Report of the Fourth Session of the Committee on Aquaculture Alexandria, Egypt, 7 - 9 June 2004

PREPARATION OF THIS DOCUMENT

This is the final report approved by the participants at the fourth session of the Committee on Aquaculture of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, held in Alexandria, Egypt, from 7 to 9 June 2004.

Distribution:

Participants
GFCM mailing list
FAO Fisheries Officers, Regional and Subregional Offices

OPENING OF THE SESSION

1. The Fourth Session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ) was held in Alexandria, Egypt, from 7 to 9 June 2004. The Session was attended by 15 Members of the Commission and by the observer from the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (CIHEAM - IAMZ) and the European Aquaculture Society (EAS). The list of participants is attached as Appendix B to this report.

2. The Session was opened by Mr Jean-Paul Blancheton (France), Chairperson of the CAQ. The Chairperson welcomed the participants and in particular, Mr Mohamed Abdul Salam Mahjoub, Governor of Alexandria, Mr Mohamed Abd Alah, Rector of the University of Alexandria as well as Mr Tallat Nasr El Din, Chairman of the General Authority of Fish Resources Development (GARD), Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt. On behalf of the Committee the Chairperson expressed special appreciation for their presence at the opening of the Session. He further expressed his gratitude to the host country mentioning the outstanding location selected and the excellent organization of the Session.

3. Following a brief informal greeting by Mr Mohamed Abdul Salam Mahjoub, Governor of Alexandria, Mr Mohamed Abd Alah, Rector of the University of Alexandria, Egypt, expressed his satisfaction at hosting this Session in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and evoked the historical importance of the Mediterranean Basin as a symbol of cooperation since ancient times between various cultures and peoples. Mr Tallat Nasr El Din, addressed the Committee emphasizing the importance of the aquaculture sector in his country and expressing renewed commitment to the activities of the GFCM.

4. On behalf of the FAO Assistant Director-General, Fisheries Department, Mr Ichiro Nomura, Mr Jia Jiansan, Chief of Inland Waters and Aquaculture Service (FIRI) expressed the appreciation of FAO to the Egyptian Government for hosting and co-financing this Fourth Session of the Committee. He underlined the urgent need for the CAQ to confirm its capacity to become the reference body for the implementation of responsible aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. He also expressed his satisfaction with the good participation to this Fourth Session of the Committee held for the first time in the southern part of the Mediterranean.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SESSION

5. The Agenda was adopted by the Committee, with a number of minor changes, and is attached as Appendix A to this report. The documents before the Committee are listed in Appendix C.

STATUS OF THE AUTONOMOUS BUDGET AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH AND TWENTY-EIGHTH SESSIONS OF THE GFCM

6. At the invitation of the Chairperson, the Secretary of GFCM presented document GFCM:CAQ/2004/Inf.7 providing an update of the situation concerning the autonomous budget of GFCM and its implications on the activities of CAQ. He recalled the process which led on 29 April 2004 to the entry into force of the autonomous budget following the deposit with the Director-General of the sixteenth instrument of acceptance of the amendments to the GFCM Agreement. The Secretary further recalled suggestions made in the recent past by CAQ and GFCM to endow the Committee with a suitable share of the autonomous budget and stressed the need to re-evaluate such estimate of allocation in relation to identifying a strategic short- and medium-term programme of work of CAQ which could be brought forward to the forthcoming Extraordinary Session of GFCM.

7. The participants agreed that this Session of CAQ needed to identify a concrete proposal for the share of aquaculture within the autonomous budget, based on the assessment of CAQ strategy in both the short- and the medium-term.

8. On the basis of document GFCM:CAQ/2004/Inf.3, the Secretary presented a summary of the major relevant recommendations of the last two sessions of GFCM, which have taken place since the Third Session of the Committee.

9. In the discussion which followed, clarification was provided on the catch component of the scale of contribution for the autonomous budget.

PROGRESS OF MEDITERRANEAN AQUACULTURE SINCE THE THIRD SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE

10. The Secretariat introduced Agenda item 3 and referenced the document GFCM:CAQ/IV/2004/2 on status and trends in aquaculture production in the GFCM region. According to FAO statistics, for 2002 total aquaculture production for the GFCM member countries (excluding Japan) was reported to be 1.284 million tonnes representing a decrease of 6.3% from 2000 total production. These figures include inland and Atlantic aquaculture production.

11. Marine and brackishwater aquaculture production in the Mediterranean and Black Sea was considered separately as well. Production in 2002 was reported to be 339 000 tonnes, representing a 4.4% annual decrease from 2000. Italy is by far the leading producer here (146 000 tonnes) followed by Greece, Egypt, France and Turkey. The primary species produced in the region are the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), Japanese carpet clam (Ruditapes philippinarum), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus).

12. Total reported value of aquaculture production in 2002 was US$ 2.4 billion, which represents an annual decrease of 7.2% in the period 2000 - 2002. In addition to the decrease in total value, a decline in the per unit prices received by aquaculture producers was observed.

