Development of coastal aquaculture has been recognized by countries bordering the Black Sea as one of the most important ways of increasing fishery production. Although some of the countries have already initiated certain aquaculture development activities, there is an obvious need to expand these and regional cooperation was considered an effective way of achieving this. The Governments of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey therefore requested United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assistance in formulating a cooperative programme of aquaculture development in the Black Sea region.
As a result of consultations held by UNDP and FAO with potential participating countries, a preparatory assistance project was approved to field a mission to study the state and potential of coastal aquaculture in the region and to prepare a Regional Black Sea Aquaculture Development Project. The mission, mounted by the UNDP/FAO Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (ADCP), was asked to specially investigate the feasibility of expanding aquaculture through the exchange of existing technologies in the countries of the region, or from countries with similar environmental conditions, and to determine research and training requirements for the implementation of a development programme.
The mission visited the three Black Sea countries which expressed interest in the project, viz. Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, during the period September to November 1979. The possible participation of the USSR in the proposed project was also explored. Although a final commitment has not yet been received, the authorities concerned expressed interest, and it is hoped that the USSR will participate in the project when it gets started. In each country visited by the mission, the state of aquaculture and potential for its future development were evaluated, besides the organizational, technical and production inputs required for the expansion or introduction of aquaculture. The mission's appraisal of activities in the countries visited and recommendations for future development are contained in this report.
The mission consisted of Mr. Michael Mistakidis, who visited USSR, Bulgaria and Romania; Mr. Harry L. Cook, who covered Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, and Dr. R. A. Meaney who only visited Turkey. The itinerary of the mission is given in Annex I.
