NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON AQUACULTURE ENGINEERING
1. BACKGROUND
Aquaculture is an old industry in the Philippines. In spite of its long existence, however, it has not enjoyed the benefits of engineering technology. This deficiency is so pronounced that it has been the cause of many failures in the industry. It is only very recently that the contribution of engineering knowledge is beginning to be felt in aquafarming with very positive results.
One reason for the neglect in utilizing engineering know-how in the aquaculture industry is the dearth of engineers who are knowledgeable and with practical experience in the industry. It is only with the accelerated expansion and modernization of aquaculture techniques that a real need for engineering technology was badly felt. Also, engineers specialized in other fields began to have interest on aquaculture problems. This is a welcome development and it is expected to further expand in the future.
This underscores the need for engineers interested or actually engaged in aquaculture to get together and consult with each other. An assessment has to be done on the state of knowledge on the subject, the problems faced and possible programmes for future studies or activities.
2. OBJECTIVES
To assess the present state of knowledge on the utilization of engineering in the aquaculture industry;
To identify the problem areas in this and related fields that need urgent solution; and
To recommend future programmes of work or activities for the solution of present problems as well as potential problems with the further development of the industry.
3. PROGRAMME
3.1 Sponsoring agencies
The SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department hosted and sponsored this Consultation. Close cooperation was rendered by the FAO/UNDP South China Sea Fisheries Development and Coordinating Programme in implementing this Consultative Meeting.
3.2 Dates, place and duration
The Consultative Meeting was held at the SEAFDEC/AQD Complex at Tigbauan, Iloilo during the period from 2–5 October 1985. Three days were used for the meeting proper and one day for field tour and demonstration.
3.3 Participation
Individuals with engineering background or degrees who have engaged or are now actively in work on some aspect of aquaculture engineering were invited to this consultation.
Initially, a comprehensive listing of prospective participants was made by the secretariat formed by the sponsoring agency. Invitations were sent to the prospective participants for participation to this consultation.
Twenty five (25) participants, 10 observers and three consultants participated in this meeting. The host agency provided the needed secretariat for the meeting.
4. RESULTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
4.1 Contributed papers
The participants contributed 20 working papers which were read and discussed during the consultative meeting. The contents of these papers were varied but can easily be classified under the following headings:
Layout and design of pond systems (5 papers);
Layout and design of pen and cage systems (3 papers);
Layout and design of tanks and other land-based systems (2 papers);
Equipment, materials and methods in construction and management (8 papers); and
Modification of aquaculture environment (2 papers).
The papers were presented in summary form by the contributing participants and thereafter, were open for discussion. It is noted that because of the various topics presented, lively discussion and exchange of ideas took place after the presentation of the papers.
4.2 Report of working papers
As suggested from the contributed papers, the participants were divided into four working groups or panels, namely:
Working group I. — Layout and design of aquaculture projects: pond systems;
Working group II. — Layout and design of aquaculture system: pen and cage systems;
Working group III. — Layout and design of aquaculture projects: tanks and other land-based systems; and
Working group IV. — Equipment, materials and methods in construction and management.
The working groups then held separate sessions and undertook extensive discussions on their assigned subjects. For the sake of uniformity, each group prepared a summary of their discussions under the following headings:
State of the art
Problems
Recommendations
The summaries of the results of the work of the four working groups are given in Part III of this report.
4.3 Field observations and tour
The last day of the meeting was devoted to a guided tour of the facilities of SEAFDEC/AQD Tigbauan Research Station and to the Leganes Research Station both in Iloilo province. In this field visits particular attention were given to the engineering structures and the engineering activities of the Department.
5. OTHER MATTERS
The Consultative Meeting received remarks and advice from the Chief of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, the President of the Philippine Federation of Aquaculturists and the meeting consultants (Appendix 4).
The meeting moved and unanimously approved resolutions expressing gratitude to the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department for sponsoring the meeting; FAO/UNDP South China Sea Programme for its guidance.
The participants of the Consultative Meeting decided to organize themselves into an organization named the Society of Aquaculture Engineers of the Philippines. The Society elected the initial office-holders for a 2-year term. Committees to write the Society's constitution and by-laws were designated and the participants to the meeting compose the charter members of the society.
