The Working Group recommends that
A Plan of Operation for a five-year regional programme (ALCOM Phase III), consisting of self-contained components, is elaborated, based on the outline in this report
The following components should constitute the Programme
Strengthening of aquaculture institutions
An umbrella programme is maintained as for the previous phases of ALCOM to ensure efficient and flexible use of scarce resources, sharing of expertise between components, exchange of information, and coordination of efforts.
A Steering Committee continues to review progress and decide on orientation and annual work plans.
The mariculture component should be elaborated in detail during a preparatory phase.
All components should be regarded as equally important. In case of limited funding the Programme should focus on components (a) and (b) followed by (d) and (c). This is based on the facts that ALCOM's earlier phases have almost exclusively addressed inland aquaculture and that tested methods and techniques are required for strengthening of institutions.
The Steering Committee, endorses the Plan of Operation and requests SADC and FAO to approach several donors for contributions to the Programme.
During the implementation of sub-projects and activities the Programme pays close attention to the active involvement of beneficiaries in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; that gender issues be considered, and that environmental impact studies are carried out as and needed. In planning of its activities, together with national and regional institutions, the Programme should always keep in mind the sustainability of the interventions.
The Steering Committee proposes to participating countries to commit resources to the Programme. Different forms for such contributions should be considered. They could include contributions to common functions such as operations of the Committee itself and its sub-committees or working groups or for information activities, equally benefiting all member countries.