13. In the discussion which followed, issues regarding the correct reporting of data were highlighted. Countries with more than one marine area generally do not report to which marine area production by species should be attributed. This causes difficulties when trying to separate production in the Mediterranean from that in the Atlantic and Red Sea to conduct regional analyses. In addition, the need for improvement in the reporting of values for aquaculture was stressed.

14. Two countries, Spain and Croatia, reported problems in their officially reported statistics as presented in the document. In particular, both reported that official FAO statistics differed from other data reported to SIPAM. It was noted that in most countries different people are responsible for providing official data to FAO and to SIPAM. Improved communication among data providers and data recipients was recommended. Better coordination should reduce the burden of work and increase the overall quality of data and statistics.

15. It was noted that aquaculture production from tuna farming is often not reported in official statistics. The Committee was reminded that according to the definition of FAO, the weight gained in captivity should be considered as aquaculture production. The practical difficulties of this definition were noted.

16. Potential constraints to further development of the aquaculture sector were discussed. Among these were biological issues including disease control and biodiversity concerns; market concerns including prices, demand for products, and issues of marketing in light of negative publicity. The need to better promote aquaculture products in the market was noted. Environmental concerns and competition from other activities for coastal sites and further technical advances were also discussed as constraints.

17. Other major constraints were considered, namely: lack of suitable planning and research to ensure responsible aquaculture in all Mediterranean countries; lack of common rules to face the risk of over-flooded markets; lack of reliable indicators to assess the sustainability of aquaculture development in the region.

18. The need for more information and analysis concerning demand and marketing of aquaculture products was pointed out. The representative from the European Community (EC) informed the Committee that the market study of seabream and seabass, originally announced during the Third Session of CAQ, was now available at their website^[1]. The study was requested by the European Union (EU) member countries to examine the decrease of market prices of these two species during the period 2002 - 2003. It found that this decline was due to a rapid increase in the production of these species which exceeded the market demand.

19. The EC delegate drew the attention of the Session to the modification of the EU regulations concerning the financing of intensive fish farms. Furthermore, he informed that a letter had been circulated to all EU Member countries requesting them to report on their monitoring systems to assess and control the production of seabass and seabream.

ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE IN THE INTERSESSIONAL PERIOD 2002 - 2004

- GFCM/ICCAT Ad Hoc Working Group on Bluefin Tuna Farming

20. With regards to the GFCM/International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Ad Hoc Working Group on Sustainable Bluefin Tuna Farming in the Mediterranean, the Committee was informed that the Working Group (WG) had met twice in 2003. During its first meeting (Rome, Italy, 12 - 14 May 2003) the WG finalized a survey form needed for the collection of information and data on current bluefin tuna farming activities, including information on fishing activities and trade.

21. During the second meeting (Izmir, Turkey, 15 - 17 December 2003), the WG was presented with summaries covering capture fisheries, farming and marketing of bluefin tuna based on the completed and collected survey reports. During this meeting the WG deliberated on all issues identified in the WG’s mandate.

22. The Committee was further informed that the third and last meeting of the WG will likely take place in September 2004 to discuss and finalize the guidelines that address the sustainability of the activity. It was recalled that all concerned GFCM Members are expected to participate in this concluding meeting.

23. Delegates from countries engaged in bluefin tuna farming provided additional information on the status of the activity and confirmed their interest in ensuring the sustainable development of this new industry. For example, Croatia reported on newly adopted regulations that have stemmed from ICCAT resolutions, while Cyprus is working out rules for reporting production statistics.

24. The Committee acknowledged that more research is required in the reproductive biology of bluefin tuna as well as marketing and trade aspects before the sector can truly develop. In this regards, the delegate of France mentioned that the EU-funded REPRODOTT project was still on-going and during its final meeting there would be an opportunity for regional debates. Furthermore, the delegate of Tunisia suggested the establishment of a regional centre of excellence on the biology and reproduction of bluefin tuna and offered to host its headquarters. He requested that a feasibility study be carried out and funded by the autonomous budget of GFCM.

25. The delegate from the EC confirmed also the interest of the Community on the issue and alluded to the fact that, in April 2004, the EU Council of Ministers had adopted two regulations concerning control and technical measures for the conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species and, in particular, for tuna. Copies of the regulations were circulated among the delegates of the Committee for information.

- Information System for the Promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SIPAM)

26. The Regional Coordinator of SIPAM provided an overview of the status of SIPAM emphasizing the mandate that the GFCM gave it as the information system for aquaculture in the Mediterranean. He recalled that SIPAM comprised 16 countries (representing 90% of the whole aquaculture production in the Mediterranean) of the Commission. The issue of Portugal’s participation, which in 2000 stopped its positive and timely participation in SIPAM as a result of its position vis-à-vis the GFCM, was also mentioned.

27. The Regional Coordinator reported on the outcome of the Seventh SIPAM Annual Meeting that was held in Casablanca, on 19 and 20 September 2003. In this context, he stressed the importance of and the vital support from the FAO Fisheries Department as well as the contribution from the Government of Morocco for the successful organization of the meeting.

