Annex VIII

REPORT OF THE COORDINATOR
THIRD MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
NETWORK OF AQUACULTURE CENTRES IN ASIA
26–28 October 1983, Wuxi, China

I. BACKGROUND OF PROJECT

For easy reference, the background, objective and financial/ implementation history of the regional project presented in the previous report are reproduced here.

The UNDP/FAO regional project (RAS/76/003) was proposed in response to recommendation of the 1975 Regional Workshop on Aquaculture Planning in Asia, Bangkok and the 1976 FAO Technical Conference on Aquaculture held in Kyoto, in which the need to set up regional aquaculture centres to share the responsibilities of conducting research, training core personnel and establishing information system was highlighted. The project, which is designed to operate within the framework of Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries (TCDC), is part of the global network of regional Aquaculture Development and Co-ordination Programme (ADCP).

1. Objective

In attaining the long-range objective of increasing fish production through aquaculture, the immediate objective of the project are to establish four regional aquaculture lead centres for:

• training of aquaculture core personnel needed for development;

• conducting multidisciplinary research on selected fish culture systems for adaptation or improvement of existing technologies, and for the development of new technologies;

• establishing and maintaining a regional information system for the provision of appropriate data and information needed for development planning, research and training.

A selected number of existing national centres will be developed for linkage with the regional lead centres for interchange of experience, expertise and information. Training of technicians and extension workers at the national level will be organized by the national aquaculture centres thus established.

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

2. Financial and Implementation History

1. Date of project implementation

   Project implementation commenced in late 1980 with the appointment of the Project Coordinator in August 1980 and the Senior Aquaculturist (Training) in September 1980.

2. Date of original duration

   The original duration of the project based on the project document RAS/76/003/A/01/12 approved by UNDP on 7 June 1979 was scheduled for 2½ years, 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 coded B approved on 13 June 1980.

3. Current project revision, duration and UNDP contribution

   The current project revision is coded D with the project duration extended by two years to December 1983 and UNDP contribution increased by $1,212,721.

4. Total UNDP contribution and amount committed

   Under the mandatory revision coded F of 25 April 1983, revised UNDP contribution is $3,205,635 apportioned for the years as shown in Appendix 1. The amount expended and committed as at July 1983 is $2,958,098.

5. Date and venue of the previous Advisory Committee Meeting

   The second Advisory Committee Meeting was held on 14–15 December 1982, at the Rama Tower Hotel, Bangkok.

II. PROGRESS OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

The progress report for the period November 1, 1982 – June 30, 1983 has been sent to participating governments. This report is an updated one, summarising the progress of various activities during the period November 1, 1982 to October 21, 1983. Further details are contained in the reports of lead centre directors (Appendices 3, 4, 5 and 6).

Since the last Advisory Committee (ADCOM) Meeting, the project has continued to accelerate the implementation of its activities. All the four centres, including the two newly constructed ones, are now implementing their research programmes fully, and some of the results have been encouraging. While the training activity has become routinised it continues to be a high priority area, with its programmes continuously being improved. The implementation of the information activity is gaining momentum in the regional lead centres in Thailand and the Philippines, and it is being initiated at the remaining centres in India and China. Host governments and host institutions have continued to strengthen the capabilities of their respective centres to facilitate their role as regional aquaculture institutions in Asia and the Pacific. Construction of the RLCC Research and Training Building has begun.

In addition to the three major activities efforts have also been directed at (a) establishing national aquaculture centres (b) collaborating with other agencies sharing common insterest and objectives (c) publication of newsletters (d) implementing TCDC activities (e) providing ad hoc assistance to host governments and host institutions, and (f) organizing ADCOM meeting and Tripartite Review (TPR).

With expanded activities more problems have also cropped up but these were resolved to the best interest of the project. Shortage of suitable manpower and operating cost remains as the major problem, and this has been further compounded by the uncertainty of the future funding and extension of the project. While intensified actions have been taken to generate funding support, in response also to the recommendations of the Second ADCOM Meeting and TPR, the uncertainty has been a major factor of concern. However, although this has been unsettling, it has not caused serious adverse effects in the overall operation of the project. On the whole, the project is making good progress in the implementation of its activities as detailed below.

1. ADCOM Meeting and TPR

The Second ADCOM Meeting and the TPR, hosted by the Royal Thai Government, were held at the Rama Tower Hotel, Bangkok during 14–15 December 1982 and 16 December 1982 respectively. Participating in the ADCOM Meeting were 35 representatives from 10 of the 11 participating governments as well as SEAFDEC, UPV, UNDP and FAO. Four observers from the Government of Japan, IDRC and ICLARM also participated.

