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REPORT of the
TWENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE
EUROPEAN INLAND FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMISSION
Budapest, Hungary, 1-7 June 2000
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2000
PREPARATION OF THIS DOCUMENT
The present text is the final version of the report adopted on 7 June 2000 by the participants in the Twenty-first Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission.
Distribution:
Participants
EIFAC Member States
European Community
EIFAC Mailing List
FAO Fisheries Department
FAO Regional Fisheries Officers
FAO. Report of the twenty-first session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission. Budapest, Hungary, 1-7 June 2000. FAO Fisheries Report. No. 625. Rome, FAO. 2000. 33 p.
SUMMARY
The Twenty-first Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) was held in Budapest, Hungary, from 1 to 7 June 2000, in concomitance with a Symposium on Fisheries and Society. The session reviewed EIFAC�s activities since 1998 in the fields of fishery biology and management, aquaculture, protection of the aquatic resource, and social and economic issues. EIFAC revised and decided its future programme of work, and in particular the activities which should be carried out until the next session of the Commission in 2002, planned to be held in the United Kingdom and preceded by a Symposium on Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment.
CONTENTS
DECISIONS, DIRECTIVES AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION OF EIFAC
OFFICERS OF EIFAC AND CONVENERS OF AD HOC WORKING PARTIES
III. SYMPOSIUM ON FISHERIES AND SOCIETY
IV. BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT (Sub-Commission I)
Synopsis on Alosa alosa and Alosa fallax
V. AQUACULTURE (Sub-Commission II)
Fish Diseases and their Control
VI. PROTECTION OF THE AQUATIC RESOURCE (Sub-Commission III)
Effects of Physical Modifications of the Aquatic Habitat on Fish Populations
Methodologies for Rehabilitation of Lakes and Reservoirs
Prevention and Control of Bird Predation
Influence of Management Practices on the Environment
Evaluation of Ecological and Human Health Effects from Endocrine Disrupting Substances
VII. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES (Sub-Commission IV)
Resolution of Conflicts in River Basins
VIII. ADOPTION OF THE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUB-COMMISSIONS
IX. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE SYMPOSIUM
X. SYMPOSIUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TWENTY-SECOND SESSION OF EIFAC
XIII. ELECTION OF EIFAC OFFICERS
XIV. DATE AND PLACE OF THE TWENTY-SECOND SESSION OF EIFAC
XV. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT AND CLOSING OF THE SESSION
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Prospectus of the EIFAC Symposium on Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment
DECISIONS, DIRECTIVES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE TWENTY-FIRST SESSION OF EIFACNew Title, Working Party on Fish Monitoring in Fresh Waters
Election of Officers for Sub-Commission I
Convener, Working Party on Aquatic Resources Management in Aquaculture
Creation of Working Party on Organic Fish Farming
Election of Officers of Sub-Commission II
Cancellation of Working Party on Accumulated Toxicants in Fish
Support to internationally coordinated activities on effects of fish-eating birds
Election of officers of Sub-Commission III
Convener, Working Party on Recreational Fisheries
Convener, Working Party on Socio-economic Aspects of Inland Fisheries
Election of officers of Sub-Commission IV
Recommendations from Symposium on Fisheries and Society
Establishment of EIFAC/EC Working Party on Market Perspectives of European Freshwater Aquaculture
Recommendation to hold Symposium on Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment
Date and place of Twenty-second Session
OFFICERS OF EIFAC AND CONVENERS OF AD HOC WORKING PARTIES
Chairperson:
R. Müller
First Vice-Chairperson:
K. Pintér
Second Vice-Chairperson:
M. Bninska
Secretary:
H. Naeve
SUB-COMMISSION I � BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Chairperson:
T. Brenner
Vice-Chairperson:
P. Fitzmaurice
Rapporteur:
K. Hensel
Technical Secretary:
G. Marmulla
ad hoc Working Parties
Eels
Convener
W. Dekker
Fish monitoring in fresh waters
Convener
P. Hickley
Introductions and stocking
Convener
I. Cowx
Mapping of fish distribution and aquatic habitat quality
Convener
A. Lelek
SUB-COMMISSION II � AQUACULTURE
Chairperson:
L. Váradi
Vice-Chairperson:
Y. Avnimelech
Rapporteur:
J.-P. Proteau
Technical Secretary:
U. Barg
ad hoc Working Parties
Fish diseases and their control
Convener
R. Richards
Aquatic resources management in aquaculture
Convener
Y. Avnimelech
Fish and crustacean nutrition
Convener
I. Csengeri
Organic fish farming
Convener
V. Hilge
Market perspectives of European freshwater aquaculture (jointly with European Community)
Convener
L. Váradi
SUB-COMMISSION III � PROTECTION OF THE AQUATIC RESOURCE
Chairperson:
L. Raat
Vice-Chairperson:
D. Gerdeaux
Rapporteur:
P. Gérard
Technical Secretary:
H. Naeve
ad hoc Working Parties
Effects of physical modification of the aquatic habitat on fish populations
Convener
M. Zalewski
Methodologies for rehabilitation of lakes and reservoirs
Convener
H. Lehtonen
Prevention and control of bird predation
Convener
E. Staub
Influence of management practices on the environment
Convener
M. Aprahamian
Evaluation of ecological and human health effects from endocrine disrupting substances (jointly with GESAMP)
Coordinat.
P.-D. Hansen
SUB-COMMISSION IV � SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES
Chairperson:
I. Cowx
Vice-Chairperson:
R. Marini
Rapporteur:
M.J. Collares-Pereira
Technical Secretary:
D. Greboval
ad hoc Working Parties
Communication and education
Convener
T. Brenner
Recreational fisheries
Convener
B. Breton
Socio-economic aspects of inland fisheries
Convener
M. Sipponen
I. OPENING OF THE SESSION
1. The Twenty-first Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) was held in Budapest, Hungary, from 1 to 7 June 2000 under the Chairpersonship of Mr Christopher Moriarty (Ireland). The Session was attended by 45 representatives from 22 members of the Commission. The List of Participants is given as Appendix C to this report.
2. The Session was opened by the Deputy State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Imre Mucsi, who described the inland fisheries situation in Hungary as an example of general importance of inland water fisheries.
3. The FAO Sub�Regional Representative for Europe, Mr Jaroslav Suchman, welcomed the participants in the name of the Director-General of FAO, Mr Jacques Diouf. He underlined the role of EIFAC as a forum for interchange of information and a mechanism for ensuring a common approach to inland fisheries throughout Europe.
4. The Chairperson of the Commission, Mr C. Moriarty, noted with appreciation that this was the second time that Hungary had hosted EIFAC and acknowledged the leading role of the host country in many aspects of inland fisheries in Europe. He observed that the Commission is still growing and with the recent addition of Iceland and Latvia has now reached 34 members. He also emphasized that, despite the increasing need for collaborative activities under the Commission, the programme has been streamlined to correspond to current trends in financing and manpower.
5. The Agenda which appears as Appendix A was adopted. The documents which were before the Commission are listed in Appendix B.
III. SYMPOSIUM ON FISHERIES AND SOCIETY
6. A Symposium on Fisheries and Society was organized in conjunction with the Twenty-first Session of EIFAC in Budapest, Hungary, from 1 to 3 June 2000. The Symposium was convened by Mr M. Sipponen (Finland) and chaired by Mr K. Pintér (Hungary). The Symposium was attended by 99 participants from 27 countries. The main documentation comprised 35 experience papers and 15 posters. The summary report of the Symposium is Appendix E to this report.
IV. BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT (Sub-Commission I)
7. The Chairperson of the Sub-Commission Mr T. Brenner (Germany) informed the Session of progress achieved in the activities agreed during the Twentieth Session of the Commission. The report of the activities was submitted to the Session as document EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.5.
8. With the exception of the finalization of the manuscript on gillnetting for roach, work on this topic has been discontinued as agreed at the Twentieth Session of EIFAC. The manuscript has been finalized but must be shortened in accordance with the reviewers� comments in order to be published. It is expected that the publication will then be available in early 2001.
9. The Joint EIFAC/ICES Working Party on Eels met in Silkeborg, Denmark in September 1999. This meeting found that eel fisheries throughout Europe are in decline and that recruitment of glass eels from the ocean remains at a very low level. The report of the meeting has been issued by ICES as ICES CM 2000/ACFM:6. It was decided that the EIFAC Secretariat should contact the ICES Secretariat to clarify the possibilities of jointly publishing the report by EIFAC and ICES.
10. The Convener expressed concern about the status of the Working Group. It was therefore recommended that the Chairperson of EIFAC should contact the Secretariat of ICES to ensure that this important Working Party continues as a joint venture.
11. Upon proposal by the delegation of Poland, the Session took note of the emerging problems with the European eel trade, which are mainly caused by overexploitation of the resource and the export of glass eel to Asia for aquacultural purposes. In addition, glass eel is canned for human consumption in substantial quantities. This has had negative effects on the European eel population and has led to a decline in catches. It was recommended that the issue of glass eel trade be brought to the attention of the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI).
12. Members of this Working Party contributed to the European Committee for Standardisation Workshop on fish monitoring organized by CEN/TC230/WG2/TG4 in Alvkarleby, Sweden, from 16 to 18 September 1998. On the basis of the increased emphasis on fish monitoring within the European Community arising from its Water Framework Directive, it was felt important that EIFAC experts also contribute to this activity. It was therefore agreed that the scope of the EIFAC Ad hoc Working Party be widened to include the selection of fish sampling methods and sampling of fish with gillnets and that it be renamed Ad hoc Working Party on Fish Monitoring in Fresh Waters. Mr P. Hickley was elected Convener of the renamed Working Party. The outgoing Convener Mr I. Cowx was thanked for his efficient work.
13. Members of this Working Party contributed toward the "European Union Analysis of the Environmental and Economic Impact of Operations to Reinforce the Aquatic Fauna of Freshwaters for Fishery Purposes". It was recommended that the EIFAC correspondents contact the relevant national experts to ask for further inputs to fill the remaining gaps.
Synopsis on Alosa alosa and Alosa fallax
14. The draft of the synopsis is almost ready although minor editorial changes still have to be incorporated. The draft synopsis was made available at the Session. Mr Cowx agreed to seek a publisher. The meeting was furthermore informed that the section on literature references is also available in electronic format.
Mapping Fish Distribution and Aquatic Habitat Quality
15. No progress has been made in this activity due to lack of funding and institutional support. It is, however, expected that support can be found during this year and that work can then be started without further delay.
16. The Chairperson Mr T. Brenner (Germany) was re-elected. Mr P. Fitzmaurice (Ireland) was elected Vice-Chairperson. Mr K. Hensel (Slovakia) was re-elected as Rapporteur.
17. Mr R. Marini (Italy) had expressed his wish to discontinue as Vice-Chairperson of this Sub-Commission. The Sub-Commission thanked him for his contribution to its work.
V. AQUACULTURE (Sub-Commission II)
18. The Chairperson of the Sub-Commission, Mr L. Váradi (Hungary) reported on the activities and achievements of the Sub-Commission. The report of the activities was submitted to the Session as document EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.6.
Fish Diseases and their Control
19. A joint EIFAC/European Association of Fish Pathologists (EAFP) Workshop on Health Management in Sturgeon and Carp Aquaculture and Fisheries was held in Rhodes, Greece, on 19 September 1999, in conjunction with the EAFP International Conference on Fish and Shellfish Diseases. The Workshop focused primarily on sturgeon, and formulated a set of recommendations. The summary report of the Workshop is currently being finalized. It will be distributed to interested experts and will also be made available on the EIFAC Home Page. The Ad hoc Working Party will continue its cooperation with the European Association of Fish Pathologists. A follow-up meeting is being planned for September 2001 to be held in Dublin on the occasion of the Tenth International Conference of EAFP.
Aquatic Resources Management in Aquaculture
20. The Convener of the Working Party, Mr H. Ackefors (Sweden), compiled a study report on Aquatic Resources Management on the basis of replies from eleven countries to a questionnaire sent to all EIFAC National Correspondents. The report was submitted to the Commission as document EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.11.
21. The significant work involved with this study report and the efforts by the Convener were recognized. It was felt that while the study report contained significant information, there may be need to update certain parts of it. It was noted that the Convener had indicated that he would like to retire and reduce a number of commitments. The Session felt that the work should continue, and recommended that Mr Yoram Avnimelech (Israel) be contacted to invite him to take the role as Convener of this Working Party. The Sub-Commission�s Chairperson and the Secretariat will consult with Mr Avnimelech and inform members accordingly. The present study report will be distributed to interested experts, and will also be made available on the EIFAC Home Page.
