Annex XXVI
PROGRAMME OF WORK OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL
NETWORK OF AQUACULTURE CENTRES IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
(1990–1994)

I. INTRODUCTION

This Programme of Work was endorsed by the NACA Provisional Governing Council at its Third Meeting held in Bangkok on 10–12 January 1989. It consists of four programme activities: (a) Planning, Coordination and Programme Management; (b) Training of Technical Personnel; (c) Applied Research for the Improvement and Development of Farming Systems; and (d) Collection and Dissemination of Data and Information. Activities under each programme component are described and an estimate of funding requirements for the various programmes is presented.

The Second Provisional Governing Council (PGC) Meeting of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia and the Pacific (NACA) held in Bangkok, Thailand, 12–15 January 1988, soon after the adoption of an agreement to set up NACA as an intergovernmental body at a Conference of Plenipotentiaries, considered in detail the necessary measures for placing NACA on a permanent and sound financial footing. The need for the mobilization of support from different governments and international and other donor agencies to continue the various field programmes was highlighted at the meeting. The Council recommended that early action should be initiated in order to ensure the smooth transition of NACA, from an FAO/UNDP project to an intergovernmental body by January 1990. As a first step in this direction, the Meeting appointed a small Working Group composed of Mr. W.M.A. Wijeratna Banda (Sri Lanka), Mrs. Bung-orn Saisithi (Thailand) and Dr. Christopher Lee (Hongkong) with the following Terms of Reference:

1. Identify the long term and short term activities that NACA will have to undertake within a time frame of about ten years, in order to fulfill its objectives detailed in the Agreement of its establishment as an intergovernmental institution.

2. Taking into account other initiatives in the region, formulate a suitable plan of action and appropriate strategies for implementation of the required activities.

3. Prepare on the basis of (1) and (2) above a short-term programme of work, together with a detailed budget for consideration of the Council and other donor agencies.

4. Suggest ways and means of mobilizing the resources needed to finance the plan of action in the long and short term.

The Working Group was empowered to co-opt additional members as required, and Dr. T.V.R. Pillay, former Programme Leader of ADCP (Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme) was requested to serve as Adviser to the Group. The Working Group met in Bangkok from 29 September to 4 October, together with three co-opted members, viz. Dr. Kitjar Jaiyen (National Inland Fisheries Institute/NACA Regional Lead Centre in Thailand), Mr. Michael New (ASEAN-EEC Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme) and Mr. Imre Csavas (FAO Regional Office). The following Five-Year Programme of Work prepared by the Group has been approved and endorsed by the Provisional Governing Council of NACA at its Third Meeting held in Bangkok on 10– 13 January 1989.

II. NACA AND ITS OBJECTIVES

The Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia (NACA) is an intergovernmental body established by the participating governments of Asia and the Pacific Region to assist them in expanding aquaculture for increased production of living aquatic resources (especially fish and shellfish), improvement of rural income and employment, diversification of rural farm production and enhancing foreign exchange earnings and savings. These objectives are sought to be achieved through action programmes implemented by a network of regional lead centres closely linked to a number of national centres in the participating countries. The rationale of the network is that sharing responsibilities among institutions in the region is probably the only practical and cost-effective means available at present for solving the many common problems that the countries of the region face in modernizing and expanding aquaculture. This approach is in line with the policy of the participating governments to promote regional self-reliance through technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC). It is also necessitated by the scarcity of external support presently available from donor agencies, and the need to conserve and utilize this support to the best advantage.

NACA originated as an FAO/UNDP regional project and became operational in 1980. Through a network of four regional lead centres established in China, India, Philippines and Thailand and the project headquarters in Bangkok, the project has organized (a) graduate-level courses for training senior aquaculturists and several short-term training courses for technicians; (b) applied research on selected farming systems of importance in the region and (c) initiated a system for the collection, processing and exchange of information relevant to aquaculture development. NACA also initiated an action programme for the diagnosis and control of the spread of the epizootic disease that has caused serious fish mortality in some countries of the region. The UNDP/FAO Regional Sea-farming Development and Demonstration Project, for the purpose of inter-country transfer of seafarming technology and establishment of seafarming development management and information systems, that started operation in 1987, is also presently executed through NACA. Support Services have also been provided to a number of UNDP/FAO as well as FAO/TCP projects in the region. Thus during the last eight years of its existence, NACA became the main UNDP/FAO regional field mechanism for aquaculture development in Asia. Graduates of its training programme occupy responsible positions relating to aquaculture development in the countries of the region. Along with this, cooperative efforts in technology transfer and improvement, as well as exchange of expertise and information, are also steadily increasing.

Recognizing the momentum created, and the need to continue and intensify it, to achieve the goal of elevating aquaculture to the level of a major economic activity, comparable to agriculture and animal husbandry, the governments of the region decided to establish NACA as an autonomous intergovernmental body, after the termination of the UNDP/FAO NACA project by the end of 1989. During the interim period, a provisional governing council, composed of representatives of the participating governments, provides the necessary guidance in establishing NACA as an effective regional organization.

III. POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

1. Direction of Short and Long Term Activities

The change of status of NACA from that of an FAO-executed project to an autonomous inter-governmental body, calls for major changes in its operational strategy. The core activities such as technical advice and information exchange and over-all administration and coordination shall be financed mainly by the obligatory contributions of the participating governments. The Governing Council becomes the final authority for policy and administrative decisions, and the priorities and mode of operation are determined independently by them. It can obtain the best technical advice available on programmes and policies from a Technical Advisory Committee appointed by them. NACA will generate revenues by provision of services against payment, and obtain donations and other forms of support compatible with its status and objectives. It will enter into agreements with donor governments, organizations and institutions for cooperation or participation in its activities. These provisions make it possible for NACA to continue as the focal point for implementation of multilaterally and bilaterally funded regional and national projects.

The Provisional Governing Council meetings from 1986 onwards, and the personal consultations of NACA staff with government representatives since then, have confirmed that training of manpower, technology improvements through applied research, technology transfer and information exchange continue to be the major areas of priority for regional cooperation. The governments wish these activities to be strengthened, and carried out with assurance of funding for the required periods of time. As they are oriented to meeting the continuing requirements of the countries and some of them take long periods of time to show applicable results, it is necessary to carry out the work without interruption, caused by uncertainties of funding.

While the above activities are expected to remain of high priority in the short term and medium term up to two decades or more, some changes in NACA's direction and activities will become necessary in the longer term. As national capabilities and facilities increase and the magnitude of aquaculture reaches levels that attract greater public and private sector attention, NACA may have to consider phasing out some of its present activities and take on additional tasks. Much of the short-term regional training courses can be phased out and even the needs of longer-term training, especially of smaller countries can probably be met by arrangements with the larger countries of the region, when the facilities and trained manpower of their institutions are adequately expanded. Cooperative research will have to be continued, but can be restricted to problems of a predominantly regional nature, that cannot be solved without regional cooperation. Information exchange is likely to become a much more important item of NACA responsibilities. NACA may also be required to take an active role in promoting cooperation among its members in regulating aquaculture production in the region according to market requirements, and to encourage the development and promotion of aquaculture products. A continuing regional mechanism like NACA may also be required to assist in formulating and monitoring international control measures to prevent the occurrence and spread of communicable diseases. It could play a valuable role in facilitating regional cooperation in the production and distribution of aquacultural inputs, including equipment and supplies. It is quite conceivable that the intergovernmental nature of NACA makes it possible to facilitate foreign investment and joint ventures on a bilateral or multilateral basis. The promulgation of harmonized legislation to enable rational development of the aquaculture sector in the countries of the region and the collection and analysis of the data required for this purpose would also be an area of special interest to NACA in the long term. Thus, it would appear that NACA can be expected to have an important and continuing role to play in the development and management of aquaculture even after it has become a well-established industry in the region.

2. Financing Policies

NACA is intended to become fully self-supporting and all its functions carried out eventually with resources contributed by the member governments. This can be expected to become possible when the aquaculture sector in the region has achieved the level of importance envisaged in national economies. This expectation is based on the fact that the scales of contribution proposed at present, are based on GDP and the magnitude of fisheries production. It will therefore be logical to believe that NACA could become a fully self-supporting body eventually. However, in the near term it would require external support to carry out many of its field programmes. Nevertheless even in the short term, NACA has to make every effort to adjust the size of its core establishment to the contributions it can get from the member governments in cash or kind. Donor governments and agencies will be approached only to fund specific programmes or sub-programmes that they may be interested in. Such projects will naturally be time-bound and cannot be counted on as a permanent source of support.

A number of ways shall be pursued for obtaining external funding support. The first is outright donations and revenue obtained for provision of specific services (mentioned in the Agreement for establishment of NACA). While these sources should be pursued, there remains the uncertainty about the magnitude and timeliness of such financing. There may also be problems in reconciling offers and requests for services with the objectives of NACA and its work programme. It is, however, likely that several regional projects of international agencies like UNDP, FAO, World and Regional Banks and bilateral agencies, may fall within the field of interest and competence of NACA. It will therefore offer to undertake the responsibility of implementing such projects. These projects can be expected to be those of priority in NACA's own programme, and so their implementation would indirectly result in the implementation of its own programmes. Another means is to find a consortium of donor agencies that will either (a) share the total funding requirements for the technical programmes on an agreed basis or (b) each donor agrees to fund one or more selected programmes of interest to it. These approaches are not exclusive of each other and options should be kept open for mobilizing necessary funds.

Raising external support is a vital need for NACA to enable it to continue as an effective mechanism management. In order to facilitate fund-raising, the international donor community as well as scientific community will be familiarized with NACA and its activities. To achieve the dual purpose of carrying out the important task of mobilizing international expertise in aquaculture planning, and at the same time projecting itself to be known a little better by the scientific and donor communities, as well as the private and public sector agencies. NACA will hold an international conference on aquaculture. The conference will be on “Aquaculture Today and its Future Directions”. It will undertake a critical analysis of the present state of aquaculture technologies and developmental trends and trace the needs of aquaculture for the remaining part of this century and beyond. The Conference can be organized to discuss also some of the issues that have become important in recent years and highly relevant to NACA's own programme strategies. Some of the more important issues include the following:

1. Priority of technical research versus nonbiotechnical research.

2. Adequacy or otherwise, of aquaculture technologies available in Asia.

3. Importance of small-scale versus large-scale aquaculture in development programmes, and how small is small-scale.

4. What are low-valued aquaculture species? Is a fish that feeds on low trophic levels in nature necessarily a low-valued fish in the market place? Should the number of cultivated species be increased or R and D work limited to a smaller number of species?

