The majority of the aquaculturists now employed by the DOF of the MAAR, and in the GEF are stationed at the freshwater fish culture stations. Only a limited number of personnel have benefited from short training courses (mainly through MEDRAP) in selected aspects of mariculture, or have participated in seminars, conferences and exhibitions dealing with marine aquaculture. Personnel with direct experience in marine farm or hatchery establishment and operation are lacking in Syria.
Whilst the mission was impressed by the eagerness and sense of duty displayed by almost all the aquaculturists and fisheries officers met in Syria, the lack of competence and experience in marine farming constitutes a constraint to the development of marine aquaculture projects. This situation applies to all categories of staff.
The successful implementation of the proposed pilot projects requires overseas specialized training of local staff, as further detailed. Such training abroad is to provide introductory knowledge on the operation of marine aquaculture facilities. During the implementation of the pilot project further training will be provided directly on-site to both graduate staff and workers by the international aquaculture specialists assigned to the project.
The two graduate staff planned to lead the cage culture facility should be sent overseas for training for a period of 3–4 months each. The candidates should have academic knowledge in biological or agricultural sciences, and be fluent in at least one foreign language. At least one of the candidates should have experience in the management of agriculture or industrial production units.
Training should preferably be conducted at marine cage culture production units working with similar species, rather than at university and research centres. The emphasis should be on gaining knowledge and insight into practical aspects of running production facilities, through direct on-the-job training.
Neighbouring countries with established cage culture activity, such as Cyprus and Turkey, could be the most suitable for such on-the-job training. However, there may be a reserve from production companies to provide training to possible future competitors in the industry. If this were the case, it may be easier to obtain production training in more distant countries, where there is less likelihood to be considered a potential competitor. A verbal consent to deliver such training has been received from the Italian company “Filicudi Royal Fish S.r.l”.
The same considerations outlined in Section 5.1.2 above apply to candidate hatchery personnel; it is most important to obtain on-the-job training from marine hatchery production units which are not likely to compete in the same market.
In this context preliminary verbal consent to deliver such training was obtained from the Spanish company “Acquicultura Ceuta SA”.
In addition to the training of permanent pilot project senior staff above, it will be necessary to develop the capability of supporting institutional services to marine aquaculture activity in Syria.
One of the principal services to be provided is health monitoring of the cultured fish stock coupled with veterinary assistance in case of disease outbreaks.
Training in this field could ideally be conducted in a combination of environments. The first stage of training can be more theoretical in nature and be carried out at a university or research centre (e.g., Stirling University, Scotland, provides training courses in Fish Pathology). This should be followed by a period of practical application in commercial fish farms. The duration of overseas training required in this subject is three months.
The establishment of the proposed pilot facilities cannot be implemented without considerable expert technical assistance from abroad. This is necessary for both the planning/construction phase and for the production management phase of the project. The following international staff will be required as assistance to the project.
Senior Aquaculture Adviser
The Senior Aquaculture Adviser must have extensive experience in marine aquaculture development, including the coordination of aquaculture demonstration and training activities, with specific knowledge in cage culture technology of the selected fish species.
This person will be responsible for overall development and management of the project, including planning and construction of the cage facility, securing biological stock and materials required for project operation, and management of farming activities.
The location for the assignment will be Latakia and the duration 28 man-months.
In addition to the Senior Adviser, the following short-term consultants will be required for specific aspects in the project:
Aquaculture Cage Engineer, to assist in the construction and start-up phase of the project.
Duration: 4 man-months.
Marine Aquaculturist. to assist the Senior Adviser in the initiation of fish production and staff training activities in the start-up phase of the project.
Duration: 7 man-months.
Marine Fish Pathologist, to carry out stock inspection and train staff in disease control and prevention measures, at an intermediate stage in the project.
Duration: 3 man-months.
The requirement of international technical assistance in this section will be in function of the decision on whether to establish a marine hatchery, and in which phase of the project. Thus only an indication of the external technical assistance can be given in this stage.
Associate Aquaculture Expert, with experience in all aspects of marine hatchery and fry rearing operations.
This person will be responsible for everyday hatchery operation and for the supervision of local hatchery personnel.
Duration: 16 man-months.
Hatchery Engineer, to prepare the executive project design, in collaboration with the Senior Adviser and Associate Expert, and supervise hatchery construction and start-up phases.
Duration: 8 man-months.
Here the extent of international technical assistance required will depend on the timing of project implementation. Ideally the beginning of phase two could overlap with the end of the first production cycle of phase one, in which case the Senior Adviser could participate in this phase also.
The degree of technical assistance required in such an assumption is presented herewith.
Senior Aquaculture Adviser
Duration: 12 man-months.
Offshore Cage Engineer
Duration: 6 man-months.
Marine Fish Pathologist
Duration: 2 man-months.