22. The Convener of the Working Party reported that the proceedings of the EIFAC Workshop on Fish and Crustacean Nutrition Methodology and Research for Semi-Intensive Pond-based Farm Systems (Szarvas, Hungary, 3-5 April 1996) have been edited for publication in the yearbook series of the Fish Culture Research Institute, Szarvas, Hungary. A sufficient number of copies will be made available to the EIFAC Secretariat for distribution to authors and EIFAC Officers. The Working Party will continue its work with special emphasis on fish nutrition, flesh quality and nutrient loadings.
23. The Chairperson of the Sub-Commission, Mr L. Váradi (Hungary), represented EIFAC at the following meetings: Fifteenth Annual Meeting of European Senior Fisheries Cooperation Advisers (Bremen, Germany, 17-18 June 1999); Conference on Aquaculture Economics and Marketing (Debrecen, Hungary, 30 August-1 September 1999); FEAP Presidents Meeting (Thessaloniki, Greece, 25 September 1999; Third Thematic Conference on the Future of Aquaculture in Europe (Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 5-6 November 1999).
24. It was recognized that the aquaculture sector continues to grow in importance, globally as well as in Europe. Significant opportunities exist to strengthen regional and inter-regional co-operation on various aspects of aquaculture development, including marketing, producer organizations, information management and coordination of aquaculture related activities. Reference was made to the AQUAFLOW project, to ongoing cooperation with the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) and the requirements of continued support to existing aquaculture development efforts in Central and Eastern Europe.
25. The representative of the European Commission, Mr C. Vamvakas, emphasized the Commission�s interest in EIFAC�s work. He commended the excellent work carried out by the Chairperson and members of Sub-Commission II. Referring to aquaculture, he would welcome initiatives leading to improved coordination of activities, avoidance of duplication of effort, exchange of information and strengthening of existing networks and initiatives. The Session agreed that efforts be supported which would lead to improved information management, enhanced networking and coordination of aquaculture-related activities, which would also improve the use of available financial resources. Mr Váradi indicated his Institute�s preparedness to continue working on information related to aquaculture in Central and Eastern Europe.
26. The Commission established a new Ad hoc Working Party on Organic Fish Farming. The terms of reference for this Working Party are to:
Assemble material on the status and developments in organic fish farming.
Review and discuss the technical aspects of this type of production.
Consider market conditions related to organic fish farming.
Define research needs.
27. Mr V. Hilge (Germany) accepted to act as the Convener of this Working Party.
28. The Chairperson Mr Váradi (Hungary), Vice-Chairperson Mr Avnimelech (Israel) and Rapporteur Mr J.-P. Proteau (France) were re-elected.
VI. PROTECTION OF THE AQUATIC RESOURCE (Sub-Commission III)
29. The Chairperson of Sub-Commission III, Mr R. Müller (Switzerland) summarized the activities of the Sub-Commission, which were presented to the Session as document EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.7.
30. In view of the heavy workload of the Convener, Ms Z. Svobodovà (Czech Republic), and considering that work on the problem of toxicant accumulation in fish is being carried out by numerous institutions throughout Europe, it was decided to discontinue this activity. Mr Müller will inform Ms Svobodovà of the outcome and thank her for her long-time involvement.
Effects of Physical Modifications of the Aquatic Habitat on Fish Populations
31. Following the publication of the manual on river rehabilitation in 1998 there has been little activity. Due to heavy workload, Mr J. Coeck (Belgium) regretfully resigned as Convener while still remaining a member of the Working Party. There are two institutions presently dealing with river restoration in Europe (River Restoration Centres in Denmark and the UK), as well as the UNESCO Programme on Eco-hydrology convened by Mr M. Zalewski (Poland). It was proposed that Mr Zalewski be approached by Ms M. Bninska (Poland) to see whether he would be prepared to coordinate work in this field.