28. From the operational point of view, country representatives were informed of the development and the functionalities of SIPAM as well as of a number of difficulties that the system was experiencing mainly due to different levels of involvement from National Coordinators and the lack of expertise at the Regional Centre in communication and information building.

29. The benefits of the methodology and the mechanism of SIPAM were also underlined. SIPAM, conceived and built around a pure participatory approach, in spite of its well known financial limitation, is still working and developing further from the initial four countries.

30. A brief presentation of the latest developments of SIPAM-on-the-Web was delivered by the Secretariat emphasizing that this further development had been undertaken by FAO with the support of the Regional Centre.

- Technology and Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (TECAM) and Socio-Economic and Legal Aspects of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SELAM)

31. With regard to the Technology and Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (TECAM) and the Socio-Economic and Legal Aspects of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SELAM) Networks, the representative of CIHEAM presented the work carried out during the intersessional period. The mechanism of operation of both networks was duly noted, indicating the close collaboration established between the CIHEAM - IAMZ, the FAO Fisheries Department and several national institutions. The programme of both networks included five international courses and seminars. All implemented activities were proposed in the last TECAM and SELAM Coordination Committee Meeting (Zaragoza, Spain, February 2002) and aimed at contributing to aquaculture development according to the interest of the GFCM member countries. The selection of the activities took into account also the proposals made at the Consultation on the Application of Article 9 of FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) in the Mediterranean Region (Rome, Italy, 19 - 23 July 1999).

32. The networks have offered training activities to professionals from the Mediterranean region where there is lack of training opportunities and expertise in aquaculture. The total number of participants attending the various activities amounted to 226 (guest lectures not included). In the selection of candidates for any activity, emphasis was given to ensure participation from southern and eastern Mediterranean countries (one third of participants). This included financial support to cover all or part of the expenses such as travel, registration fees, accommodation and food. Training courses have also provided an excellent opportunity for interactions between participants and guest lecturers with the expectation of future collaboration. Furthermore, it was noted that the interest of the private sector to attend the various activities offered has increased.

33. A TECAM Survey on Mediterranean Aquaculture Diagnostic Laboratories was carried out by CIHEAM - IAMZ and FAO Fisheries Department, and aimed to acquire greater knowledge about the Mediterranean laboratories working on diagnosis of diseases of fish and shellfish. The Committee was informed that a directory of Mediterranean laboratories has been completed and will be published in a special volume of the CIHEAM journal Options Mediterranéennes as well as placed online in the SIPAM website.

- Interaction between capture fisheries and aquaculture

34. The Expert Consultation on Interaction between Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture was organized in Rome, Italy, from 5 to 7 November 2003 by the FAO AdriaMed Project (Scientific Cooperation to Support Responsible Fisheries in the Adriatic Sea) and hosted by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies.

35. The aims of the consultation were to achieve a comprehensive description and analysis of the aquaculture sector in the countries which border the Adriatic Sea and to acquire the tools to improve the knowledge on the interaction between aquaculture and capture fisheries using the existing knowledge at Adriatic basin level. The full report of this meeting was made available as an information document (see GFCM:CAQ/IV/2004/Inf.11).

36. The National contributions provided the consultation with the necessary basic data set for the discussion. A comprehensive framework on aquaculture in the Adriatic countries and its interaction with capture fisheries was defined as a result of the information from the countries and from further presentations on specific themes provided by the regional experts.

37. The consultation defined a matrix to synthesize the interactions between capture fisheries and aquaculture. The identification of some indicators using a systemic approach (ecology, economy, governance and legal framework) helped in the analysis. Finally the consultation provided a series of recommendations related to the interactions between capture fisheries and aquaculture. The outcome of the consultation will be published in the AdriaMed Technical Document series.

38. Several delegates recalled that during the last CAQ Session, the aspects on interaction between capture fisheries and aquaculture were identified as priorities for the Mediterranean and noted with satisfaction the effort made by the Project using the systemic approach in which the different dimensions of the fisheries are taken into consideration. Participants highlighted that a similar approach should be considered in other areas of the Mediterranean taking into account the impact on biodiversity, restocking, space competition, marketing and the role of local fishing communities.

39. The Committee agreed that priority should be given to these issues and that the experience should be extended to the overall Mediterranean area taking into consideration the peculiarity of the two sectors at national and regional level.

- Review of the regional aquaculture project proposal

40. The Technical Secretary of CAQ presented the background on the regional aquaculture project proposal drafted following the Consultation on the Application of Article 9 of the CCRF in the Mediterranean and endorsed during the Second Session of the CAQ.

41. The Committee acknowledged that the updated proposal listed objectives and outputs that focused attention on specific activities considered of relevance to the region as a whole as requested by GFCM. However, it was also suggested that the new document encompassed a series of activities that were difficult to include in a single project that could be endorsed by all Members as well as attract donor support.