5. What are the culture systems that are likely to become more important in the future, and what type of research support should be organized for their development?

6. What priorities should be given to genetic research in tropical aquaculture?

7. Can research on culture of high-valued species be left to the private sector?

8. Are there any clash of priorities of donor agencies with those of recipient countries in deciding on aid programmes?

9. What are the benefits to be derived in aquaculture research and development from close association with agriculture and animal husbandry institutions?

10. What practical measures can be taken to prevent adverse environmental effect of aquaculture, without unduly affecting development?

11. When and how far can national research and training replace international efforts in these fields?

12. What measures are needed to harmonize culture and capture fishery development efforts.

Each of these has direct relevance to NACA's work programmes and expert views on these shall be utilized in orienting its long and short term action programmes. Organizing the conference along with a trade exposition of equipment and supplies will also earn for NACA some revenue which it can use for programme support.

Many of the potential donor agencies interested in aquaculture development in the region are already involved in supporting projects that fall within the areas of concentration selected by NACA, although there may be differences in content and orientation. Superficially they may look the same or similar, and this may lead to the conclusion that there is duplication of effort. Duplication has its value under certain circumstances; nevertheless under existing constraints of scarce resources, a conscious effort to avoid duplication is warranted. Where duplication is unavoidable special efforts will be needed to bring about close cooperation to achieve best results.

3. Formulation of the Work Programme

In pursuance of this policy described above, consultations were held by NACA Secretariat with the following agencies and institutions and their programmes of work studied, before outlining the programme of work for NACA.

1. Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC) and its Aquaculture Department.

2. International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources and Management (ICLARM).

3. Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Division of Agriculture and Food Engineering.

4. International Development Research Centre (IDRC) through its Regional Office in Singapore.

5. SIDA/FAO Bay of Bengal Programme.

6. ASEAN-EEC Asian Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (AADCP).

7. Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. at its Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

8. Interim Committee for Coordination of Investigations of the Lower Mekong Basin, ESCAP.

This work programme detailed in this document following the considerations indicated above, and consultations with officials of several member governments. There are two farming systems selected for applied research, which appear on the programme of studies of other institutions in the region. One is on shrimp culture technologies which is a priority subject in SEAFDEC investigations. Not only are the orientation and nature of studies proposed by NACA different, but they are expected to be carried out through SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department which is a Regional Lead Centre of NACA. As such the work will be fully harmonized with SEAFDEC's and in essence will become one.

The other apparent duplication may be studies on integrated fish culture that is on the programmes of work of ICLARM, for implementation primarily through AIT. NACA has been involved in research and training in this field from its inception, and the main focus of its efforts will be the scientific understanding of livestock-crop-fish integrated farming practised in China for centuries and the adaptation of the methods for application in other countries. ICLARM proposes to investigate rice-based systems in Asia and maize-based systems in Africa, although “Subsystem interactions in crop-livestock-fish systems” are also included as an area for research (see ICLARM Five-Year Plan. Part 1, 1988). Although the exact details of the investigations are not yet available, it is expected that these can be made complementary to each other.

The type of personnel that NACA can obtain for programme implementation has been a major consideration in programme formulation. Obviously NACA's role in regional activities calls for senior staff with high competence and experience. Job opportunities in the aquaculture sector at present are far from few, and the salary scales that NACA can offer are not overly attractive for such personnel. Participating governments will make every effort to facilitate and provide incentives for their senior personnel to work in NACA, on secondment or on direct recruitment.

IV. FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME OF WORK

A five-year programme of work formulated on the basis of the considerations above, personal consultations of NACA Secretariat, and the reports of the Research and Training Group Meetings in June 1986 (see Report of the First Provisional Governing Council Meeting of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia, Surabaya, Indonesia, 1987) is summarized below. Brief description of the items and rough budget requirements for each follows. It has to be pointed out that only work on the topics that can be expected to be carried out during the 5-year period have been selected from the comprehensive list of topics suggested by the Working Group on research in 1986. If adequate funds, personnel and facilities become available the research programme can be expanded at a later date.

1. Programme Summary

1. Planning, Coordination and Programme Management

   1. Secretariat services to the Governing Council and the Technical Advisory Committee of NACA.

   2. Completion of the establishment of national centres and designation of national liaison officers.

   3. Promoting and assisting national aquaculture planning in the region.

   4. Organizing a regional conference on the present state and future development of aquaculture (Aquaculture Today and its Future Directions).

   5. Assistance in implementing the recommendations of the Conference by incorporating them in national and regional development programmes.

   6. Assistance in formulating and in implementing pilot aquaculture projects aimed at improving the family income and standard of living of disadvantaged sections of rural populations, especially women and marginal farmers.