Methodologies for Rehabilitation of Lakes and Reservoirs
32. An ad hoc meeting was held during the Twenty-first Session to review the structure and content of the proposed manual on Rehabilitation of Lakes and Reservoirs. The list of chapters, which had been agreed upon in 1998 was modified and expanded to comprise 14 chapters, covering all relevant aspects of lake and reservoir rehabilitation. Six chapters have been completed, and outlines for most of the remaining chapters have been received. The remaining chapters are to be sent to the Convener, Mr H. Lehtonen (Finland), by the end of November 2000. Mr I. Cowx (UK) has kindly agreed to edit the manuscripts to standardize format.
Prevention and Control of Bird Predation
33. The Working Party met during the Session to complete the list of recent literature on cormorant and fish, compiled by the Convener, Mr E. Staub (Switzerland). It further identified the need to compare and clarify the actual legal status of cormorants in European countries.
34. No activity has been noted at the level of the European Cormorant Management Plan. In order to further the basic ideas of the Cormorant Management Plan established under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), a research project "Reducing the conflicts between cormorants and fisheries on a pan-European scale (REDCAFE)" was elaborated by a number of institutions and submitted to the European Commission in October 1999. EU funding was approved in April 2000. The project will last two years.
35. The Working Party noted that there is a potentially serious situation resulting from the pan-European increase in numbers of cormorants. These are impacting upon aquaculture, fish stocks and the fishery management of inland waters. It therefore recommends that EIFAC members:
Encourage and continue research on the effects of cormorants on fish populations.
Evaluate and document the importance of impacts of cormorants, in comparison with other impacts on fish populations.
Encourage fisheries biologists to publicize better their data on the impact of cormorants on fish, in order to raise the awareness of the general public.
36. It further recommends that:
EIFAC should support internationally coordinated activities like the REDCAFE project, and a symposium on effects of fish-eating birds, planned to be held in April 2001 at the Hull International Fisheries Institute.
Influence of Management Practices on the Environment
37. There has been little progress with this Working Party despite the Convener�s efforts to recruit members and to initiate a programme. Only two persons have indicated their willingness to participate. The Convener, Mr M. Aprahamian (UK), agreed to carry on work by putting together a framework and to develop a specific work programme. Each member of the Working Party will then develop a particular topic that the Convener will synthesize into a final report for the next Session of EIFAC.
Evaluation of Ecological and Human Health Effects from Endocrine Disrupting Substances
38. The proposed meeting of the joint GESAMP/EIFAC Working Group was not held due to the failure of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to secure funding. In view of the extensive activity taking place on this subject in Europe, it was considered necessary that the Convener, Mr P.-D. Hansen (Germany) continue the work and report to the next EIFAC Session. Material and literature reviews already prepared by GESAMP will be made available to the Convener.
39. The following officers were elected: Mr L. Raat (the Netherlands), Chairperson; Mr D. Gerdeaux (France), Vice-Chairperson; Mr P. Gérard (Belgium), Rapporteur.
VII. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES (Sub-Commission IV)
40. The Chairperson of the Sub-Commission Mr I. Cowx (UK), assisted by Ms M.J. Collares-Pereira (Portugal), Rapporteur, informed the Session of the progress achieved during the intersessional period. His report was available to the Session as document EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.8.
41. This Working Party failed to meet during the intersession. In the meantime the Convener, Mr T. Brenner (Germany), informed the Session that he had started to collate the education strategies linked to inland fisheries in EIFAC member countries. It was suggested that a questionnaire be prepared and sent out to EIFAC correspondents. Mr W.J.M. Muyres (the Netherlands) offered support for this activity. The Working Party can then be convened to discuss information resulting from the questionnaires.
Recreational Fisheries
42. Information has been gathered from countries, both inside and outside the EIFAC region, on a Code of Practice for Recreational Fishing. Although many countries have codes of practice already in existence they are of varying quality and scope according to target audience. Some, however, can serve as a template for the proposed EIFAC publication. Particularly suitable for the purpose is the relatively recent Australian National Code of Practice for Recreational and Sport Fishing. Using this and similar codes as a guide, the framework for the EIFAC Code will be formulated and agreed in the intersessional period.
43. Many papers presented at the Symposium on Fisheries and Society held in conjunction with the Twenty-first Session of EIFAC dealt with recreational fisheries in different member countries. It was recommended that a simple questionnaire be prepared to collate the information to support the millennium statement on recreational fisheries in the region.