42. The EC delegate expressed appreciation for the preparation of the updated project proposal which he considered as a good base for establishing the future programme of CAQ; he also reaffirmed the need to select a few issues of a general nature with interest to all Mediterranean countries. The Committee was therefore invited to further prioritize these activities. It was recognized that regional differences exist and would be difficult to address.

43. It was recalled that the GFCM Members adopted in 1995 the CCRF and further organized in 1999 the CAQ Consultation of the Application of Article 9 of the CCRF in the Mediterranean which identified a long-term programme endorsed by the GFCM. The work before the Committee was to translate this programme into short- and medium-term activities to be allocated as appropriate to the different networks.

44. During the discussion it was further suggested to consider that short- and medium-term priorities be split to differentiate issues of a regional common interest from priorities related specifically to a subregion or a specific domain. Identified priority activities will thus constitute components of the CAQ short- and medium-term programme.

45. Consequently, the Committee formed two working groups to outline these two sets of priorities. The first group was requested to identify potential regional aquaculture proposals to specify the medium-term programme of CAQ. The second group was requested to identify activities which may fit specific subregional needs.

46. The following items were identified by the first group as important issues: a) access to a common market; b) development of regional common/standard regulations (e.g., traceability, food safety) taking into consideration existing EU regulations; c) adoption of a guaranteed safety and quality level for the Mediterranean aquaculture products throughout the region; d) promotion of the image of regional aquaculture production; e) improvement of knowledge on the biology of the bluefin tuna (e.g., reproduction) and f) seminars and workshops to facilitate assessments and consideration by countries.

47. In addition, it was agreed that the regional standards to be developed should not constitute any trade barrier to the producing countries.

48. The second working group emphasized the need to develop marine aquaculture in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region through the creation of an on-the-job training centre in the El Arish area (Sinai, Egypt). This centre would organize thematic trainings (e.g., development of cage mariculture, hatchery) in order to train rural small-scale fishermen of the region. The group also proposed a pilot feed mill in Morocco and a regional centre for bluefin tuna reproduction in Tunisia. It was suggested that the preliminary feasibility studies be funded by the GFCM autonomous budget for the three proposals.

49. Several delegations supported these proposals and, more generally, the development of cooperative projects among the Mediterranean regions and ensuring synergies among them.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AD HOC MEETING OF EXPERTS ON THE EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE AND ITS NETWORKS

50. The Chairperson of the Committee introduced this agenda item and summarized the conclusions and recommendations of the Ad Hoc Expert Meeting on the External Evaluation of the CAQ and its Networks, which was held from 29 to 30 March 2004 in Rome, Italy, as requested by the Twenty-eighth Session of GFCM. The details are contained in documents GFCM:CAQ/IV/2004/4 and GFCM:CAQ/IV/2004/Inf.12.

51. The evaluation strongly recommended that the GFCM member countries should reinforce the role of the CAQ and its Networks and define activities to promote the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean.

52. The Committee endorsed the recommendations made in the report of the experts on the external review. In particular, it stressed that the CAQ should remain an independent entity from the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and should be reinforced through a more precise mandate and an adequate share of the GFCM autonomous budget to support and direct the activities of its networks and to strengthen the synergies among them, particularly on strategic issues of regional importance. The Committee also recommended that the SIPAM National Coordinators’ meetings should continue to be held on an annual basis (see also paragraph 61).

53. Finally, the Committee reaffirmed the importance of aquaculture for the sustainable economic development in the Mediterranean and reiterated that the CAQ and its Networks needed to be adequately funded in the context of the GFCM autonomous budget due to the relevance of the activities identified.

54. Specific recommendations were also endorsed concerning strengthening TECAM, SELAM and EAM (Environment and Aquaculture in the Mediterranean) networks. These included the re-establishment of the EAM and broadening the scope of activities to discuss issues of strategic and regional importance. In addition, GFCM Members were invited to enhance their support to the Networks by providing additional resources and by mobilizing the aquaculture institutions within their countries.

55. The external review provided, and the Committee endorsed, guidance towards strengthening SIPAM which included:

• in addition to providing financial support, GFCM should authorize SIPAM to solicit other sources of funding;

• disbanding of the SIPAM Coordination Committee with its duties assumed by the SIPAM Regional Centre;

• establishment of a clear operational structure including written Terms of Reference for the National Coordinators in the context of the new GFCM structure;

• to provide national coordinators with an institutional mandate and adequate budget at national level to carry out their activities; and

• focus on strengthening the information already contained in SIPAM as opposed to developing new databases or expanding to new members.

56. With specific regards to the Terms of Reference (TORs) of the SIPAM National Coordinators, the Secretariat invited the delegates to review the TORs attached in appendix to the working document GFCM:CAQ/IV/2004/5. The Committee endorsed the TORs with no modifications (see Appendix D).

57. The Committee also requested the Secretariat to draft the TORs for TECAM, SELAM and EAM to be submitted at the next CAQ Session.

58. It was also noted that although TECAM had undertaken many training activities there existed a need for more analytical activities focused on CAQ priorities.

