ANNEX I
LIBFISH AQUA WORKSHOP & SITE VISIT TIMETABLE,
24 – 30 NOVEMBER 1994

libfish aquaculture workshop 24–30. 11.94 -- timetable

Venue Tajura (MBRC)

ANNEX 2
LIBFISH AQUA WORKSHOP SESSIONS,
26 – 28 NOVEMBER 1994

ANNEX 3
LIBFISH AQUA WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS,
26 – 28 NOVEMBER 1994

ANNEX 4
TERMS OF REFERENCE,
LIBFISH AQUA WORKSHOP AND SITE VISIT MISSION (AGIUS),
24 – 30 NOVEMBER 1994

During this mission, the consultant should, in close cooperation with LIBFISH Project staff and with the direct support of the Sn. Aquaculture advisor:

1. Finalise the programme of training in fish hatchery techniques to he organised in Malta next February.
2. Provide training lectures to MBRC and SMW staff on fundamentals of aquaculture as per proposed programme.

3. Visit the Aquaculture Institute and the Ain Kaam fish farm to inspect facilities and review management practices and submit recommendations for

   -   Fish shrimp disease prevention

   -   Broodstock keeping.

4. Hold meetings with relevant SMW, Aquaculture Institute and MBRC officials to develop a programme of cooperation between Libya and Malta in the field of aquaculture.

ANNEX 5
NOTES OF FIELD VISITS, LIBFISH AQUA COMPONENT MISSION (AGIUS),
24 – 30 NOVEMBER 1994*

Based on notes prepared by Dr. C. Agius, Director, National Aquaculture Centre, Malta.

1. MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH CENTRE, TAJURA

1.1 General Observations

The Centre is superbly located on the coast on very flat ground only a few metres above sea level. This is a very spacious building with considerable potential for aquaculture research and development. A reasonably well stocked reference library is also maintained. It seems that there have been several attempts in the past to establish an on-going research programme in aquaculture but little long-term achievement has been realised.

Currently the LIBFISH Project is trying very hard to reinvigorate the Centre's research and technical programme, including that related to aquaculture. There is interest in working on new species (i.e. species other than sea bass and sea bream whose spawning and culture technology is established on a commercial scale) through capture of wild fry and nursing them in fibreglass tanks. Small scale live food production has also been initiated.

1.2 Problems Noted

The Centre suffers from several serious shortcomings that should be urgently addressed if effective research and technical work in aquaculture is to be carried out.

1.2.1 Water supply

The main sea water supply system is totally defunct. In any case the system was designed for an experimental marine biology station and if serious aquaculture work is to be undertaken a system with a much higher capacity of daily sea water delivery should be installed. A complete new system of pumps, aeration system etc, is needed including a more modern, easy to dismantle plumbing system. The latter would enable regular cleaning, disinfection etc. Refurbishing the existing system is simply not recommended. Indeed it may cost more than installing a new system and be less efficient.

The water intake is far from adequate. A dual 20 cm pipeline going out to at least 8 to 10 metres depth needs to be installed. This would ensure the drawing of good quality water even in rough sea conditions when turbid water could be drawn unless the inlet is well sited.

Thought should be given to drill some boreholes between the MBRC building and the shore. This would give sea water with constant temperature which would be very useful for hatchery and other operations requiring warmer waters in the winter months and cooler water in the summer months. Borehole water there should have a year-round constant temperature of 20°C.

The present recycling system needs redesigning. A central aeration system has to be installed. Water and air supply are vital and these must be available round-the-clock in considerable quantities. The concept is therefore quite different from that of a marine biology station where a few hours of pumping daily and subsequent re-use is normally sufficient.

Consequently the pumping system should have adequate stand-by pump capacity as well as a stand-by power generator for when electricity fails. A system of alarms and temperature / oxygen sensors should also be fitted in strategic points in the system to warn of pump failure and sudden changes in temperature or drop in oxygen levels.

1.2.2 Rearing and laboratory facilities

The indoor area available for animal keeping should be split into fisheries/ aquaculture activities and activities in all other areas of marine biology.

1.2.3 Hatchery and holding installations

The mainstay of the aquaculture activities should be a marine hatchery with a capacity of production of around 200,000 sea bass and sea bream fingerlings annually. This should include all the necessary components, i.e. broodstock, live food production, larval rearing and nursery facilities and should be managed and operated on a semi-commercial basis in order to act as a training ground for personnel in a spectrum of disciplines, i.e. technical, managerial, etc. It would also be used for various aspects of research and development work particularly in the field of new species with potential for commercial exploitation in Libya.

