The priorities of the mission were to provide the outline design of the Beymelek Lagoon Aquaculture Centre, to estimate provisional costs for the establishment and the operation of the Centre and to prepare the work plan for the implementation of the project.
The main objectives of the project are the transfer of established technologies for the production of fry and the rearing of marine fish species (sea bass and sea bream) and shrimp, and the development of training programmes at a national level. Furthermore, improvement of the lagoon management by local fishermen's cooperatives is necessary.
The farm is designed for a yearly production of 100 t of sea bass, 50 t of sea bream and 10 t of shrimp using both intensive and semi-intensive rearing technologies. The marine hatchery has a yearly production capacity of 400 000 sea bass and 200 000 sea bream fry in addition to the production of shrimp post-larvae. Maximum flexibility is given to the project in order to adapt production strategies to changing market requirements.
The collection of wild fry will be carried out to support the semi-intensive and extensive culture of sea bream and mullets in earth ponds and lagoon. A new and up-to-date fish barrier will allow control of fish migrations and production in the lagoon, which will also benefit from the establishment of a permanent communication channel to the sea.
The Turkish Government will contribute to the project mainly through the financing of all capital costs (building and equipment) and operating costs. It will also be responsible for the full organization of the construction, and together with the specialist project staff, the operation of the farm and the training programmes of the Centre.
At early 1988 prices, the total contribution required will be LT 1 640 million in 1989, LT 1 580 million in 1990 and LT 1 240 million in 1991 (excluding inflation). First incomes from sales are expected from 1991 at which time the project would be expected to generate positive balances.
The United Nations Development Programme contribution will consist in providing all the necessary technical assistance and advice to the project, through 18 man-months of seven experts in the various aquaculture fields involved, 18 man-months of a senior expert and 18 man-months of a hatchery specialist to advise on the start-up and the management of the Centre, and 72 man-months of associate professional officer services to assist in the Centre's operations.
An additional budget is allocated for equipment to be imported (US$ 130 000) and for training/fellowship purposes (US$ 85 000).
The critical step for the timely implementation of the project is the start of the hatchery operation in October 1989. This calls for construction to begin in April 1989 and both parties - the Turkish Government and UNDP should concentrate efforts to meet the project's plan and timetable, particularly to avoid any delay in beginning construction. Main inputs required from the Turkish Government are to:
provide design/engineering staff to complete detailed design before Devember 1988, in collaboration with the FAO consultants
set up all necessary administrative, supervisory and financing procedures required for construction (to start in April 1989).
The project should be able to benefit from very favourable conditions (infrastructure, climate, water quality, costings), which, together with the efficiency of the Turkish counterpart staff, gives every indication that it will lead to a highly competitive and effective farm and training centre in the Mediterranean.