59. The delegation from Egypt proposed the establishment of a small-scale education and training centre for marine aquaculture for the development of mariculture and associated human development (see paragraph 48). This proposed centre could focus on issues of special relevance to the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean regions including outreach and the provision of training. Egypt would provide land and manpower but would request cooperation and financial support for this initiative.

PROPOSED PROGRAMME OF WORK 2004 - 2006 AND BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

60. The discussion of the Proposed Programme of Work 2004 - 2006 of the Committee was based on document GFCM:CAQ/IV/2004/5.

61. The SIPAM Regional Coordinator presented a proposal for the work programme of the Network taking into account the recommendations made during the Seventh SIPAM Annual Meeting. The programme emphasized the need for improving the flow of information between Members and the Regional Centre through a major commitment by the participating countries and enhanced support to their National Coordinator. During the intersessional period, the interaction with other information systems (e.g., AAPQIS, GLOBEFISH) dealing with aquaculture should be consolidated. The development and further improvement of the SIPAM website and structural simplification of the existing databases were presented as the main activities for the next workplan. To consolidate the operation of the Network, the Committee reiterated that the National Coordinators’ Meeting of the Network should be held on an annual basis.

62. The importance of the SIPAM Network in supplying updated market information requested by the GFCM member countries was emphasized. The Committee agreed to organize two joint meetings, one between SIPAM and SELAM to undertake market analysis on seabass and seabream, and a second one between SIPAM and TECAM on fish disease.

63. The observer from CIHEAM presented suggestions for the workplan for 2004 - 2006 for SELAM and TECAM, comprising the organization of seven courses and seminars. Due to the limited resources that the CIHEAM and the FAO Fisheries Department can offer for the implementation of the activities of the Networks, the observer from CIHEAM insisted on the importance of securing additional funds (an amount equal to USD 62 500, or 25% of the total, was specified) that should be eventually considered by the GFCM autonomous budget. This was supported by the Committee, pending clarifications on the modus operandi of SELAM and TECAM.

64. The Committee recommended that GFCM at its next session consider that the other FAO regional projects address the issue of interaction between capture fisheries and aquaculture according to the methodology applied in AdriaMed.

65. The re-establishment of EAM activities was recommended by the Committee. It was agreed that the first step should be to organize a meeting of experts who will identify the main activities and work programme of this network.

66. The delegate from Italy expressed willingness to finance a workshop in FAO, Rome, on coastal lagoon management and its interaction with artisanal fisheries.

67. It was also noted that Italy and France will make a joint effort to organize the proposed workshops on indicators on sustainability for aquaculture to be held in 2005.

68. It was proposed and agreed that an estimated amount in the range of US$ 245 000 be included in the future GFCM autonomous budget for the programme of work of the CAQ in 2004 to 2006 (details attached as Appendix E in accordance to paragraph 53).

69. In addition, the Committee recommended that at its Extraordinary Session, the Commission consider the establishment of a post for an Aquaculture Officer in the new GFCM Secretariat.

ANY OTHER MATTERS

70. The Committee was informed that the next European Aquaculture Society (EAS) Conference will be held in Barcelona, Spain, in October 2004 and the joint EAS - WAS Conference will be held in Florence, Italy, in 2006. Active participation from the Mediterranean countries was encouraged.

DATE AND PLACE OF THE FIFTH SESSION

71. The document GFCM:CAQ/IV/2004/6 presented a historical overview of the organizational aspects of hosting previous sessions and recalled the related responsibilities and financial implications for both FAO and Members.

72. The delegate from Spain offered to host the next Session of CAQ in Madrid, Spain, in mid-2006. The exact date of the Fifth Session will be agreed upon in due course.

ADOPTION OF THE REPORT

73. The report was adopted on Wednesday, 9 June 2004.

APPENDIXES

A: Agenda

1. Opening of the Session

2. Adoption of the Agenda and Arrangements for the Session

3. Status of the Autonomous Budget and Recommendations of the Twenty-Seventh and Twenty-Eighth Sessions of GFCM

4. Progress of Mediterranean aquaculture since the Third Session of the Committee on Aquaculture

5. Activities of the Committee on Aquaculture in the intersessional period 2002 - 2004

• GFCM/ICCAT Ad Hoc Working Group on Bluefin Tuna Farming

• Information Systems for the Promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean Network (SIPAM)

• Technology of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (TECAM) and Socio-Economic and Legal Aspects of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SELAM) Networks

• Interaction between capture fisheries and aquaculture

• Review of the regional aquaculture project proposal

6. Conclusions and Recommendations of the Ad Hoc Meeting of Experts on the External Evaluation of the Committee on Aquaculture and its Networks

7. Proposed programme of work 2004 - 2006 and budget implications

8. Any other matters

9. Date and place of the Fifth Session

10. Adoption of the report

B: List of Participants

MEMBERS OF GFCM/MEMBRES DE LA CGPM

ALBANIA/ALBANIE

ALGERIA/ALGÉRIE

Abdel Kader BOUNOUNI
Directeur aquaculture
Ministère de la pêche et des ressources halieutiques
Rue 4 Canons
Alger
Tel: +213-21-433164, 711712
Fax: +213-21-433187, 433938
Email: [email protected]