In its review, the Committee expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the short period since the project started its operation in the field. In view of the uncertainty of its extension and future funding the Committee in its deliberation proposed recommendations which are summarised as follows:

• UNDP should extend the project for the remaining period of the UNDP programming cycle with funding at the 1982 level;

• FAO should continue and intensify its search for additional donor contributions for strengthening NACA activities;

• Participating governments should consider contributing to the operating costs of NACA, in order to attract greater donor support.

During the TPR, the review team comprising 21 representatives from 10 participating governments, UNDP and FAO was also satisfied with the progress made by all lead centres in their activities and the implementation of the recommendations of the last TPR. In view of the cash flow problems facing UNDP and the need to foster self-reliance, the review team formulated the following recommendations:

• Since training needs of the countries continue to grow, the present donors should be urged to continue support while prospective donors should be encouraged to make contributions.

• In order to develop a self-supporting mechanism for funding the network the meeting charged the Coordinator with the responsibility of addressing the importance of this matter to the participating governments.

• In view of the non-emergence of an alternative funding source UNDP should be urged to consider possibilities of sustaining support to the project beyond 1983, at least at the present level, so that the ongoing activities would not be jeopardised.

The reports of the Second ADCOM Meeting and the TPR have been prepared and circulated to participating governments and concerned agencies.

The follow-up actions taken to implement the recommendations of the ADCOM Meeting and the TPR will be reported under the section on extension and future funding of the project.

2. In-house Meeting of NACA Secretariat

An in-house meeting among project staff and directors of the four regional lead centres was held on 17 December 1982 to review the implications of the Tripartite Review and to discuss actions to be taken in the light of recommendations of the two meetings and the acute resource constraints, coming at a time when most lead centres were at a take-off phase in implementing their activities relevant to the objectives of the project. In order to maintain the momentum of project implementation and to facilitate the administration of the Network, it was decided that the following actions, among others be taken:

• To continue with the proposed adaptive and production-oriented research within the resources available and to disseminate research results as soon as they become available.

• RLCP to take over the responsibility of sending invitation to nominating governments and processing nominations for the fourth training course in 1984. In view of impending repatriation of the RLCC Research and Training Adviser, the NACA Head Office will continue with the task of inviting and processing nominations for the integrated fish farming training course.

• All lead centres directors are to ensure timely submission of their respective 6-monthly progress reports and news items for the NACA newsletter. The progress reports should be submitted in June and December of each year.

• All centres directors are to encourage aquaculturists of host countries to assist in filling up the AQUIS data input sheets.

• All lecture notes for the RLCP-based training course are to be compiled.

There was considerable discussion on the preparation of the ‘State of the Art’ of manuals/handbooks of the NACA aquaculture system of importance to the region. Although some members felt that there was a need to maintain high academic and editorial standards of publication, which would require much time, effort and funding, there was general concensus that these should be published as working papers for rapid dissemination to participating governments.

3. Personality and Project Staff

On 1 October 1983, Mr. Vanich Varikul, the former National Director of RLCT was appointed as the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives upon the retirement of Commander Swarng Charernpol, RTN. NACA congratulates Mr. Varikul for his appointment and looks forward to the continued support and cooperation of the Department of Fisheries in Thailand. In bidding a fond farewell to Commander Swarng, NACA wishes to place on record its deep appreciation for his strong support and encouragement given to RLCT and NACA thorughout the formative years, and to extend to him NACA good wishes for an active and happy retirement.

Mr. R.D. Zweig, the RLCC Research and Training Adviser was repatriated on 5 February 1983 after completing his contract. NACA wishes to express its appreciation for his valuable services during his one-year term of office at RLCC.

The project now has three international staff members and one Associate Expert. Dr. CHUA Thai Eng (Senior Aquaculturist - Training) and Mr. Pinij Kungvankij (Aquaculturist - Research) are based in the Philippines while Mr. G. Spiller (Associate Expert - Catfish Research) and Mr. CHEN Foo Yan (Project Coordinator) are based in the Thailand Centre.

4. Facilities Development and Personnel of Lead Centres

Contributions of the host governments and host institutions for the establishment and operation of the Network have been significant since the project started its operation in the field. These contributions will be elaborated later under the section on extension and future funding of the Network. Meanwhile, further inputs of facilities and manpower are described below:

RLCC: More recreational facilities to cater to the needs of trainees from the region have been added. The construction of the concrete roads leading to the centre and the enclosing walls have been completed along with more staff quarters. Plans for the construction of the 4-storeyed research and training building of 4500 m² have been completed. Construction work has begun ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of next year or early 1985. Meanwhile the centre is using the new facilities of its host institution, the Changjiang Fisheries Research Institute (CFRI), including the 3-storeyed research building of 3500 m² in floor area and the 85 ponds of total water surface area of about 80 mu or 5.3 ha.

Through integration with CFRI whose director is Mr. Liu Shiying, the centre has now expanded its capacity for implementing the activities of the Network. With Mr. Yang Lu-wei as the Adviser of CFRI, it is expected that the centre will make rapid progress in its contribution to aquaculture development in the region.