44. The Convener, Mr P. Hickley (UK) resigned but offered the services of colleagues in the UK to support future work of the group. Mr B. Bengtsson (Sweden) also expressed a wish to be a member of the Working Party. Mr B. Breton (France) was elected as Convener of the Ad hoc Working Party.
Resolution of Conflicts in River Basins
45. This issue was discussed at the University of Hull International Fisheries Institute (HIFI)/EIFAC Symposium on River Fisheries, (Hull, UK, 1998). The full text of the contributions to this is now available in "Management and Ecology of River Fisheries" edited by I.G. Cowx, published in 2000 by "Fishing News Books", Blackwell Science, Oxford (444p.).
Socio-economic Aspects of Inland Fisheries
46. The Ad hoc Working Party on Socio-economic Aspects of Inland Fisheries failed to meet in the intersessional period. However, this topic formed the subject of the Symposium on Fisheries and Society held as part of this Session. Its summary conclusions and recommendations are presented in paragraph 51 of this report.
47. One aspect that was partially covered by the Symposium was the economic valuation of inland fisheries. It was suggested by Ms E. Roth (Denmark) that a workshop on survey techniques for standardizing the collection of economic data for fisheries management be organized to consolidate on this progress.
48. The Convener of the Ad hoc Working Party, Mr A. Neiland (UK), was unable to continue due to other commitments and Mr M. Sipponen (Finland) was elected as the Convener.
49. The following persons were elected: Mr I. Cowx (UK), Chairperson; Mr R. Marini (Italy), Vice-Chairperson; Ms M.J. Collares-Pereira (Portugal), Rapporteur.
VIII. ADOPTION OF THE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUB-COMMISSIONS
50. The Commission adopted the reports of the Sub-Commissions.
IX. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE SYMPOSIUM
51. The Commission adopted the report of the Symposium on Fisheries and Society as summarized in Appendix E. The major recommendations were:
Fisheries administrations should better recognize the need for co-management and to support improved institutional and organizational mechanisms to facilitate the adoption of this approach.
Mechanisms for collaborative management of fisheries in trans-national lakes and rivers should be established where they do not already exist.
Appropriate linkages between fishery administrations and various user groups should be maintained as mechanisms for negotiations to ensure that at least the minimum requirements for the maintenance of healthy fish communities are established.
The growing importance of the human dimensions of inland fisheries means that social scientists should be more closely involved in research and management of the fishery.
Efforts should be increased to remedy the lack of basic information on recreational fisheries.
Socio-economic surveys should be undertaken more systematically in EIFAC member countries. It is recommended that EIFAC organize an ad hoc workshop on methodologies for socio-economic surveys to review concepts and methodologies and to ensure harmonized approaches to future studies.
Efficient education and communication projects should be promoted for commercial fishermen and anglers and to raise public awareness of the benefits of inland fisheries.
Efforts should be increased to rehabilitate and improve the state of rivers, lakes and lagoons with a view to preserving sustainable fishing activities.
There is an urgent need to improve fishing sites in areas close to towns.
Subject to management requirements, access to fishing grounds should be maintained for commercial fishermen where traditional access rights already exist or where there are strong economic and social justifications.
Collaborative efforts and technical cooperation among members should be strengthened and EIFAC should intensify intersessional activities through cooperative programmes on key technical and management issues.
X. SYMPOSIUM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TWENTY-SECOND SESSION OF EIFAC
52. Two topics were proposed for the Symposium to be held in association with the Twenty-second Session of EIFAC: (a) European Aquaculture in Freshwater: its place and its future in the globalization of markets for fish products, and (b) Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment.
53. The Commission recognized that the first of these proposals was urgent and needed more detailed treatment than could be met by the Symposium associated with regular EIFAC Sessions. It therefore recommended that a meeting on "European Aquaculture in Freshwater: its place and its future in the globalization of markets for fish products" be held without delay and report to Sub-Commission II. The European Community and the EIFAC Secretariat were charged with the organization of the meeting1.
54. "Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment" was retained as the topic for the Symposium to be held in conjunction with the Twenty-second Session of EIFAC. Mr D. Gerdeaux (France) accepted to serve as Convener for the Symposium. Mr Cowx (UK) was proposed as Chairperson of the Symposium. The outline of the Symposium Prospectus is included as Appendix F.