BULGARIA/BULGARIE

Erman ZANKOV
Executive Director
Bulgarian National Fisheries and
Aquaculture Agency (NAFA)
17 Hristo Botev Blvd.
1606 Sofia
Tel: +359-2-9530241, 9526108
Fax: +359-2-9515718
Email: [email protected]

Anton DOTCHEV
Head, International Relations Department
Bulgarian National Fisheries and
Aquaculture Agency (NAFA)
17 Hristo Botev Blvd.
1606 Sofia
Tel: +359-2-9530241, 9526108
Fax: +359-2-9515718
Email: [email protected]

CROATIA/CROATIA

Vlasta FRANIÈEVIÆ (Ms)
Senior Advisor
Directorate of Fisheries
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Bartola Kašiæa 3, 23000 Zadar
Tel: +385-23-212204
Fax: +385-23-212204
Email: [email protected]

CYPRUS/CHYPRE

Daphne STEPHANOU (Ms)
Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment
Loukis Akritas Avenue
CY-1411 Nicosia
Tel: +357-2-2408329
Fax: +357-2-2781156
Email: [email protected]

EGYPT/ÉGYPTE
Talaat Nasr El-DIN
Chairman
General Authority of Fisheries Resources
Development (GAFRD)
4, Tayran Street
Nasr City, Cairo
Tel: +20-2-2620117
Fax: +20-2-2620117
Email: [email protected]

Magdy ABBAS SALEH
General Manager for Research and Development
General Authority of Fisheries Resources
Development (GAFRD)
4, Tayran Street
Nasr City, Cairo
Tel: +20-2-2620117
Fax: +20-2-2620117
Email: [email protected]

Mariam MOUSA (Ms)
Minister Plenipotentiary for Agricultural Affairs
Deputy Permanent Representative of Egypt to UN Agencies in Rome
Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Via Salaria 267
I-00199 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39-06-8548956
Fax: +39-06-8542603
Email: [email protected]

Izzat AWADH
President of the National Institute for
Marine Science and Fisheries
101 Kaser El Einy Street
Cairo
Tel: +20-2-7921341
Fax: +20-2-7921341
Email: [email protected]

Ali E. ABDELGHANY
Central Laboratory of Aquaculture
Research Abbassa
Ministry of Agriculture
Abouhammad, Sharkia
Tel: +20-55-3401027
Fax: +20-55-3460498
Email: [email protected]

Mounir ABDEL WAHAB
General Manager for Agreements
General Authority of Fisheries Resources
Development (GAFRD)
4, Tayran Street
Nasr City, Cairo
Tel: +20-2-2620117
Fax: +20-2-2620117
Email: [email protected]

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY - MEMBER ORGANIZATION/COMMUNAUTÉ EUROPÉENNE - ORGANISATION MEMBRE

Constantin VAMVAKAS
Chef d’Unité “Aquaculture”
Direction générale de la pêche
Commission européenne
J-II 99, 2/91
B-1049 Bruxelles, Belgique
Tel: +32-2-2955784
Fax: +32-2-2968379
Email: [email protected]

FRANCE

Philippe LEMERCIER
Directeur, Affaires internationales
Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (IFREMER)
155, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
F-92128 Issy-les-Moulineaux
Tel: +33-1-46482229
Fax: +33-1-46482188
Email: [email protected]

François RENÉ
Laboratoire de recherche piscicole de Méditerranée
Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (IFREMER)
Station d’expérimentation en aquaculture
Chemin de Maguelone
F-34250 Palavas-les-Flots
Tel: +33-4-67504104
Fax: +33-4-67682885
Email: [email protected]

Jean-Paul BLANCHETON
Laboratoire de recherche piscicole de Méditerranée
Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (IFREMER)
Station d’expérimentation en aquaculture
Chemin de Maguelone
F-34250 Palavas-les-Flots
Tel: +33-4-67504112
Fax: +33-4-67682885
Email: [email protected]

GREECE/GRÈCE

Spyros KLAOUDATOS
Assoc. Professor in Thessaly University
Ministry of Agriculture of Greece
Fytokoy Street, Volos
Magnisia 38446
Tel: +302-4210-93145
Fax: +302-10-8991738
Email: [email protected]

ISRAEL/ISRAËL

ITALY/ITALIE

Riccardo RIGILLO
General Directorate for Fisheries and Aquaculture
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies
Viale dell’Arte 16
I-00144 Rome
Tel: +39-06-59084746
Fax: +39-06-59084050
Email: [email protected]

Stefano CATAUDELLA
Dipartimento di Biologia
Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”
Via della Ricerca Scientifica
I-00133 Rome
Tel: +39-06-2026187
Fax: +39-06-2026189
Email: [email protected]

Carla IANDOLI (Ms)
Istituto Centrale per la Ricerca Scientifica Applicata al Mare (ICRAM)
Via Casalotti 300
I-00162 Rome
Tel: +39-06-61570447
Fax: +39-06-61561906
Email: [email protected]