   7. Management of the Network including implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its programmes.

   8. Fund-raising and liaison with donor agencies and with other organizations involved in aquaculture development.

2. Training of Technical Personnel

   1. Continuation of the senior-level postgraduate training - Completion of four courses, training about 80 candidates.

   2. Continuation of the technician-level training on integrated fish farming - completion of four courses, training 80 candidates.

   3. Training course on fish diseases - Completion of two courses, training 24 post graduates.

   4. Ad-hoc short-term training courses for technology transfer - ten courses (two each year), training 245 candidates.

   5. Secondment of junior scientists for research training in the Regional Lead Centres and associated National Centres. Secondment of some 30 scientists is envisaged during the period.

   6. Assistance for the establishment of Centres of Excellence in institutions of higher learning for major disciplines related to aquaculture sciences.

   7. Assistance to National Centres/member governments in the organization and implementation of extension training, including the preparation of manuals and other training materials.

3. Applied Research for Improvement and Development of Farming Systems

   1. Improvement of cost-effectiveness and applicability of selected farming systems under varied conditions in the region through interdisciplinary research and field testing in different countries.

   2. Participation in other research networks, in order to complement their activities, and to generate the required basic data for NACA's research programmes.

   3. Organization of the collection of farm performance data for selected farming systems and formulation of appropriate farm management measures on the basis of such data.

   4. Development and upgrading of diagnostic capabilities in the countries of the region for the detection and control of major communicable diseases of cultured species, especially those of regional importance. Initial emphasis will be given on the epizootic ulcerative disease syndrome that has spread to a number of countries.

   5. Assistance to participating governments in undertaking studies on the socio-economic and environmental aspects of aquaculture development programmes, particularly in inland and coastal rural areas.

4. Collection and Dissemination of Data and Information

   1. Collection and compilation of farm performance data for studies on farm management and for transfer of technologies.

   2. Preparation and distribution of manuals and audio-visual material for training and extension purposes.

   3. Serving as a clearing house for information on various aspects of aquaculture development in the region.

   4. Facilitate easy exchange of information within Network, through publication of Newsletters, bulletins and working papers, and through other media.

2. Programme Activities

a. Planning, Coordination and Programme Management

The first five years of the intergovernmental NACA will be the period of its transition from a UNDP/FAO project to an autonomous body. During this period, follow-up actions relating to membership, ratification of agreements, appointment of the coordinator and designation of national liaison officers, establishment of administrative and financial procedures, servicing of the Governing Council and Technical Advisory Committee meetings, arrangements for regular auditing of accounts, recruitment of core staff and above all fund-raising for programme activities, will involve considerable amount of effort and staff time. A high level of leadership and organizational ability will be essential to carry out these functions successfully. It has been proved beyond any doubt from several years of experience in the management of agricultural research networks that efficient leadership is the key to the success of networks.

Improved planning of aquaculture and advice and assistance to countries for national and project planning are two other areas for NACA's attention. Assistance for country-level aquaculture planning that was being offered to countries from 1979 through NACA's parent Programme (UNDP/FAO Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme) is no longer available. It was to be eventually decentralized to the regional level when the regional networks build up their capabilities. This function will be undertaken by NACA for the Asia-Pacific region; it could be one of the core programmes of the future. This would obviously need experienced leadership and additional expertise, from both within and outside the region.

The organization and running of the Conference on “Aquaculture Today and its Future Directors” (proposed on page 110) will require additional expertise and resources. The findings of the Conference will be incorporated in NACA's programme by the Technical Advisory Committee and NACA Secretariat.

Although NACA's objectives relate to development of aquaculture in the region at all levels, it has given special emphasis to the development of small-scale farming to benefit the poorer sections of rural populations, and greater involvements of women in aquaculture production. Traditionally a good part of aquaculture in many Asian countries concerned small farmer operations and women are active workers in these farms. NACA will undertake a study to characterize and quantify the benefits derived by these target groups. Based on the findings of the study, assistance will be offered to the participating countries, if necessary, to formulate and implement suitable projects to enhance or improve the benefits derived by these groups. Where it is feasible, such projects can be planned as part of the over-all community development programmes so that improvements in the standard of living and quality of life of the concerned groups can more easily be recognized.

The basic coordinating and management activities will be carried out by the core professional staff of NACA, which will consist of a Coordinator and four specialists.

The additional advisory support and assistance which will be needed during the initial period of operation of the intergovernmental NACA, especially in activities related to planning, negotiations with governments and agencies, fund-raising and organizing of the conference, has to be sought from external sources. The need to have a continued association with UNDP that has sponsored the establishment of the Network, has been emphasized by successive meetings of the Provisional Governing Council. It was therefore considered appropriate to request UNDP for the necessary support in this regard.

b. Training of Technical Personnel

Though many countries of Asia have succeeded in increasing aquaculture production in recent years, the industry is greatly handicapped by the lack of appropriately trained and experienced manpower. This constraint is particularly evident at the technician/extension level and middle management level in government agencies and private sector enterprises. The flow of, and successful utilization of investment in the aquaculture sector will depend largely on the availability of suitable personnel.