RLCC has also increased the number of its technical manpower by six, four for information activity and two for administration. The total number of technical and administrative personnel at RLCC is 52. The centre also draws upon the technical services of the host institution to implement its activities, especially in training and research.

RLCI: The construction of the hatchery of 20 million fry production capacity has started. The Hostel for national and international trainees is almost completed. All the 94 living quarters of the first phase are completed and are being occupied by the staff. The stationing of the scientific, technical and other supporting personnel at the farm site has accelerated the progress of research work. A major part of the farm road has been completed, and this has greatly facilitated the construction of 101 ponds at the rear sector of the farm, which are almost completed. Damaged ponds resulting from the 1982 floods are being renovated. While the sinking of a well for supply of water to the hatchery is in progress, the installation of a windmill has been completed. The windmill will be used for experimental studies on the economics of different sources of water for undrainable ponds.

With the transfer of staff from the old Cuttack Fish Culture Station where pioneer work on aquaculture has been conducted, the total number of technical staff has increased to 29. Similarly, along with staff transfer, equipment at the Cuttack Station has also been shifted to the newly constructed centre.

RLCP: The construction of the $90,000 hatchery-nursery complex was completed in March 1983. It has an annual production capacity of 10 million juveniles. The complex is also complete with facilities for algal culture, dry laboratory, water storage, filtration, air and water lines.

The SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (host institution of RLCP) has changed its administration since 3 January 1983. The new Chief of the Department, Dr. A.C. Santiago, Jr., is now the Director of RLCP. NACA congratulates Dr. Santiago for his new appointment and welcomes him to the NACA Secretariat. NACA also wishes to place on record its appreciation for the past efforts of the former Director, Dr. Lacanilao, in facilitating the work of RLCP and to wish him success in his future endeavour. During the Coordinator's visit to RLCP in late January 1983, an understanding has been reached in which the new administration will not only continue to support but also enhance and strengthen the NACA activities in RLCP.

The host institution has assigned to the centre 10 administrative support staff for the project office and training, 8 technical staff for research and 2 information staff. The centre also receives back-up support of the technical and administrative personnel of the host institution as well as the teaching staff at UPV to assist in the implementation of its activities.

RLCT: The facilities at the Nong Sua Fisheries Station 70 km north of Bangkok in the Province of Pathum Thani have been made available for RLCT research projects this year. The station is still under construction under an Asian Development Bank project loan with a total construction cost of $680,000. Construction will be completed later this year. Facilities consist of 84 earthern ponds, a reservoir of 2.24 ha. and 193 concrete tanks. Water is supplied by gravity flow from a large irrigation canal in the district. In addition to the pond facilities, living quarters have also been made available to the RLCT research staff.

The Head of the station, Mr. Panu Tavarutmaneepul is actively involved in both RLCT research projects there. In addition to the Head, permanent staff consists of 2 biologists, 2 technicians and 10 workers. Besides the host institution (National Inland Fisheries Institute), Chachoengsao Fisheries Station and Suphanburi Fisheries Station, the centre can also draw upon the facilities and services of technical personnel based at various fisheries stations in Thailand.

5. Consultants

The consultant man-months have been utilized mostly for the initiation of the information activity. Some have been used for research and training. In research, RLCC has benefitted from the July/August visit of Dr. Gerald Schroeder in the use of stable carbon isotope (delta C) as a tool for tracing the carbon pathways in the food-web. While Dr. Ronald Roberts of Stirling University gave lectures and practical classes on fish diseases to the RLCP-based trainees in October, Dr. Kanazawa of Kagoshima University is expected to visit RLCT in mid November as a consultant in fish nutrition.

6. Equipment

Since the project started operation, a total of $1,311,603 has been expended on equipment as reflected in the July financial statement. The balance ($45,707) of the equipment budget are being utilized and will be utilized before the end of 1983, pending the recommendations of the consultants.

7. Training Activities

Since the establishment of NACA in 1980 two types of training courses have been organized per year - the one-year Training Course for Senior Aquaculturists and the four-month Training Course on Integrated Fish Farming for Senior Technicians. To-date, a total of 87 participants from 17 countries have graduated from these courses. RLCC has concluded three sessions of its training course and RLCP two, the third being in progress with 21 participants from 11 countries. The participants of the third RLCP course have successfully concluded their 2½ month overseas study tour in Thailand, India, China and Hong Kong. The number of trainees by countries and year of the two courses is listed in Table 1. Of the 37 participants of the 1st and 2nd RLCP-based training course which is also a UPV postgraduate course all received the NACA/SEAFDEC Diploma in Aquaculture, 30 of whom were also awarded degrees of Master in Aquaculture by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas.

The 3rd RLCC-based training course was entirely funded by allocation of UNDP country IPF of China under TCDC arrangement through the project CPR/82/002. Funding support for the RLCP-based training course has been derived from national, regional and international sources. Details will be provided later in this report.

Except for RLCP, most lecture notes of the RLCP-based training course delivered at the remaining three centres in China, India and Thailand have been compiled. These will be circulated to participating governments for information and consideration.

Table 1. Number of participants by countries and year of the NACA training courses

RLCP has initiated the production of instructional materials in aquaculture for training and extension purposes through video. Tapes available now include ‘Culture of Food Organisms for Fish Food’, ‘Proximate Analysis’ and ‘The Farming of the Tiger Shrimps’.

Invitation letters have been sent to the governments in the region for nomination of candidates to the 4th session of the two NACA training courses. The RLCP-based training course and the RLCC-based training course are scheduled to commence on 21 March 1984 and 16 April 1984 respectively. As FAO fellowships will no longer be available, even if the project is extended, nominating governments have been urged to explore the possibility of obtaining financial support, if required, from bilateral and other multilateral funding sources.

Evaluation of the Training Course

In March 1983, questionnaires were sent out to past graduates to assess the benefits of the NACA training courses. The main areas of interest are:

• to assess the effective utilization of these trained personnel in national aquaculture development programmes

• to obtain feedbacks on possible improvement of the courses and the need to conduct other courses

• to assess the achievements attained by past graduates upon their return to their respective home countries.

Based on the completed questionnaires received to-date the results of the evaluation are summarised as follows:

1. Senior Aquaculturists Training Course

   Results have indicated a high level of application of knowledge and experience obtained during the course. Of the 20 former trainees of the past 2 courses who have replied to the questionnaire eight have been promoted to a higher position after their return. Their new duties range from aquaculture development planning to seed production and extension. All of the former trainees have passed on the knowledge acquired by conducting training courses and seminars in their countries and by writing reports.

   All trainees had high praise for the course and felt that it should be continued to strengthen aquaculture capability in the region. The only complaint was that the work load seemed too heavy but most trainees realized that it was necessary in order to cover all aspects of aquaculture within a one-year period.

2. Integrated Fish Farming Training Course

   Results of the survey have indicated high praise for the course. Although language is a minor problem the common complaint is homesickness.

   Of the 22 former trainees from the past two courses who have responded, 12 have been promoted to more responsible positions upon their return from the course. All trainees have extended the knowledge gained by conducting training courses and seminars, and writing reports.

   Most of the former trainees have been able to apply the knowledge gained in seed production and integrated farming techniques in their countries. A former trainee from Malaysia is involved in the planning of the integrated fish farming component of a large-scale Integrated Agriculture Development Project in his country while new integrated fish farming projects are being proposed in India, Philippines, Thailand and Burma, with direct involvement of past graduates of the training course. One Burmese graduate was able to produce 500,000 carp fingerlings, more than the entire annual production in the country in previous years. A former Thai trainee produced about 2 million fish fry at a fisheries field station which he headed, and was able to breed grass carp for the first time using the method as practised in China.

   However, several former trainees are now working on brackishwater culture and mariculture, and have indicated that the techniques acquired on seed production, pond design and construction, and especially the optimal utilization of land and labour have been useful in the performance of their duties. Two trainees from the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands reported that the lack of freshwater in the island state has deterred the establishment of an integrated fish farming programme. While integrated fish farming could be practised in brackishwater using similar basic principles, nominating governments will be urged to consider the suitability of the training course in meeting their national aquaculture development needs and priorities before submitting nominations.

The assessment of the RLCC training course is contained in a report submitted to the Government of Papua New Guinea by a former trainee from PNG, Mr. Kapa La'a. The report is also representative of the views expressed by most other trainees as reflected by their response to the questionnaires.

8. Research Activities

The highlight of the reporting period is the application of research results of the gouramy culture system in converted rice fields through government-sponsored pilot project.

Based on the encouraging results of adaptive and production-oriented research on the culture of Siamese Gouramy (Trichogaster pectoralis) in disused rice fields, in which the doubling of yield has been achieved in 1981 and repeated in 1982, Thailand has launched a development programme to extend the technology to poor rice-growing areas in the country. Initially, six demonstration farms covering a total area of 128,000 m² in Ayudthaya Province have been established in cooperation with paddy farmers. Because of poor returns from paddy cultivation resulting from heavy infestation of field mice and a disease problem, rice growers have been encouraged by the Government to go into Trichogaster culture integrated with duck farming as an alternate occupation. Incentives such as financial assistance in the form of loan at low interest rate, and technical guidance and supervision are provided by the Government.

The adaptive approach towards production and system-oriented research as outlined in the NACA research programme is a correct one. While basic and applied research on isolated topics have their values in the long term, especially in filling knowledge gaps in a culture system, these could not yield the kind of results which could be taken up for immediate application and large-scale development.