JAPAN/JAPON

LEBANON/LIBAN

LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA/LIBYE

Nuri Ibrahim HASAN
H.E. Ambassador
Permanent Representative of Libya to FAO
Via Nomentana 365
I-00186 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39-06-8603880
Fax: +39-06-8603880
Email: [email protected]

MALTA/MALTE

MONACO

MOROCCO/MAROC

Nourdine EL HAMDANI
Chef de Division de la structure des pêches
Ministère de la pêche maritime
Quartier Administratif
BP 476 Agdal, Rabat
Tel: +212-37-688218/19
Fax: +212-37-688302
Email: [email protected]

Abdellatif ORBI
Chef du Département océanographie et aquaculture
Institut national de recherche halieutique
2, Rue Tiznit
Casablanca
Tel: +212-22-298534
Fax: +212-22-266967
Email: [email protected]

Mohamed EL AHDAL
Institut national de recherche halieutique
2, Rue de Tiznit
Casablanca
Tel: +212-22-200849
Fax: +212-22-266967
Email: [email protected]

ROMANIA/ROUMANIE

SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO/SERBIE ET MONTÉNÉGRO

SLOVENIA/SLOVÉNIE

SPAIN/ESPAGNE

Laura PASCUAL (Ms)
Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación
Secretaria General de Pesca Marítima c/José Ortega y Gasset, 57
28006 Madrid
Tel: +34-91-3476203
Fax: +34-91-3476054
Email: [email protected]

Paloma CARBALLO (Ms)
Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación
Secretaría General de Pesca Marítima c/José Ortega y Gasset, 57
28006 Madrid
Tel: +34-91-3476071
Fax: +34-91-3476046
Email: [email protected]

SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC/SYRIE

Safwan KARIM
Chief of Aquaculture Section
Department of Fishery Resources
Directorate of Animal Production
P. O. Box 60721
Damascus
Tel: +963-11-5424760
Fax: +963-11-5424760
Email: [email protected]

TUNISIA/TUNISIE

Slaheddine DHAOUI
Directeur général pêche
Ministère de l’agriculture, de l’environment et des ressources hydrauliques
30 rue Alain Savary
1002 Tunis
Tel: +216-71-892253
Fax: +216-71-799401
Email: [email protected]

Mohamed HADJ ALI SALEM
SIPAM Regional Coordinator
Ministère de l’agriculture, de l’environnement et des ressources hydrauliques
30 rue Alain Savary
1002 Tunis
Tel: +216-71-784979
Fax: +216-71-793962
Email: [email protected]

TURKEY/TURQUIE

Cevdet AKDENIZ
Deputy General
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Milli Mudafa cd No. 20/9
Ankara
Tel: +90-312-4250429
Fax: +90-312-4252016
Email: [email protected]

OBSERVERS FROM INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS/OBSERVATEURS D’ORGANISATIONS INTERGOUVERNEMENTALES

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ADVANCED MEDITERRANEAN AGRONOMIC STUDIES/CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DES HAUTES ÉTUDES AGRONOMIQUES MÉDITERRANNÉES (CIHEAM)

Bernardo BASURCO DE LARA
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of
Zaragoza (IAMZ)
Avda. de Montañana 1005
E-50059 Zaragoza
Spain
Tel: +34-976-716000
Fax: +34-976-716001
Email: [email protected]

FAO

Fisheries Department/Département des pêches
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
I-00100 Rome

GFCM SECRETARIAT/SECRÉTARIAT DE LA CGPM

Jiansan JIA
Chief/Chef
Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture
Service/Service des ressources des eaux intérieures et de l’aquaculture
Fishery Resources Division/Division des ressources halieutiques
Tel: +39-06-57055007
Fax: +39-06-57053020
Email: [email protected]

Alain BONZON
GFCM Secretary/Secrétaire de la CGPM
Senior Fishery Liaison Officer/
Fonctionnaire principal de liaison (pêches)
International Institutions and Liaison
Service/Service des institutions internationales et de liaison
Tel: +39-06-57056441
Fax: +39-06-57056500
Email: [email protected]

Alessandro LOVATELLI
CAQ Technical Secretary/Secrétaire technique du CAQ
Fishery Resources Officer (Aquaculture)/
Spécialiste des ressources halieutiques (aquaculture)
Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture
Service/Service des ressources des eaux intérieures et de l’aquaculture
Fishery Resources Division/Division des ressources halieutiques
Tel: +39-06-57056448
Fax: +39-06-57053020
Email: [email protected]

Salvatore COPPOLA
Senior Fishery Resources Officer/
Fonctionnaire principal (ressources halieutiques)
MedFisis Programme Coordinator
Marine Resources Service/Service des ressources marines
Fishery Resources Division/Division des ressources halieutiques
Tel: +39-06-57053034
Fax: +39-06-57053020
Email: [email protected]