Some national universities in the region have enlarged the aquaculture content of their fisheries courses and even started specialized degree courses in aquaculture, but due to inherent problems relating to facilities, funds, time and staff, they have not been able to offer the multidisciplinary practice-oriented training in the different types of aquaculture adopted in the region. Recognizing this NACA initiated its multidisciplinary Senior Aquaculture Training Course (recognized as equivalent or superior to Master's degree courses of universities), and a short-term technician-level course in integrated farming in 1981. Todate a total of 137 candidates have successfully undergone the senior-level course, and almost all of them are presently employed in work relating to aquaculture development in the participating countries. The course in integrated fish farming held in China was attended by a total of 188 candidates, which included also 35 candidates from Africa/Middle East and eight from Latin American countries. Besides these regular institutionalized courses, a number of ad hoc courses were also organized on topics which included shrimp hatchery management, freshwater prawn seed production, cage culture of marine finfish, mass production of fish seed, socio-economics and environmental monitoring related to epizootic ulcerative syndrome in fish. The 167 candidates who underwent these courses so far, have enhanced the capabilities of organizations concerned with aquaculture development and research in Asian countries.

As a part of the Fish Disease Programme organized by NACA to control the epizootic ulcerative disease, an eight-month postgraduate course on fish disease diagnostics was started in July 1988 in the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia with nine candidates. Qualified candidates can apply for the regular postgraduate programme of the University and obtain credit for the Master's degree and complete the studies after fulfilling the research requirements.

While continued training and retraining are essential elements in the management of any sector, the needs are much more urgent in an emerging industry like aquaculture where rapid progress is taking place both in technology development and production. Based on a preliminary survey of technical manpower requirements undertaken jointly with IDRC in 1986 (See IDRC Report: Aquaculture Training needs in Developing Asia, 1987), the future requirements of the personnel to be trained at the senior level was estimated to be 380 and the technician level 1121, besides 615 specialists in the fields of aquaculture engineering, fish health, nutrition and feed technology and genetics. The number of technicians to be trained in integrated farming alone was estimated to be 253. Though the annual requirements are not determined, the above figures clearly indicate the high magnitude of the projected manpower needs and the need for continuing and strengthening NACA's training programme, which has already made a significant impact on development activities in the sector.

(i) Approach and programme structure

The original approach to NACA's training Activities has been to base training on the actual job requirements of the national core personnel of aquaculture development programmes in the member countries. The long-term senior-level training was meant to equip the candidates to perform the functions of a field manager of development programmes, described as those of a district aquaculture or a senior aquaculturist. The curriculum offered a broad-based multidisciplinary training, with considerable bias towards practical applications of technologies and field work. The training course on integrated fish farming was meant to train senior aquaculture technicians in integrating crop and livestock farming with fish culture, as widely practised in China. It is proposed to continue these two courses during the next 5-year period, with possible strengthening of facilities and instructional staff.

Till now all the candidates trained in NACA have been public sector employees. Though there is provision for the governments to nominate private sector employees, priority has especially been given to proper training of government officials. Some of these trained officials have eventually joined the private sector and thus helped private enterprises in aquaculture production. It will obviously be much more satisfactory to include a certain percentage of private sector candidates in courses that will benefit them. Initially tuition can be offered free, if the candidates are able to bear the living and travel costs.

So far NACA has offered free tuition to all trainees and negotiated necessary scholarships to meet other training costs. However, in the long term the training programme has to become self-supporting, and so consideration has to be given to charging tuition fees and leaving the responsibility for finding scholarships or other forms of financial support to the nominating agencies or the candidates themselves.

Since the senior-level training is a condensed intensive course of post-graduate standard and was found to be acceptable for the award of a Master's degree, qualified trainees attending this course are concurrently registered in the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Through appropriate arrangements with the University and on successful completion of the course the candidates are awarded the M.Sc. degree after satisfying University requirements. It is proposed to continue this arrangement on an optional basis, as it appears to help many of the candidates in their future career prospects.

The training will be based as hitherto in the regional lead centres that have the appropriate facilities. The long-term training is presently based in the Regional Lead Centre in the Philippines and the Integrated Fish Culture Course in the Regional Lead Centre in China. The basic courses will be taught as far as possible by resident teaching staff and special courses by invited specialists. This has been found to be essential to maintain the standard and uniformity of teaching and the timely completion of course work. Field work in the long-term training involves travel out of the training headquarters to other lead and national centres in participating countries.

The post-graduate course in fish disease diagnostics is proposed to be continued for two more years to train additional personnel required in the countries to implement expanded fish health programmes. There is provision for 12 candidates to be admitted each year. During the period 1990 to 1991, up to 24 candidates are expected to undergo this course.

(ii) Regular training courses

The number of trainees for each long-term course is normally limited to twenty. Besides a University degree or equivalent in biology or allied sciences, a minimum of two-year experience in aquaculture work is required for the candidates to fully participate and benefit from the course from the very beginning. To be able to complete the broad-based curriculum in a period of one year, the usual academic vacations are not observed and the trainees take only the minimum number of holidays.

The senior aquaculturists course will start in March every year and finish in February the following year. The integrated fish farming course will last 4 months each year, starting in April.