Fisheries administrators in most developing countries, being constantly under pressure to increase food production and improve the living standards of rural population are more inclined to accept this research approach at this early stage of aquaculture development in which time is limiting. When the significance of aquaculture in national development, as demonstrated through increase yield and employment is established, government planners and administrators would be more conductive to consider a greater budget provision for the applied and even basic research in elevating aquaculture development to an industrial level.

For this reason, adaptive and multidisciplinary approach in research is being employed by all lead centres. It is directed at individual fish farming systems with a bias towards increasing production and economic returns per unit area. Each centre concentrates on specific but different culture systems of national and regional importance, thereby sharing the responsibilities of developing aquaculture in the region without affecting its national planning in aquaculture research and development.

The progress of system-oriented research in each lead centre is briefly described below. Further details as presented by the Director of each of the four lead centres appear in Appendices 3, 4, 5 and 6.

RLCC: The research conducted at the China Lead Centre is aimed at establishing a better understanding of the biological processes that are taking place in fish ponds under the Chinese system of integrated farming. This understanding is essential for the transfer and adaptation of the technology, developed over many years of practical experience, in countries with different agro-climatic conditions. On the other hand, as an interim measure and for a more rapid dissemination of information needed for formulating policy for integrated rural development in the region, efforts are also being made to collect data from various integrated fish farms operating in different parts of the country. This is in preparation for the modelling studies of different integrated fish farming systems as practised in China. When developed these models based on production and economic parameters could be adapted in other countries.

The research activity at RLCC is very much strengthened by the pond facilities available at CFRI. Better designed experiments is now possible. The centre has continued with its research on (i) the effects of different livestock manures on fish growth (ii) relation between size and depth of manured ponds and yields and (iii) modelling of integrated fish farming systems as practised in China. While new research topics have been added to the main research projects which are continuing, preliminary reports for these topics have been prepared, including, among others, (a) Characteristics of Integrated Fish Farming in China, (b) Integrated Management of Fish-cum-Duck and its Economics, and (c) Mulberry Cultivation, Sericulture and Fish Farming -- A Man-made Ecosystem. These reports will be used as working papers along with the raw data collected for the Modelling Workshop to be held in Wuxi on 25 October 1983, a day before the 3rd ADCOM Meeting. Reports on the preliminary studies on the effects of these animal manures on fish yield and the investigation of integrated fish farming at Holei Fish Farm have been published as the NACA working paper series NACA/WP/83/9 and NACA/WP/83/10 respectively.

As a result of consultancy provided in July/August 1983 the centre is investigating the use of stable isotope carbon (delta C) as a tool to trace the pathways of carbon from agriculture and livestock wastes which end up in fish flesh through the food web in an integrated fish farming pond. Preliminary results are encouraging, suggesting that delta C can contribute to a better understanding of the pond biological processes needed for transferring and adapting integrated fish farming technology in areas with different agro-climatic conditions. These results have been published as a working paper NACA/WP/83/8.

RLCI: The centre in India has the responsibility of refining the technology for pond culture of carp. This group of fish species, with short food chains and rapid growth rates, plays an important role in the production of low-cost animal protein.

Carp production in village fish ponds or the so-called undrainable ponds which are rain-fed, is a common practice in South Asia and some parts of Southeast Asia. For this reason RLCI is concentrating its research effort on this culture system. Parallel to the multidisciplinary production-oriented research on fry and marketable sized fish, disciplinary research on fish nutrition, fish diseases and genetic improvement is also being conducted. In addition, the use of unconventional sources of energy such as solar pump and windmill to replenish pond water during the dry season, as well as the development of environmental monitoring system for rural fish ponds and economics projects are being investigated. As in other lead centres, this system oriented approach in research will enable the technology to be developed at a more rapid rate with less cost. Preliminary results of some of the studies are contained in Appendix 4.

RLCP: In the joint collaborative programme of SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department and the project, the centre is testing and refining existing shrimp culture techniques and the economically important finfish such as sea bass. These culture techniques are being practised in the Philippines, Thailand, Japan and the Province of Taiwan in China. The main objective of the programme is to generate an appropriate shrimp and finfish (sea bass) technology that can be immediately transferred to the farmers. Research topics within a culture system will be conducted at the same time using the same facilities whenever possible. Besides generating a faster turn over of results this approach is also aimed at reducing cost.

