The Mediterranean Region - TECAM, SELAM and SIPAM Activities
Three international networks involving partnerships between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) and national institutions are now operational. The TECAM (Technology of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean), SELAM (Socio-economic and Legal Aspects of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean) and SIPAM (System of Information for the Promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean) networks are placed under the aegis of the Committee on Aquaculture of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).
The TECAM and SELAM networks are coordinated by CIHEAM, which has, since 1995, organized and implemented the activities through the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (IAMZ), in collaboration with the FAO and other Mediterranean institutions.
TECAM Survey on Mediterranean aquaculture diagnistic laboratories conducted by the the CIHEAM-IAMZ and the FAO
As regards the field of aquaculture health management, several activities have been organized in recent years under the TECAM network i.e., a Seminar on Disease Diagnosis and Control of Mediterranean Cultured Fishes (Malta, 20-24 March 1995) and a Short Practical Course on Fish Health Management (Udine, Italy, 27 January - 7 February 1997). During the discussions held during the above mentioned activities, it was pointed out, that in order to make aquaculture health management more effective, it is necessary to acquire greater knowledge on the pathogens and diseases that are affecting Mediterranean aquaculture, as well as on the main diagnostic procedures that are in use in the region.
Now, as an important step, the TECAM network is launching a project study aimed to acquire greater knowledge about the Mediterranean laboratories working on the diagnosis of diseases of fish and shellfish. The survey is being organized by CIHEAM through the IAMZ (CIHEAM-IAMZ) and the FAO, through the Fisheries Department.
With the collaboration of some experts, Dr. Frank Berthe (IFREMER, France) and Prof. Alicia Toranzo and Prof. Juan Barja (University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain), three survey questionnaires were prepared and distributed to previously identified laboratories, and about 50 survey replies have already been received from key public and private laboratories in different Mediterranean countries (i.e., Croatia, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey).
Following the analysis of the survey replies, a directory of Mediterranean laboratories working on the diagnosis of fish and shellfish diseases will be prepared and published in a special volume of the CIHEAM journal "Options Mediterranéennes." The publication will also include a reference report about existing diseases and pathogens and their prevalences and distributions in Mediterranean aquaculture.
TECAM advanced course on Aquaculture Fish Breeding Programmes, Zaragoza, Spain, 2 - 6 April 2001
The course took place from 2 to 6 April 2001, at the IAMZ, Zaragoza, Spain. The course, which is included within the activities of TECAM, was organized by the CIHEAM, through the IAMZ, with the collaboration of the FAO, through the Fisheries Department. The participants included 32 experts from 11 countries (Albania, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey and the United Kingdom) belonging to private hatcheries, research institutions, universities, and administration. Among the guest speakers were: B. Basurco (CIHEAM), C. Batargias (Greece), H.B. Bentsen (Norway), D. Mylonas (Greece), L. Colombo (Italy), B. Gjerde, (Norway), P. Haffray (France), A. Riaza (Spain), M. Toro (Spain) and B. Villanueva (UK).
The main objective of the course was to acquaint participants with the principles and elements underlying genetic improvement programs. Through the different lectures, the requirements to establish and develop such programs were reviewed. To this end, the course covered aspects about the reproductive biology of fish and its implications in breeding programs. Basic quantitative genetics, genetic improvement tools and strategies, design of genetic mprovement programs and the role of innovative biotechniques in fish breeding were also addressed. The course was specially focused on the two main Mediterranean cultured finfish species, namely European sea bass and gilthead sea bream.
Tecam advanced course on Mediterranean offshore mariculture, Zaragoza, Spain, 28 May - 2 June 2001
The course was organized by the CIHEAM, through the IAMZ, with the collaboration of the FAO, through the Fisheries Department and took place at the IAMZ in Zaragoza. The course was given by well-qualified lecturers from research centers, universities and private companies in different countries.