Other installations should include a number of fish holding systems in order to enable various research projects to be carried out, e.g. nutrition experiments, disease prevention work, etc.

The running of a hatchery at this high level of activity will ensure the continued availability of live feed for experimenting with the various kinds of marine species.

1.2.4 Laboratories

Most of the basic equipment seems to be available but improvements are needed particularly in maintenance, prompt provision of consumables and updating staff on modern analytical / diagnostic techniques. There is a critical need to develop laboratory technological expertise / strengths in key areas of aquaculture, notably fish nutrition, reproduction and pathology.

1.3 Human Resources

Direction and motivation have to be considerably improved if the output by the scientific and technical staff is to reach a desirable level. It appears that although a number of MBRC senior staff have completed advanced degree studies either within Libya or abroad, they have since spent a considerable number of years inactively rooted to their desks, and have lost touch with the rapid developments that Mediterranean marine aquaculture has achieved in the last decade. Younger staff need to be encouraged and given a motivation to pursue actively their careers in aquaculture. There is a fundamental need to change the attitude of the traditional research marine biologist into one of a blend between pure and applied research which sees the end product in a semi- or fully commercial application of the laboratory research,

2. AIN KAAM, KHOMS

Ain Kaam Farm is administered by the Aquaculture Institute and has terms of reference that fully commit its activities towards the development of the aquaculture industry. Many of the fundamental points discussed for MBRC apply for Ain Kaam. The farm should however engage in production on a larger scale, at the same time being provided with technological improvements emanating from what should be a more research-oriented MBRC. Ain Kaam should aim to develop a marine hatchery facility capable of producing 1 million sea bass/sea bream fingerlings per annum with associated broodstock facilities, live feed production, larval rearing, and nursery facilities. The facilities should be flexible enough to cater for research into new species of commercial potential for the Mediterranean.

Other aquaculture facilities should include semi-commercial model systems of culture of species with potential for Libya. Examples include shrimp farming and tilapia culture.

The existing hatchery facility, aquarium room and outdoor ponds need complete modernisation and considerable expansion. A new water supply and dram system is needed which should be designed to accommodate imminent and future demands. A new central aeration system as well as new electrical and electronic alarm systems are essential.

3. PROJECT EXECUTION

3.1 General strategy

The suggestions made here require very substantial investment in time and financial resources and it is recommended that an overall strategy is first adopted as outlined above. The next stage would be to prioritise requirements and execute them following the drawing up of a detailed report inclusive of the minute technical details for each particular job. In this way whilst the work is done in a piecemeal way, the puzzle will come together in the end to give a functional project. Concomitantly the human resource sector is also developed to the required standard to enable it run the project efficiently.

3.2 Short-term objectives

As well as the long term objectives there are a number of short term objectives that would complete both any long term plans and the LIBFISH Project which is coming up for review in the very near future. These include:

1. Training of personnel in fish hatchery techniques;

2. Provision of stock cultures of live food;

3. Provision of one-day old larvae of sea bream to gain experience with handling them;

4. Possibly provision of some brood fish to be self-sufficient in egg / larval procurement;

5. Training of personnel in fish pathology and possibly fish nutrition;

6. Small-scale refurbishment to accommodate the foregoing short-term requirements. The latter point has to be tackled with extreme care as they could prove very complicated and costly and it may be worthwhile to incorporate the long term requirements straight away in order to avoid duplication of effort and expense. This would apply particularly to the water supply and recirculation system.

4. FARWA LAGOON

4.1 Current Status

Farwa Lagoon was visited in order to evaluate its suitability for supporting fish farming activities. Lagoons are generally speaking very interesting ecosystems, being highly productive and important nursery grounds for many species. They are however also very fragile environments and human intervention can have pronounced irreversible effects on them.

Farwa Lagoon is extremely shallow and the marine flora and fauna has already been stressed by a number of factors. The most noteworthy would appear to be:

1. The chemical plant at the eastern end;

2. The increased human population on its shores consequent upon increased employment opportunities created by the chemical plant; this could lead to increased incidence of sewage outflows;

3. The blocking of the eastern connection with the open sea;

4. Continuous dredging that increases the level of suspended matter in the water, with its negative effects on all forms of life.

5. Overfishing.

4.2 Recommendations

Recommended action in the first instance would be to minimise the above impacts and restore water circulation exactly back to its original state. It is doubtful that current efforts to open to new connection will be a satisfactory substitute. Indeed it is if anything causing further damage by siltation, as already explained.

Once restored to its original state the lagoon could be used for extensive-type aquaculture activities to minimise ecosystem disturbance. The use of cages for any type of intensive or even semi-intensive culture should not even be considered as the topography and hydrodynamics of the lagoon would not support (biologically that is) such an activity. The risks of algal blooms which usually result in total mortalities would be very high. Whether the utilisation of the lagoon on an extensive basis would be economically justifiable needs to be very carefully considered.

ANNEX 6
LIBFISH AQUACULTURE WORKSHOP,
EXECUTIVE BRIEFING

	LIB/88/009--TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT—GCP/LIB/021/IsDB.
	<PROJECT LIBFISH>	<RV NOUR>
	NOTE-TO-FILE

Executive Briefing for senior SMW/AI/MBRC Administrative and Technical officials.
Meeting held at MBRC on 29 November 1994,10.45.
Purpose of the meeting: to discuss Prof. Agius' findings and recommendations.

Participants:
Prof. C. Agius, FAO Consultant, Head of Malta NAC.
Dr. D.S. Dawid, MBRC Director General.
S. Gashut, MBRC.
N. El Kebir, MBRC (on study leave to NAC, Malta).
Eng. Bashir R. Abujnah, Secretary of Adm. Committee for Aquac. Dev. Institute.
Mohamed I. Ezorgani, AI.
Mugasbi Abdulfattah, AI.
Ibrahim Barbash, AI.
Dr. E. Reynolds, LIBFISH Project Manager.
Dr. F. Vallet, LIBFISH Sen. Aquaculture Specialist.

No SMW Representative attended the meeting.

POINTS OF DISCUSSION

1. Professor Agius thanked the participants for the good organization of both his visit and the workshop. He then made the following remarks.

2. There is tremendous potential for aquaculture in Libya. Infrastructure already exists at MBRC and AI, through it has to be improved. However, Libyan officials should answer fundamental questions: (i) why develop aquaculture and what are the objectives? (ii) which type of aquaculture is needed?

3. Lagoons

   There are few lagoons in Libya and it is essential to use them properly. The potential for aquaculture in lagoons is limited. Industrial operations inside lagoons are not really suitable. Extensive or semi-intensive farming only is possible, not more.

   There are risks in using lagoons at intensive levels. In lagoons, conditions of: salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen can be extreme and this creates limiting factors. Furthermore, intensive systems produce wastes which cannot be assimilated by the natural system due to environmental constraints.

   Thus, the major risks in lagoons are red tides due to high organic load and change of temperature. (Dr. Dawid stated that such red tides occur from time to time in Farwa lagoon where no farming system yet exists). Lagoons should be protected from pollution. For instance, Farwa lagoon is affected by the chemical plant, the closure of the natural eastern communication with the sea and, finally, by the increase of the surrounding population. If water quality deteriorates, Posidonia grass will disappear and the lagoon will die. A new canal is being dug between the lagoon and the sea, but the site has not been properly selected and the canal itself will be filled up by sand shortly after its completion.

   It is also necessary to study the economical aspect of the development of a lagoon. How much can the system produce and at which cost? After answering this question, it will be realized that one single offshore cage can produce more than Farwa Lagoon.

4. MBRC and Ain Kaam Farm

   These two organizations should have a complementary programme:

   • MBRC is more oriented towards research and all the scientific work should be done here.

   • Ain Kaam is more practical and should be oriented towards extension and cooperative programmes with industry.

   One major change in the operation of the existing aquaculture facilities should be accepted: for fish farming, continuous water supply is necessary, mainly to keep constant temperature. A proper pumping system is essential. It is important to have both a borehole providing water at constant temperature all year round and a pipeline in the sea. Without a proper water system, any aquaculture farm is virtually certain to collapse.

   Future programme:

   • MBRC: with assistance through a project, main objectives should be (i) aquaculture technology, (ii) pathology, (iii) new species (Sea bass/bream have already been established at an industrial level in many countries and therefore it is necessary to experiment on different new species) and (iv) training.

   • Ain Kaam: should be a pilot unit aimed at demonstrating aquaculture techniques for industry operators and investors. At the farm, it is important to have a high level of hygiene and maintenance. Furthermore, the electrical system is dangerous and should be replaced. The floor must be improved. A new building - or an extension of the actual one - is needed to operate at a reasonable scale.

5. Staff and training

   Aquaculture involves dealing with livestock. It requires constant attention and dedicated people. There is no need for very highly educated people who could be frustrated by permanently executing manual work. Requirements are mainly of secondary school level with good practical skills. A few graduates are needed for research, pathology and study of new species. During my mission, I have seen many different people. Some seem to be very keen, others not so dedicated. It is essential to identify young active people and then to train them in one specialty (live feed or hatchery or nursery).

6. Development

   If the country is to develop industrial aquaculture, it should (i) strengthen on-going activities at MBRC and Ain Kaam, and then (ii) go to large-scale aquaculture principally offshore cages. You have to decide on priorities: it is impossible to do everything. For instance, you could start by producing Tilapia, not for market (very limited for this fish in Libya), but for training people in producing fish. A second step is to import fingerling of sea bass/bream and grow them. This is relatively easy for technicians who have already produced Tilapia. Finally, you are in a position to build and operate a hatchery.

   At each step of the execution, you have to concentrate on one prioritary subject. The programme as it now exists is not specific enough and far too ambitious. Again, I repeat that the pumping system is the priority number one. It is necessary to have one realistic objective, achieve it, then move to another subject.

   You should initiate cooperation with the industrial sector. A lot of mutual benefit and information will come out from such relation with practical operators. Industries can fund facilities and your staff can help in solving operational issues. In that way, you get research tools without spending money. Furthermore, it is necessary to integrate different complementary sectors (transport, building, mechanical industry, markets, etc) in order to build up an efficient industrial tool.

7. Cages

   The Libyan coast line is adequate for offshore cage culture. But sites should be selected in areas where a harbour is accessible by service boats. Inland facilities are required to operate cages: technical staff housing, stores for equipment and feed, workshop. A major issue to be concerned with in off-shore cage culture is security.

CLOSING REMARKS: TECHNICAL COOPERATION.

Dr. Dawid and Eng. Bujnah expressed thanks to Prof. Agius for visiting Libya and providing valuable information. They also thanked Dr. E. Reynolds and F. Vallet for the workshop.

The AI Director B. Abujnah pointed out the lack of experience in aquaculture in Libya and expressed the need for more advice, practice, and training from the LIBFISH Project. He noted that Libya has no programme for developing offshore cage culture. Emphasis is given to inland fish farms because large areas are available. Rehabilitation of lagoons is also an important action. The main purpose of this orientation is to develop new human settlements in empty places.

Prof. Agius thinks that this is a good idea but repeated that development of lagoons should be done carefully. It is not possible to get more than nature allows. Good offshore cage sites should be about 40 m deep, with a port and a research centre in nearby. It is important for Eng. Bujnah to visit Malta and get a firsthand idea of what of offshore cage culture involves.

F. Vallet remarked that his team was hoping to provide a draft development plan before the end of the current Project.

E. Reynolds observed that more more people from AI and SMW should attend workshops organised by the LIBFISH Project in order for these sessions to fulfill their intended purpose as opportunites for technical review and consultation between the various interests and agencies involved in national fisheries and aquaculture development.

The meeting was over at 1300h.

DISTRIBUTION COPIES:

ANNEX 7
PROPOSED PROJECT LIBFISH AQUACULTURE TRAINING COURSE:
FISH HATCHERY TECHNIQUES (Rev. 20.01.94)

LIBFISH TECHNICAL BRIEFING NOTES

01 Lamboeuf, M., A. Mujahid, & N. Elkebir. ‘Reconnaissance survey of the artisanal fishing fleet of Libya’ TBN No. 1, April 1994. (En/Ar)

02 Bellec, O. ‘Drydocking and refit of RV NOUR and voyage of vessel to Valetta, Malta.’ TBN No. 2, April 1994. (En/Ar)

03 Meaden, G.J. ‘Background notes and prospects for a Libyan marine fisheries Geographical Information System.’ TBN No. 3, April 1994. (En)

04 Reynolds, J.E. & M. Lamboeuf. ‘1993 Libyan fisheries frame survey planning & preparation workshop ’ TBN No. 4, April 1994. (En)