Valerio CRESPI
Fishery Resources Officer/Spécialiste des ressources halieutiques
Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture
Service/Service des ressources des eaux intérieures et de l’aquaculture
Fishery Resources Division/Division des ressources halieutiques
Tel: +39-06-57055617
Fax: +39-06-57053020
Email: [email protected]

Alan LOWTHER
Fishery Statistician (Aquaculture)/
Statisticien des pêches (aquaculture)
Fishery Information, Data and Statistics
Unit/Unité de l’information, des données et des statistiques sur les pêches
Tel: +39-06-57054029
Fax: +39-06-57052476
Email: [email protected]

Raschad AL-KHAFAJI
Meetings Officer/Chargé de réunion
International Institutions and Liaison
Service/Service des institutions internationales et de liaison
Tel: +39-06-57055105
Fax: +39-06-57056500
Email: [email protected]

Laura PANZERA-SCHLINGLOFF (Ms)
Secretary/Secrétaire
Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture
Service/Service des ressources des eaux intérieures et de l’aquaculture
Fishery Resources Division/Division des ressources halieutiques
Tel: +39-06-57056165
Fax: +39-06-57053020
Email: [email protected]

ADRIAMED and MEDSUDMED Projects/Projets ADRIAMED et MEDSUDMED

Fabio MASSA
Project Director/Directeur de projet
Corso Umberto I, 30
I-86039 Termoli (CB)
Italy
Tel: +39-0875-708252
Fax: +39-0875-720065
Email: [email protected]

FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE NEAR EAST/BUREAU RÉGIONAL POUR LE PROCHE-ORIENT

Mohammad SAIF ABDULLAH
Senior Fisheries Officer/Fonctionnaire principal des pêches
RECOFI Secretary/Secrétaire de la RECOFI
11 Al Eslah El Zerai Street
P. O. Box 2223
Dokki, Cairo
Tel: +20-2-3316000
Fax: +20-2-7495981
Email: [email protected]

C: List of Documents

D: Terms of Reference - SIPAM National Coordinator

Recognizing each government’s commitment to SIPAM within the aegis of the GFCM, and the full support of his/her supervisors, the duties of SIPAM National Coordinator^[2] shall include (but not be confined to):

1. Establishing and leading a central SIPAM national office for the purpose of collecting national data, information and news on all aspects of aquaculture.

2. Establishing and coordinating a series of SIPAM sub-offices at suitable locations^[3] to collect appropriate information for transfer to the SIPAM national office.

3. In conjunction with the SIPAM Regional Centre, preparing annual SIPAM work programmes that provides clear staff time allotment for all current SIPAM activities, for approval by his/her government.

4. Preparing annual draft budgets for all national SIPAM activities, including essential national and international travel, for submission for government funding.

5. Collecting, verifying/validating, collating and analysing the information from the SIPAM sub-offices and transferring it, on a monthly basis, to the SIPAM Regional Centre.

6. Generating, without prompting from the SIPAM Regional Centre, original news items about the current activities and future prospects of the national aquaculture sector.

7. With the approval of his/her supervisor, attending such regional meetings as shall be agreed with the Regional Centre.

8. Assisting the Regional Centre in identifying and soliciting potential non-governmental and private sources of funding to support the SIPAM network.

9. Fully publicizing the existence and value of the information contained in the SIPAM web site to the private sector and within his/her government, as well as in relevant institutions such as universities and provide guidance in the use of the SIPAM website.

10. On a continuing basis, suggesting ways in which SIPAM can be improved.

11. Conduct continuous internal evaluation of the efficacy of information dispersal by SIPAM on a national level^[4] in order to improve future services.

12. Assisting the promotion and success of SIPAM in any other way as shall be requested, from time to time, by the SIPAM Regional Coordinator.

E: Workplan for the intersessional period of the Committee on Aquaculture (2004 - 2006)

Committee meetings

Activities SIPAM Network

Activities TECAM/SELAM Networks

Based on the availability of technical resources and combined funding of CIHEAM-IAMZ and the GFCM as well as on the potential interest of other partners/donors (e.g., EAS, EU, national institutions) the proposed workplan may require small changes and possibly include other activities also identified by the Networks Coordination Committee Meeting

BACK COVER

The fourth session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Committee on Aquaculture (CAQ) was held in Alexandria, Egypt, from 7 to 9 June 2004 and was attended by delegates from fifteen Members of the Commission. The session reviewed the status of aquaculture in the region and the activities of the networks linked to the Committee. While the Committee acknowledged that the updated regional aquaculture project proposal included objectives that focused on activities considered relevant to the region, it recognized that regional differences made it difficult to prepare a single project that could be endorsed by all Members as well as attract donor support. It was thus suggested to split priorities separating issues of a regional interest from priorities related specifically to a subregion. The Committee approved the proposed workplan and recommended the re-establishement of the former CAQ network on Environment and Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (EAM) and to broaden the scope of activities of the other networks. The Committee reviewed the expert report on the external evaluation of the CAQ and its networks and recommended that the CAQ remain an independent entity and be further reinforced. It was also agreed that the CAQ needed an adequate share of the GFCM autonomous budget to support its activities.