The course was held over a period of one week, from 28 May to 2 June 2001, in morning and afternoon sessions. The aim was to provide participants with the most recent knowledge available on offshore mariculture, with special emphasis on the Mediterranean, and the course included sessions on the status of offshore farming, site evaluation, systems review, net technology, management and economics. The course caters to a maximum of 25 professionals with a university degree who are already directly involved in the subject matter. Preference is given to farm managers with technical and financial responsibilities and other professionals involved in the development of offshore farming.
Seminar on Seafood Market
Studies for the Introduction
of New Aquaculture Products,
Zaragoza, Spain,
21 - 22 June 2001
This seminar was planned as a joint activity between the EU-Concerted (European Union) Action MASMANAP (Methodology for Seafood Market Studies with the Aim of Introducing New Aquaculture Products) and the SELAM Network. It was organized at the end of MASMANAP (a 30-month project), with the aim of disseminating its results, and it is also the continuation of previous activities of the SELAM network in this field. It was jointly organized by the EU-Concerted Action MASMANAP, the CIHEAM-IAMZ and the Fisheries Department of the FAO.
The seminar reviewed the evolution of the main European seafood markets. The main lines of what could be relevant market studies were discussed, and the common work was used to identify the most important seafood consumption data that have to be collected as a support to the market studies. Research priorities were underlined in order to obtain relevant data, to learn how to analyze them and to propose recommendations for a seafood market study with the aim of introducing new aquaculture products. The seminar addressed professionals with a university degree who already have experience and a deep knowledge of the aquaculture sector.
5th Annual Sipam Meeting, Istanbul, Turkey, 8-12, November 2000
The 5th annual SIPAM meeting took place in Istanbul, Turkey from 8-12 November, 2000. Fourteen countries already SIPAM members and two new SIPAM member countries (Lebanon and Romania) were represented by their National Co-ordinators. FAO was represented by Manuel Martinez, Coppola Rino (Fisheries Department) and Mario Pedini (FAO, Secretary of the GFCM Committee of Aquaculture). The main issues discussed were how to:
During the meeting, a new release (more advanced) of SIPAM for Windows software (Version 2.3) was distributed, as well as a brochure and a CD-Rom (for SIPAM presentation and demonstration).
Other Recent SIPAM Activities
SIPAM Expansion
Algeria and Libya are now officially linked to SIPAM, and the network was already been demonstrated and set up within the premises of the Marine Resources Wealth Centre in Tajura, Libya. The two new countries expected to join SIPAM during 2001 are Lebanon and Romania. SIPAM was installed in Romania last March, 2001 during the visit of the SIPAM Regional Co-ordinator.
Lebanon will be visited soon, and SIPAM will be also set up within the Ministry of Agriculture in Beyrouth.
SIPAM for Windows 2.3
The version 2.2 was improved by the SIPAM Regional Centre in Tunis according to the requirements expressed by the SIPAM National Co-ordinators during a meeting held in Malta from 24-28 November 1999). The new version is likely to allow the National Co-ordinators to set up locations (up to nine) within their own countries in order to enhance the data flow among the SIPAM end-users. It also includes other improvements making the software closer to the specific needs of its end-users.
Regional Database New Release
The first issue of the SIPAM Regional Database for 2001 was prepared using the new software (Version 2.3) and released in early April, 2001. It includes more than 10 000 records shared by 13 specialized databases: Statistics (3), Directories (4), Laws and Regulations (2), Pathology (1),Bibliography (1), Research/Development Programmes (1) and National Reports (1).
SIPAM Brochure
The SIPAM Brochure exists in four languages: English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Additionally, Morocco is expected to finance the design and editing of an Arabic version, whose wording has already been made available by the SIPAM Regional Centre in Tunis.
SIPAM Reports
Reports on production statistics (for 1995 to 1999), suppliers, experts and aquaculture research institutes in the Mediterranean countries are made available by the SIPAM Regional Centre.
2001 Program of Activities
The main issues included within the 2001/ early 2002 program are as follows: