22. The Secretariat introduced document CIFA/83/5 and the following main points were raised:
23. Aquaculture statistics - The present statistics afford only a very rough estimate of aquaculture production. The need therefore exists for the African countries to establish a viable system for the collection of aquaculture statistics necesary for planning of aquaculture development on a national and regional scale.
24. Nature of the aquaculture organization - Small-scale rural aquaculture had been successful in a few countries. In general, it had concerned subsistence fish farming, artisanal exploitation being still not common. Large-scale industrial enterprises have been established and operate successfully on a commercial basis in about ten cases only. Others either exist but have not yet demonstrated their economic viability, or are being planned.
25. Main constraints to development - Most of the past failures of aquaculture development so far can be explained by the lack of qualified personnel, the lack of an adequate infrastructure and the absence of a government policy specifically aimed at this form of development. The necessary financial and legal supports at industrial scale have been seldom received. One of the main handicaps is still the regular availability of large numbers of fry as well as their efficient distribution in the rural area.
26. Aquaculture training - Bilingual training of senior staff is being conducted at the African Regional Aquaculture Centre at Port Harcourt, Nigeria, with FAO technical assistance. Practical training of junior personnel is being given in several FAO/UNDP projects for small-scale aquaculture development. Additional efforts are required to keep pace with the accelerated rate of development.
27. Aquaculture research - Semi-intensive culture of tilapia in earthern freshwater ponds has been recognized as a priority topic, its socio-economic aspects being particularly important. New tendencies are emerging with regard to fish feeding, the competition having recently increased in the use of agricultural by products for animal husbandry.
28. External financial assistance - It mainly concerns rural fish farming development, relatively little support being granted for the establishment of the infrastructure necessary to the sound development of the industry. A growing number of agencies provide assistance which can result in lack of coordination, duplication of efforts and waste of resources. Fishing aspects generally have too few resources and are being planned for too short a duration.
29. Recommendations
Member countries should establish a viable system for the collection of aquaculture statistics;
Incentives should be provided for aquaculture development both at the small-scale and at the large-scale level. Such incentives should include a well-organized extension service, adequate financial support and an adapted legislation;
External financial assistance should become more concerned with the establishment of the necessary infrastructure. It should give additional support to the training of competent staff and to adaptive applied research;
Future assistance should be improved concentrating financial resources on a few selected projects and ensuring that the different aids are complementary, with all of them contributing to the execution of a well-defined national development plan;
Priority should be given to cultural systems in which feeding is based on plant proteins, non-protein nitrogen, carbohydrates and fats, the increased use of organic fertilization being strongly encouraged. The association of fish farming with all forms of animal husbandry should be developed wherever possible.
Priority should be given to the establishment of a master plan for aquaculture development where it does not exist.