During the five-year period, four courses each, of the two training programmes are planned. Thus, at least 80 senior aquaculturists and a similar number of senior technicians specialised in integrated fish farming would have been trained by the end of the period.

(iii) Ad-hoc-short-term training courses

The ad-hoc short-term courses will be held as far as possible in either the regional or national centres as appropriate, utilizing the existing facilities and personnel. Provision has to be made to obtain the services of external experts where necessary. Generally larger number of candidates are nominated by governments for short-term training courses, and so provision is made for admitting up to 25 candidates, but efforts will be made to limit the number to 20, to facilitate practical work, which forms the most important part of these courses.

A tentative list of the courses to be held during the five-year period is given below.

These regional courses, together with nationally-organised training programmes referred to on page 115, are expected to enhance the expertise available in the member countries to implement successfully the investment projects. Further assistance in this regard will become available to the countries also from ad-hoc training and demonstrations, programmes for technology transfer and specialized technical assistance by the staff of NACA centres.

(iv) Training of junior scientists

As will be discussed later in this document, improvement of existing and development of new aquaculture technologies require inter-disciplinary research. For lack of adequate trained personnel, facilities and experience, such research under the NACA programme is presently restricted mainly to regional lead centres for selected aquaculture systems. However, national capabilities in interdisciplinary team research in important culture systems are being developed in the network lead centres through a programme of secondment of junior scientists in regional lead centres to work with such teams. Since 1985 when financial support became available, nine scientists have been assigned on secondment and it is believed that even this small number of personnel has contributed significantly to changes in the thinking of the types of applied research needed for technology development and improvement in the national centres. Besides this, secondment of national scientists has served as a national contribution to the regional research programmes and strengthened effective technical cooperation among the countries.

Because of its demonstrated value, the above arrangement will be continued more vigorously during the next five years. The secondment will be for a minimum period of one year, and six scientists will be under training each year.

(v) Assistance for the establishment of Centres of Excellence in aquaculture disciplines

One of the constraints in organizing interdisciplinary research on a national level in the region is the shortage of specialists in some of the important fields like fish and shellfish diseases, nutrition and feed technology, genetics and aquaculture engineering. Though there are a limited number of tertiary education institutions abroad, where specialized academic courses on these subjects are available, besides being too expensive they do not offer the type of field facilities for course research that had relevance in the countries of the candidates. Thus a selected number of universities in Asia shall be assisted in developing “Centres of Excellence” in specific disciplines, which would together function as a consortium to provide postgraduate courses in these disciplines. These universities may be linked to foreign universities that have distinguished themselves in these disciplines, for collaboration in teaching and research. Such an arrangement, besides upgrading teaching and research facilities in the universities of the region, is expected to increase and improve research efforts in the region. Linkages with Centres of Excellence in foreign countries would result in greater international cooperation and cross-fertilization of ideas and possibly significant mutual assistance.

NACA's role in the development of this consortium is intended to be largely catalytic. Assistance will, however, be given in the identification of universities or other teaching institutions in Asia for participation in the consortium and institutions abroad for linkage. Expert assistance will also be provided to work out a common system of accreditation for the participating institutions and development of post-graduate programmes. Assistance will also be offered in formulating operational procedures for the consortium.

(vi) Assistance to technician-level training

Despite the short-term courses to be organized on a regional basis to meet immediate development requirements. NACA's basic strategy is to promote the training of the large number of technicians and extension workers required in the member countries on a national basis. The senior aquaculturists and senior technicians trained in the regional lead centres are expected to serve as the trainers in such training programmes. The manuals and audio-visual materials produced by the Information Programme (see page 119) should prove of assistance in such training. Besides these, the services of NACA's core staff and specialists will be made available if necessary, for covering specific aspects of the technician/extension worker courses. Expenses in connection with such assistance will be met primarily from the core funding of NACA.

c. Applied Research for Improvement and Development of Farming Systems

As mentioned earlier, very few of the farming practices have been developed into dependable technologies with adequate evaluations of cost-benefit and economic and social feasibilities. While considerable progress has been achieved in techniques such as spawning and larval rearing, pond fertilization and supplementary feeding, very little reliable data are available on the actual production technology of the marketable product and its economic viability under different farming conditions. The thrust of NACA's research programme will therefore be to undertake the type of interdisciplinary research needed to improve and package existing farming practices and to develop new technologies as needed. The research needed will be carried out through the Regional Lead Centres and the National Centres, but private farms will increasingly be used to test the production technologies and their economic viability.

The data on farm performance generated by the Data and Information Programme will help identify the strong and weak aspects of farming practices presently used, and guide appropriate research. Though the work will be of an applied nature, and oriented to practical application in the countries of the region, close cooperation and even direct participation in some of the regional networks on specific disciplines, particularly nutrition, diseases, genetics and social sciences, will be required.

It is recognized that besides the long-term nature of research, the type of farming system research proposed is difficult and expensive, requiring considerable team effort and effective leadership. However, such work is most essential for technology development and farm management.