05 Medina Pizzali, A.F. ‘Technical evaluation and recommendations for the Sabratah fish cannery.’ TBN No. 5, April 1994. (En/Ar - Limited Distribution)

06 Reynolds, J.E. & M. Lamboeuf. ‘1993 Libyan fisheries frame survey: Data handling/dBase management workshop.’ TBN No. 6, May 1994. (En)

07 Reynolds, J.E. ‘Proceedings of the joint MBRC/FAO staff workshop on research training programme development (Tajura, 6 January 1994).’ TBN No. 7, May 1994. (En/Ar)

08 Lamboeuf, M. ‘Notes on the marine resources survey planning workshop (MBRC, Tajura, 31 January 1994).’ TBN No. 8, May 1994. (En/Ar)

09 Medina Pizzali, A.F. ‘Interim report on the national fish handling & processing facilities survey: Workshop proceedings (MBRC, Tajura, 26 March 1994).’ TBN No. 9, May 1994. (En/Ar)

10 Vallet, F. ‘Proposals for MBRC aquaculture facility rehabilitation.’ TBN No. 10, May 1994. (En)

11 Reynolds, J.E., M. Lamboeuf, A. Ben Abdallah, A. Abukhader, R. Abdulbari, & A. Nafati. ‘Preliminary findings of the 1993 Libyan marine fisheries frame survey: Workshop proceedings.’ TBN No. 11, June 1994. (En/Ar)

12 Magsoudi, M. & F. Vallet (eds.) ‘MEDRAP II Artemia Workshop (Libya) & Southern salt lakes mission.’ TBN No. 12, July 1994. (En/Ar)

13 Lamboeuf, M., A. Ben Abdallah, J. Sutherland, &E. Ansel. .‘Libya trawl survey: Preliminary results of the first coverage.’ TBN No. 13, July 1994. (En)

14 Lamboeuf, M. ‘Calibration of SIMRAD EK500 scientific sounder -- RV NOUR.’ TBN No. 14, July 1994. (En)

15 Meaden, G.J. & J.E. Reynolds. ‘Establishing a marine fisheries GIS: the Libyan experience. ’TBN No. 15, Sept. 1994. (En)

16 Lamboeuf, M. & J.E. Reynolds. ‘The fishing fleet of Libya: preliminary results of the 1993 frame survey.’ TBN No. 16, Oct. 1994. (En)

17 Medina Pizzali, A.F., F. Vallet, & M. Magsoudi. ‘Proposal for an integrated small-scale solar salt and brine shrimp production unit.’ TBN No. 17, Oct. 1994. (En)

18 Vallet, F. ‘Ponds and raceways: Proposals for small-scale model fish farms.’ TBN No. 18, Nov. 1994. (En/Ar)

19 Fituri, A. & F. Vallet. ‘Investigation of Ain Kaam farm shrimp mortality: preliminary findings.’ TBN No. 19, Nov. 1994. (En/Ar - Restricted).

20 Lamboeuf, M. & Ben Abdallah. ‘Libya trawl survey: Preliminary results of the second coverage’ TBN No. 20, Dec. 1994. (En)

21 Vallet, F. & J.E. Reynolds. (eds.) ‘Review of aquaculture fundamentals & the LIBFISH Aqua component programme: Workshop proceedings.’ TBN No. 21, Jan. 1995. (En).

LIBFISH FIELD DOCUMENTS

01 Goanec, M. ‘RV NOUR 1993–1994: Chief Engineer's report.’ FD No. 1, June 1994. (En - Limited Distribution)

02 Reynolds, J.E., M. Lamboeuf, A. Ben Abdallah, A. Abukhader, R. Abdulbari, & A. Nafati. ‘Libyan coastal fisheries: A report on the 1993 baseline survey results.’ FD No. 2, July 1994. (En -- in prep.)

03 Ababouch, L., A.F. Medina Pizzali et al. ‘Training workshop on fish handling and quality assurance (MBRC, Tajura, Oct. 1994).’ FD No. 3, Dec. 1994 (En - in prep.)

04 Sutherland, J. ‘RV NOUR 1993–1994: Captain/Masterfisher's report.’ FD No. 4, Dec. 1994 (En-Limited Distribution)

05 Ansel, E. ‘RV NOUR1993–1994: Fishing technology.’ FD No. 5, Dec. 1994 (En - Limited Distribution)