The research activities of the centre started in September 1982. Studies were geared towards the economic evaluation of various culture techniques, extensive, semi-intensive and intensive culture specifically on the optimum stocking density and testing of commercially available feeds. These studies cover both the shrimp and brackishwater finfish culture systems, including:

(a) Shrimp culture system

1. Maturation of tiger shrimp
2. Verification of shrimp larval rearing techniques
3. Experiment of feeding regime of postlarvae
4. Experiment on stocking density
5. Semi-intensive culture
6. Alternate culture of P. monodon and P. indicus/P. Merguiensis
7. Testing of commercially available feed

(b) Seabass culture system

(i) Spawning of seabass (Lates calcarifer)

Research on these topics is progressing well, with some encouraging results, including the success achieved in the spawning of seabass. In the stocking density experiment for shrimp culture, shrimps fed with commercial feeds at 6–10% attained an average yield ranging from 676 kg/ha/4 months to 738 kg/ha/4 months. Although net yield was not significantly different under different stocking rates, the individual size of shrimps was highly variable, ranging from 11 gm to 25 gm for stocking rates of 12/m² and 4/m² respectively.

RLCT: The Thailand Lead Centre has continued to cooperate with small-scale farmers in conducting adaptive and production-oriented research. With the facilities made available at the Nong Sua Fisheries Station properly designed experiments are now possible. The centre is concentrating its research effort on three culture systems.

(a) Trichogaster culture system in converted ricefields

1. Fertilization experiments in nursery ponds
2. Effects of feeding of broodstock in fry production
3. Monitoring of production and economics of Trichogaster-cum-duck farming in the Ayudthaya pilot farms

(b) Macrobrachium culture system

1. Yield experiments on Macrobrachium pond production under different stocking rates
2. The use of residues from salt evaporation pans for hatchery production of prawn post-larvae.

(c) Catfish production system

1. Effects of organic fertilizers on the survival and production of catfish fry
2. Effects of stocking larger catfish fingerlings on yield and economic returns

Encouraging results have been obtained in some studies and these will be reported elsewhere. Experiments on catfish culture have been aborted as a result of acid soil condition in the new pond facilities of the Nong Sua Fisheries Station. Plans are afoot to repeat the studies elsewhere.

As a follow up of the 1982 work on pen culture of Thai carp (Puntius gonionotus) and tilapia in Suphanburi Province, observation studies are being conducted in the Prachinburi Province in cooperation with small-scale farmers as part of an effort to extend this culture system to east Thailand. Results are expected to be available by the end of this year or early next year.

In response to the decisions of the first in-house meeting a brief note on the ‘State of the Art’ for Macrobrachium culture as practised in Thailand has been prepared (NACA/WP/83/7).

9. Information Activity

With the installation of the AQUIS and MINISIS database in the computer at RLCP and RLCT along with training in their use, the project has started to implement its information activity in earnest. Agreement with IDRC on the use of its MINISIS has been formalised. Similar agreement will also be established soon for RLCC and RLCI. The HP3000 computer has just been installed at RLCC while action has been taken to effect the hardware installation at RLCI.

More than 500 data units, including about 100 from ADCP, have been collected from conventional and unconventional publications including Thai literature, reports, aquaculture experiments and commercial operations, and stored in the computer at RLCT and RLCP. Culture systems covered include information on production, breeding, larval rearing and some economics for 12 major genera. More inputs of data units are expected soon from ADCP. The data are collected using the format of the AQUIS Data Input Sheets developed by ADCP. The volume of AQUIS database is also expected to increase rapidly when RLCC and RLCI information programmes come on stream by the end of the year. In the meantime both the centres in India and China have also started to collect numerical data on carp culture and integrated fish farming.

A data base for the storage and retrieval of bibliographic information is also being created. A Thesaurus of Fisheries and Scientific Terms has been stored in the RLCT information unit. A conversion programme for the ASFA database (Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts) is now being tested at RLCT which will allow the titles to be stored in the computer using the MINISIS. Similar bibliographic database is being developed through the MINISIS at RLCP, using literature and publications available at the library of the host institution.

It is expected that the project will soon be in a position to extend limited services to requests for retrieval of aquaculture information. Pooling of information through exchange of tapes among centres will enlarge the database of individual centres to meet requests for information from countries nearest to them.

The information activity of the project is part of the global network of aquaculture information system presently being established and coordinated by ADCP. During the year, ADCP has provided much guidance and technical assistance in launching the project's information activity.

10. Establishment of National Aquaculture Centres (NAC)

A project document has been drafted in consultation with the Philippines fisheries authority for the establishment of PNAC at the Pagbilao Brackishwater Demonstration and Training Centre. The matter is being considered by the national authority for submission to UNDP for support under the national IPF. Meanwhile, ad hoc assistance is being provided.

Consultation on the proposal for the establishment of a Thailand national aquaculture centre (TNAC) for integrated fish farming is in the final stage. It is a TCDC proposal involving the authorities in China and Thailand. A decision is expected soon.

The proposal to establish a Malaysia NAC has been shelved temporarily until such time when funding situation improves and appropriate technology develops. However, in order to meet the requirement of establishing a computerised information unit for participation in the NACA-ADCP information network, a project proposal has been submitted to the fisheries authority for consideration and follow-up action.