The farming systems selected for NACA studies during its first phase continue to be the priority ones in the region. The work already done will provide the basis for the proposed future work. During the next five years, special attention will be given to four farming systems, viz, Shrimp Culture; Cage Culture of Marine Finfish; Carp Culture in Undrained Ponds; and Integrated Fish Farming. The main aim, in each case, will be to produce appropriate technology packages suited to typical farming conditions.

Shrimp culture research will include attempts to develop appropriate technologies to produce shrimp for domestic markets, so that the industry can survive, even if decrease or loss of export markets occurs in the future.

Studies on integrated fish culture will continue to concentrate on quantifying and comparing the benefits of different types of integration and polycultures. Analysis and interpretation of existing systems in China and other Asian countries will provide the basic guidelines for experimental work to develop appropriate technologies. Cost-effectiveness of technologies and their applicability in different countries of the region will be determined by field testing.

The main aim of studies in carp farming in undrained ponds will be the evaluation of the data already available on actual field production, with special reference to economic viability, and the feasibility of improved water management to increase production and income.

Research on cage culture of finfish and shellfish will initially be concerned with species of seabass, grouper, snapper and shrimp. In view of the dependence of cage culture on artificial feeding, formulation and preparation of suitable feeds will be an important aspects of the investigations. Besides this, the development of suitable designs and methods of installation of cages for typical hydrographic conditions, and the determination of the environmental impact of cage farms as well as the practical means of preventing adverse effects will have to be investigated.

Research on communicable fish diseases have become of high priority in the region because of the recurring incidence of high mortality believed to be due to an epizootic ulcerative syndrome of unknown origin. Initiatives undertaken in the region to diagnose the causative agent and to develop control measures will have to be continued and strengthened in cooperation with concerned agencies. The expertise and facilities developed for studying this syndrome will make it possible to investigate also other important disease problems of the region and evolve comprehensive fish health programmes.

Although social studies relating to aquaculture development are highly site-specific, NACA will promote and assist such work undertaken on a national basis and disseminate all useful data and information of common interest in the region.

Following the recommendations of the Regional Workshop on Socio-economics of Aquaculture Development organized by NACA in 1986, priority will be given to the study of socio-economic impact of shrimp farming in rural areas in selected countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka). It is believed that there are both positive and negative influences on the socio-economics of target communities as a result of shrimp farming development. Governments in the region are interested in identifying these, in order to modify development plans and to minimize the negative impact.

Studies on economic aspects of aquaculture and farm management have been greatly handicapped by the lack of proper farm records, particularly accounting data. The preparation of suitable simple formats of farm records and their introduction to farmers, especially small farmers through extension agencies, would be attempted.

In all the research activities described above, the services of NACA staff and consultants will be made available to the concerned regional lead centre and national centres in (a) planning of investigations, experiments and field trials; (b) monitoring of programmes; and (c) analysis and interprepation of results. Necessary assistance will also have to be offered in the elaboration of tested technologies and research findings and their dissemination on a regionwide basis. As the selected culture systems and problems will be of primary interest to the host country of the selected institution, it is expected that the studies will also be included simultaneously as priority items in their national work programmes.

d. Collection and Dissemination of Data and Information

Free exchange of appropriate information is the essence of regional cooperation; and training, research and transfer of technology are largely dependent on it for their success. However, the collection of reliable data and information are far from easy; and experience seems to show that the more valuable the information, the more difficult it is to collect it. Several aquaculture information systems have been started in the region, based largely on scientific publications. They certainly meet the interests of the research workers, who have in any case greater access to world scientific information. But the type of data and information that a producer, investor or a development agency needs, is not available through these systems.

The AQUIS information system initiated by NACA as part of an ADCP global information network was meant to generate the essential farm and technology performance data required to develop farm management methods. Such data forms the basis for developing farm management methods in agriculture and should be equally valuable in designing appropriate farm management procedures for aquaculture, referred to in Section C of this Work Programme. It will provide the producer the type of information he needs in planning and managing his activities. Unfortunately the AQUIS programme was started with funding only for obtaining the essential computer hardware, and in the rather optimistic expectation that assistance will be readily available in the countries to collect the necessary data and to maintain the system. Another problem was that efforts were made to cover all systems of aquaculture. Even though considerable amount of data were collected during the short period when the systems was in operation, data on many parts of the systems were inadequate for proper analysis and conclusions. Problems in installing and maintaining the computer hardware got confused with judgments of the value of the system, and the whole programme got stalled since 1985.

The programme will be revitalized to obtain the basic data for farm management. Studies indicated earlier will be carried out on a smaller number of aquaculture systems to demonstrate its value in providing the necessary information required for development purposes. As other existing information systems can provide research workers with abstracts of scientific papers, the MINISIS part of NACA's information system, which covers abstracts of scientific papers, will be dropped. Instead information on aquaculture input producers and suppliers, consulting and contracting agencies, as well as individual consulting specialists, financing and joint venture sources, will be added to the system to meet the needs of individual farmers and development agencies. Close cooperation will be maintained with INFOFISH in providing market and other information. NACA's Information Programme will thus strive to become a clearing house for aquaculture developmental information in the region, in cooperation with FAO's regional office in Bangkok and headquarters in Rome, from where additional information will be obtained.

