The Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, assisted by the United Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations are engaged in a project whose main purpose is to assist in the development of Jordan's fishing industry by means of a demonstration distant-water fishing scheme.
As part of the project operation, FAO assigned an Aquaculture Consultant, Mr. V. Gopalakrishnan, who conducted a survey during his period of assignment from 19 March to 23 June 1973 with the following terms of reference:
to advise and assist the Government in 1) surveying the Gulf of Aqaba and determining its suitability for coastal aquaculture 2) developing plans for required feasibility studies and initiating same if time permits.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has a very small coastline along the Gulf of Aqaba, which is the only natural opening for the country. In spite of this limited marine area available, the importance of exploiting its fishery resources in order to meet the growing demand for protein-rich food items has been engaging the active consideration of the authorities* Although meat is the important food item for the majority of the Jordanians, the preference for fish has been increasing gradually during recent years. The market price of fish is not yet attractive from the producer's angle, as compared to other food items, but all the same, the scope for developing the fishery industry in the country is appreciable. Earlier studies have shown that the quantity of fish landed at Aqaba is only about 5 percent of the total supplies of fresh fish and fishery products on the market and that in order to raise the production to an appreciable level, concentrated efforts, extending over a number of years might be necessary.
The immediate objectives of the consultant's programme were to assist the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to survey the Gulf of Aqaba for coastal aquaculture, develop plans for feasibility studies and initiate the same if time permitted. The Government is anxious to develop the different sectors of the fishery industry in the country as much as possible in order to meet the growing demand for fresh fish, reduce imports and increase employment potential. The question of developing coastal aquaculture in the country will depend on the success of the initial feasibility studies contemplated.
The initial programme of work drawn up by the consultant had to be modified due to non-availability of regular land and water transport. However, the revised programme was undertaken with transport kindly arranged from local offices and using a boat hired by the Department whenever required.