Consultation with Indonesia on setting up a NAC is in progress while Bangladesh has indicated its need to establish one at Mymensingh in 1986.

11. Relations with Other Organizations/Agencies

The project has expanded its collaboration with organizations and agencies sharing common objectives. This has achieved encouraging results, which are elaborated in the later section on project extension and future funding.

12. Other Activities

Newsletter

The project has published and circulated 3 issues of NACA newsletter since May 1982. The 4th issue is being prepared and will be published before the third ADCOM Meeting.

Third ADCOM Meeting and TPR

The third ADCOM Meeting and TPR, to be hosted by the Government of the People's Republic of China will be held on 26–28 October 1983 and 29 October 1983 respectively at the Taihu Hotel, Wuxi. A 10-day study tour of aquaculture establishments with a bias towards integrated fish farming after the TPR has been organized for the benefit of participants of the meetings by the Chinese Government authorities. Asian government representatives and directors of lead centres as well as UPV representative will be sponsored by IDRC through an arrangement with RLCC.

13. Project Extension and Future Funding

In view of the uncertainty of the extension and future funding of the project beyond December 1983, concerted efforts from concerned quarters have been directed at generating core funding as well as other funding support much needed for the implementation and strengthening of its major activities, especially the training activity. However, it may be appropriate at this juncture to present some information on the amount and source of other financial support during 1981–83. These appear in Appendix 2.

It will be noted that while host governments contributions of buildings, facilities and personnel are in kind, with China and India having incurred expenditure amounting to $4,243,000 for construction of new institutions, total cash contribution from all other sources amounted to $700,070. The centre in China was specifically built by the Chinese Government for participation in the Network activities.

The progress of action taken for the extension and funding of the project is summarised below.

1. FAO-UNDP Consultations

   During the discussions held in early 1983 between FAO and UNDP on the consequences of the UNDP overall funding problems to the FAO/UNDP Inter-country Programme for Asia and the Pacific (1982–1986), it has been determined that NACA is “to be considered as high priority for additional IPF inputs in view of successful activities.….”, and that savings within the FAO regional programme be explored to support the project beyond December 1983. Internal discussions within FAO on the matter and further consultation with UNDP are in progress. The result will be reported by the representatives of FAO and UNDP at the ADCOM Meeting and TPR.

2. FAO/Government Cooperative Programme

   In addition to the possible funding through within-programme savings, alternative sources of funding the project are also being explored. A project proposal on “Assistance to the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia (NACA)” has been prepared by FAO for the possible consideration of the Governments of Norway, the Netherlands, Japan and Australia, as well as SIDA and DANIDA. The proposal is receiving internal processing before submission to cooperative governments. The result of this action will also be reported by the FAO representative at the meeting.

   FAO through ADCP has also held preliminary discussions with the Governments of Japan and Norway on possible funding support of NACA and other regional aquaculture projects.

3. Contributions from other Regional and International Agencies

   Although core funding is essential in ensuring the extension of the project, it is insufficient to implement effectively the three major activities of NACA, especially in training. Implementation of activities is the major concern of the Network. Efforts are being made to strengthen these activities through cooperation with other agencies in achieving common goals. Preliminary results of these efforts are as follows:

   1. SEAFDEC

      Under the SEAFDEC Fellowship Programme, the Aquaculture Department (RLCP host institution) has agreed to offer 5 fellowships to nationals of SEAFDEC Member Countries to participate in the 1984/85 session of the one-year Training Course for Senior Aquaculturists. As illustrated in Appendix 2 total cash contribution of SEAFDEC-AQD todate is $513,070.

   2. IDRC

      There is a growing cooperation with IDRC in NACA activities. Besides the donation and installation of the MINISIS package at RLCT and RLCP along with training on its use for storage and retrieval of bibliographic information, IDRC has provided 3 fellowships amounting to $36,000 for the RLCP-based training course which is now in progress. It has also agreed to provide the MINISIS to RLCC and RLCI after the installation of HP3000 computer at these centres.

      Discussion with IDRC on cooperative support in training is in the final stage. A proposal is being considered in which IDRC would provide 5 fellowships annually for 2 years to selected candidates from Asian countries to participate in the RLCC integrated fish farming training course. IDRC will also be providing funding support to enable representatives of governments, lead centre directors and UPV representative to participate in the 10-day study tour of integrated fish farming establishments in China soon after the ADCOM Meeting.

   3. British Commonwealth Secretariat

      An understanding has been reached between FAO and the British Commonwealth Secretariat in which the latter will consider requests for fellowship grants from Commonwealth Countries in the region. These grants will be provided under the Commonwealth Fund and Technical Cooperation (CFTC). Member governments wishing to nominate candidates to the 1984/85 session RLCP-based training course have been advised to apply through their national points of contact.

