Appendix 4
MEDRAP FRAMEWORK

1. MEDITERRANEAN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE PROJECT

The Mediterranean Regional Aquaculture Project (MEDRAP) is a coordinated and interlinked system of Mediterranean fish culture institutions working in close cooperation on the development of technologies, personnel and information required to achieve the long-term objective of increasing fish production through aquaculture in the Mediterranean Region. Regional Aquaculture Pilot Centres are structured in the network to undertake activities in training research and information development.

MEDRAP, set up as a Regional Project, and in agreement between UNDP/FAO and participating governments, operates within the framework of the Technical Cooperation among Developing countries (TCDC).

The project was formulated by the UNDP/FAO Interregional Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (ADCP) in response to the recommendations of an Expert consultation on Aquaculture Development in the Mediterranean Region, convened at Athens (1978), and the Intergovernmental Review Meeting on the Protection of the Mediterranean, held at Barcelona (1975), to draw up a coordinated programme of concerted activities, aimed at better utilization of resources of the sea, especially by means of aquaculture development.

Collaboration among countries within a region was perceived by the countries themselves as an effective way of accelerating national aquaculture development. This approach allows optimal use of existing capabilities and facilities white greatly reducing duplication of effort.

MEDRAP started its operations in the latter half of 1981 with initial organization and planning activities followed by the establishment of regional aquaculture pilot centres in Tunisia, Algeria, Yugoslavia and Cyprus.

The regional head office of MEDRAP is located at the Institut National d'Océanographie et des Pêches (INSTOP), Salammbô, Tunisia. Coordination and assistance with the implementation of MEDRAP activities is provided by and through this office.

2. PILOT CENTRES

A regional aquaculture pilot centre or, in short, a pilot-centre, is the focus of MEDRAP activities which relate to specific aquaculture systems of importance to the host country and the region. The functions of a pilot-centre are to:

1. participate in the training of core personnel;
2. conduct multidisciplinary and production-oriented research on selected aquaculture systems for adaptation or improvement of technologies and for the development of new technologies;
3. collect, store and disseminate aquaculture information;
4. accept junior aquaculturists on secondment from participating countries for in-service training and participation in research on specific aquaculture systems.

3. TRANING ACTIVITIES

MEDRAP training activities aim at developing a core of senior aquaculturists and technicians needed for planning and implementing aquaculture development programmes. Eight group training programmes, which are oriented toward practical work, are presently in preparation.

Besides developing the necessary leadership for national aquaculture development, these residential training courses also provide a forum for participants to share experiences and expertise, and to establish personal and institutional contacts essential to regional cooperation in aquaculture development. The training courses are held in participating countries and especially in pilot-project facilities.

4. RESEARCH

MEDRAP research activities focus on:

1. filling the main gaps in the knowledge of existing farming systems, and
2. the technological improvements of these systems which will facilitate monitoring the implementation of economically viable fish production programmes.

Research priorities are based on important current needs and on studies which can be undertaken over a short-term to yield immediate practical results. Research technologies are pursued under local conditions.

5. INFORMATION DEVELOPMENT

The information component of MEDRAP covers the collection, storage and dissemination of aquaculture information and data. The types of information gathered may include:

1. statistical data on production, area under culture, species cultured, value of products, exports and imports, manpower employed, etc.
2. bibliographic and other non-numerical information such as directories of experts, institutions, research programmes, etc.
3. numerical and other data relating to aquaculture production, including cost and income.

The headquarters will be equipped with mini-computers and staff trained to operate them, and will function as a data bank where the information is processed, stored and released on request.

6. OTHER ACTIVITIES

Apart from undertaking research, training and information activities, MEDRAP, within the Limits of its resources, provides ad hoc assistance to participating countries in identifying development opportunities, conducting feasibility studies and formulating suitable projects. It also provides short-term and ad hoc assistance in the implementation of projects.

MEDRAP welcomes collaboration and cooperation with other organizations sharing common objectives, so that resources available for aquaculture development in the region may be enhanced to the benefit of the Mediterranean people.

7. SUPPORT AND FUNDING

Support for MEDRAP basically rests with participating Governments and UNDP/FAO.

Government inputs comprise the provision of national personnel, facilities, equipment and funds for research, training (including where possible fellowships for national trainees) and information development activities.

UNDP/FAO provisions to MEDRAP include a team of FAO personnel to plan, implement and coordinate MEDRAP activities, short-term consultants and instructors, some specialized equipment and fellowships. Other sources of funding are under consideration for the enhancement of training activities and pilot-project implementation.

INPUTS OF UNDP/FAO, PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTS + DONOR AGENCIES applied through the MEDRAP MECHANISM

GENERAL SCHEME OF MEDRAP

Coordinated MEDRAP activities undertaken with the inputs of UNDP/FAO and participating Governments, supported where necessary by donor agencies, are intended to develop trained personnel, appropriate aquaculture technologies and information required for structuring fish production programmes. The general plan of MEDRAP is illustrated above.

OUTPUTS TO MEDTERRANEAN COUNTRIES
1 •	TRAINED PERSONNEL
•	Senior aquaculturists to plan to direct programmes
•	Junior aquaculturists Et Technicians to execute + extend programmes
2 •	AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGIES
•	Finish and shrimps
•	Mussels + oysters
3 •	INFORMATION BANK
•	Production parameters statistics and other numerical data
•	Bibliographic and nonnumerical data
•	Other information needed for development planning, research and training
MECHANISM OF COORDINATION ET IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDRAP ACTIVITIES

Since regional cooperation is vital co the fulfillment of MEDRAP objectives and functions, the established MEDRAP ADVISORY COMMETIEE COMPRISING representatives of the participating Governments. FAO and UNDP and other donor agencies plays an important role in providing guidance and assistance for implementing MEDRAP activities. The mechanism for coordinating the implementation of these activities is illustrated above.

IMPLEMENTATION OF PILOT - PROJECT