NACA will not be able to field its own staff to collect the type of information needed, and the active collaboration of fisheries agencies in the countries will be required for this purpose. It will, however, organize training workshops for field personnel in the countries and participate in establishing procedures of data collection at the farm level. The Lead Centres will be responsible for the collation and analysis of data.

Another activity to be streamlined and expanded is the preparation of educational and audio-visual material. Experience so far indicates that demand for such material is not restricted to the institutions that are involved in NACA's activities, and that there is a wider audience for these. Video tapes, slide strips, and manuals on tested techniques, and entire culture systems, will be useful. NACA expects to produce at least 5 audio-visuals and a similar number of manuals or leaflets each year. The preparation of these needs careful planning and professional competence. This will require the editorial support of NACA core staff and invited specialists.

Besides the above, the publication of the NACA Newsletter will continue as an essential means of exchanging information between participants in the Network, and for keeping interested agencies and individuals informed of the progress of its activities. The Newsletter will also serve as a vehicle for the publication of interim results of research and technology testing carried out in the Network centres.

Except for the publication of NACA's Newsletter and the collection of farm performance data, ways will be explored to make the rest of the information programme at least self-supporting, if not profit-making. To enable this, an adequate revolving fund shall be provided.

3. Budget

The estimated budgetary requirements for the Programme of Work during the 5-year period are illustrated in Tables 1–6. While the core activities will be funded by contributions from the Member Governments, the training, research and information programmes, as well as the advisory services to the intergovernmental NACA will have to be funded externally by interested donor governments and donor agencies.

The cost of the administrative support staff of the core programme (Table 2) will serve as an in-kind contribution of the Government hosting the NACA Headquarters, as recommended by the Legal and Financial Working Group and endorsed by the Provisional Governing Council.

Since the one-year broad-based multidisciplinary Training Course for Senior Aquaculturists requires fulltime training staff for its organization and implementation, external funding will have to be generated along with the fellowship funding. As in the NACA Headquarters the administrative support staff for the training course will be provided in-kind by the host institutions. Incentive allowances will be budgetted for such staff members.

Table 1. Budget Summary of NACA Programmes, 1990–1994 (in US$)

* Includes $93,000 in-kind contribution from the Government hosting the NACA Headquarters for services of 5 administrative support staff.
** Includes $195,000 in-kind contribution from the Institution hosting the one-year Training Course for Senior Aquaculturists, for services of 9 training and administrative support staff.

A - PLANNING, COORDINATION & PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

Table 2. Budget Covering Government Contributions for Core Activities (in US$)

* In-kind contribution from host government for services of administrative support staff
** Of which $93,000 are in-kind contribution of administrative support staff

B - TRAINING OF TECHNICAL PERSONNEL (1990–1994)

Table 3. Budget for the NACA Training Programme - Additional Funding (in US$)

* Excludes staff and other costs which appear in Table 3(a).

B - TRAINING OF TECHNICAL PERSONNEL (1990–1994)

Table 3(a). Budget for Organizing and Implementing the one-year Training Course for Senior
Aquaculturists - Additional Funding (in US$)

* In-kind contribution from host institution
** Of which $195,000 are in-kind contribution from host institution.

C — APPLIED RESEARCH (1990–1994)

Table 4. Estimated Budget for the NACA Research Programme — Additional Funding (in US$)

* Includes national and regional workshops
** Includes 10 m/m consultancy

D - COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION OF DATA AND INFORMATION

Table 5. Estimated Budget for the NACA Information Programme - Additional
Funding (in US$) from External Sources

Table 6. Estimated Budget for Advisory Services and Assistance to the Intergovernmental
NACA - Additional Funding (in US$)

Annex I : TERMS OF REFERENCE (NACA COORDINATOR)

The Coordinator shall be appointed by the Governing Council and shall be the legal representative of the Organization. In accordance with the policies and decisions of the Governing Council he shall:

1. Direct the work of the Organization and be responsible for its management;

2. Prepare and organize the sessions of the Governing Council and the Technical Advisory Committee, and all other meetings of the Organization, and shall provide the secretariat therefore;

3. Ensure coordination among the Members of the Organization;

4. Organize conferences, symposia and other meetings in accordance with approved programme of work;

5. Initiate proposals for joint action programmes with regional and other international bodies;

6. Ensure the publication of research findings, training manuals, information print-outs and other materials as required;

7. Collaborate and cooperate with the Directors of the Centres in the formulation and implementation of specific programmes of research and in their supervision and monitoring;

8. Be responsible for personnel appointment and management according to approved procedures;

9. Exercise overall control over all experts and consultants assigned to NACA;

10. Organize training programmes and assist in the selection of candidates for training at the Centres and young scientists of the region to be assigned to the Centres within the framework of Technical Cooperation among Development Countries;

11. Seek funding for the organization's activities, ensuring liaison with donor agencies, and mobilizing technical and other support;

12. Prepare reports on the work of the Organization, together with audited accounts, for submission to each annual session of the Governing Council;

13. Prepare a draft programme and budget for the following year, to be submitted to each annual session of the Governing Council;

14. Take action on other matters consistent with the objectives of the Organization;

15. Perform any other function as may be specified by the Governing Council.