw data of experiments, as well as data on pilot-scale and commercial aquaculture operations which are crucial to aquaculture development. The input forms for such data have already been prepared and participating countries are urged to assist in this coordinated activity. It was further pointed out that participating body can retrieve any information available in the computer through specific request. To assist in the search, a check list of available data will be prepared. Participating countries or institutions having their own computers can avail of the magnetic tapes which store the data. Print-out information stored in the computer may be released twice a year. By this way countries which have no computer facilities can be benefited by this programme. It was further indicated that efforts are being made by ADCP to convert the AQUIS programme for use in any minicomputer.
69. There was considerable discussion on the establishment of national aquaculture centres linked to NACA, the work of national centres and linkage activities. Testing of technologies, training of technicians/extension workers and information activities are expected to be developed in each national centre.
70. The Committee noted that the Government of the Philippines has designated the BFAR Demonstration and Training Centre in Pagbilao, Quezon Province as the Philippines National Aquaculture Centre, in association with other centres mentioned in paragraph 41. The facilities of these centres will be used for the testing of technologies developed by NACA Lead Centres, as well as training of fishery extension officers. A project proposal has been prepared for the establishment of the national centre. The Committee also noted the great interest expressed by the Government of the Philippines in NACA activities and its desire for NACA to assist its national aquaculture training programme for fishery extension officers and fish farmers.
71. The delegates of the Governments of Nepal and Bangladesh expressed interest to have their aquaculture centres linked to the NACA systems. Consultations will be held with NACA officers to work out the necessary arrangements.
72. In response to the expressed desire and interest of the delegate from Indonesia to establish a lead centre in Indonesia with emphasis on diseases, culture and breeding of Indonesian fishes which are not included in the work programmes of other lead centres, it was pointed out that NACA's research activities concentrate on adaptive and multidisciplinary team research on aquaculture systems of regional importance. On the question of basic research needed to improve or develop production system, the Committee was reminded of the inter-regional research centre established by ADCP at the Fisheries Research Institute at Szarvas, Hungary for the purpose of carrying out certain basic research of interest to all regional centres. Following further deliberation IDRC indicated that it would be amenable to re-examine its funding allocation if NACA would consider the establishment of an aquaculture centre in Indonesia. It was suggested that IDRC, NACA and Indonesia should discuss the matter further.