   4. World Bank

      The World Bank through its funded project in Bangladesh has offered 2 fellowships for Bangladesh nationals to participate in the 1984 Training Course in Integrated Fish Farming at RLCC. Its request to fund an Egyptian national to attend the same course would be considered if vacancies exist.

   5. Asian Development Bank (ADB)

      Several discussions were held with ADB on collaborative support in the development of manpower needed to ensure investment projects on aquaculture be implemented effectively. The funding support of US$750,000 was intended to cover the cost of training 60 senior aquaculturists during the 3-year period commencing 1984. Although the earlier discussions were encouraging, its abrupt change in its response to collaboration without definite reason was baffling. It is assumed that the reason is not technical. The matter will be pursued again when the political situation in ADB management is more conducive.

4. Contribution from Participating Governments

   As a follow up to the recommendation of the Advisory Committee and the Tripartite Review, all participating governments have been requested through their representatives in the Committee to consider the possibility of contributing to the operating costs of the Network, in order to attract greater support from donor agencies. Discussions on the matter were also held with some governments. Though realizing the importance of the project in contributing to their aquaculture development programmes, some governments have cited funding constraints as the main obstacles in their contribution to the regional budget of the Network. These constraints include the drastic cut-backs in the Country IPF. Others have responded positively though at different levels, including suggestions of:

   • contributing to the NACA budget an amount equivalent to a few consultant man-months from Country IPF, subject to the approval of concerned national authority

   • increasing operating cost, manpower and facilities for lead centres activities by host governments

   • designating national institutions as NACA National Aquaculture Centre with contribution to NACA to be incorporated into the proposed project budget

   • funding their representatives to the ADCOM Meeting and TPR.

   The matter will be further discussed at the Third ADCOM Meeting and TPR.

   During the course of discussions, some government officials have expressed that it is premature to consider the setting up of a self-supporting mechanism, though the importance of which is recognised.

III. MAJOR PROBLEMS

Shortage of funds and manpower has been the major problem faced by the project since it started operation, and it has become more acute with the expanded activities of the project. The problems have been further compounded by the uncertainty of continued UNDP catalytic funding for the period of time required for the Network to yield projected results.

It should be reiterated that the project is not a small one. It comprises four large regional centres, two of which are newly constructed. Much concerted efforts have been taken to formulate plan and implement the project. Despite funding and manpower constraints the rapid progress made within the short period speaks much for the support provided by host governments and host institutions. Instead of strengthening the project with increase inputs, it is now facing the uncertainty of continuing with its activities, especially when it is at the stage of take-off. The confidence and enthusiasm of all concerned have been dampened. Government officials of the People's Republic of China have expressed deep concern on the non-availability of fellowship funds for the training course in 1984 and subsequent years, for which facilities have been specifically built at high cost to cater to the needs of developing countries in the region. India has also established a large aquaculture centre with the aim of serving national and regional needs, with the centre phasing into the lead centre programme as incorporated in the project document IND/75/31. Similarly, aquaculture institutions have been established in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal with possible participation in the project activities as National Aquaculture Centres.

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ACTIONS

In view of the information given above the future course of actions is apparent. However, these actions will be guided by the recommendations of the Third Advisory Committee Meeting and the Triparite Review for which this report is prepared. Generally, the proposed actions are as follows:

1. NACA Activities

Lead centres will continue to expand the implementation of NACA activities of research, training and information while further actions will be taken to generate collaborative funding support to strengthen these activities. As the training activity has been routinised major efforts will be directed at technology and information development.

2. Project Extension and Future Funding

The extension of the project beyond December 1983 is still uncertain. Should it be extended, a three-year period to the end of 1986 is proposed. NACA activities are such that a longer time frame is required to achieve projected results. During the period, a self-supporting mechanism should be established by participating governments to finance the operating cost of NACA, supplemented, if necessary, by donor support so that the Network could serve on a continuing and sustained basis for the development of aquaculture in the region. Actions to be taken will depend on the outcome of present efforts and the recommendations of the ADCOM Meeting and Tripartite Review.

3. Establishment of NACA Secretariat

With the setting up of a self-supporting mechanism, there will be a need to establish a Secretariat to facilitate the activities of NACA and manage government and donor inputs. As the host institutions are gradually taking on the leadership in implementing the NACA activities for the benefit of the region, it is proposed that a multidisciplinary nucleus of experts with adequate supportive staff be centralised at the Secretariat to provide technical assistance to both the host and non-host countries in the region.

Appendix 1

Project budget covering UNDP Contribution
(in U.S.$)

Region:
Project Title: Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia (NACA)
Project No.: RAS/76/003/F/01/12

Appendix 2

Contribution from host governments/host institutions
and other organizations/agencies

(a) Contributions from host governments/host institutions

(b) Fellowships from other organizations/agencies