55. The Secretary requested all members to report changes to mailing, fax and e-mail lists. Wider use can be made of e-mail by setting up topic-oriented lists. This would substitute the directory of expertise which the Secretariat had unsuccessfully attempted to prepare in the past.
56. In view of advances in electronic communication, it was agreed that the EIFAC Newsletter be discontinued in its paper form.
57. Members were encouraged to make maximum use of the EIFAC leaflet prepared by the Secretariat by distributing it widely in their respective countries.
58. Delegates felt that the limitation of the Session and Symposium to five days in accordance with the decision of the Twentieth Session of EIFAC did not leave enough time for the Commission to fully transact its business. It was therefore decided that future Sessions be extended to six days with three days allowed for the Symposium. Better use should also be made of the time available through more efficient programming of business. The Executive Committee was invited to address this issue at its next Session.
Publication of Symposia Proceedings
59. The Session noted with appreciation that selected papers presented at the Symposium in connection with the Twentieth Session were published as a special volume of "Fisheries Management and Ecology".
60. Efforts will be made for similar arrangements for the Proceedings of the Symposium of this Session.
Collaboration with other Organizations
61. Upon the retirement of Mr P. Tuunainen (Finland), Mr G. Rasmussen (Denmark) agreed to represent EIFAC at the ICES Statutory Meeting.
XIII. ELECTION OF EIFAC OFFICERS
62. The following were elected as Officers of the Commission: Mr R. Müller (Switzerland), Chairperson; Mr K. Pintér (Hungary), First Vice-Chairperson; Ms M. Bninska (Poland), Second Vice-Chairperson.
XIV. DATE AND PLACE OF THE TWENTY-SECOND SESSION OF EIFAC
63. The delegate of the United Kingdom declared that it was the intention of the UK to invite the Commission to hold its Twenty-second Session and Symposium in Windermere, subject to approval of funding. The delegates requested that the Session be held in the second half of June 2002.
XV. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT AND CLOSING OF THE SESSION
64. The Report of the Twenty-first Session of EIFAC was adopted on 7 June 2000.
65. The Chairperson of EIFAC, Mr C. Moriarty, thanked the Government of Hungary and their staff for the excellent way in which the Session was organized and serviced. He closed the Session at 17.00 hours on 7 June 2000.
Appendix A
AGENDA
1.
Opening of the Session
2.
Adoption of the Agenda
3.
Symposium on Fisheries and Society
4.
Sub-Commission I
Review of intersessional activities:
- Eels
- Electric fishing
- Introductions and stocking
- Mapping of fish distribution and aquatic habitat quality
Programme of the Sub-Commission
Other matters
Election of Officers
5.
Sub-Commission II
Review of intersessional activities:
- Fish diseases and their control
- Aquatic resources management in aquaculture
- Fish and crustacean nutrition
Programme of the Sub-Commission
Other matters
Election of Officers
6.
Sub-Commission III
Review of intersessional activities:
- Accumulated toxicants in fish
- Effects of physical modifications of the aquatic habitat on fish populations
- Methodologies for rehabilitation of lakes and reservoirs
- Prevention and control of bird predation
- Influence of management practices on the environment
- Evaluation of ecological and human health effects from endocrine disrupting substances
Programme of the Sub-Commission
Other matters
Election of Officers
7.
Sub-Commission IV
Review of intersessional activities:
- Communication and education
- Recreational fisheries
- Social and economic aspects of inland fisheries
Programme of the Sub-Commission
Other matters
Election of Officers
8.
Adoption of the reports and recommendations from the Sub-Commissions
9.
Adoption of the Report of the Symposium
10.
Symposium in conjunction with the Twenty-second Session of EIFAC
11.
Strengthening of EIFAC
12.
Any other matters
13.
Election of EIFAC Officers
14.
Date and place of the Twenty-second Session
15.
Ad hoc Working Parties
16.
Adoption of the Report
17.
Closing of the Session
Appendix B
LIST OF DOCUMENTS
EIFAC/XXI/2000/1 Rev.
Provisional Agenda and Timetable
EIFAC/XXI/2000/2
Summary Record of Meeting of the EIFAC Executive Committee, Rome, 14-15 June 1999
EIFAC/XXI/2000/3
Summary Report of the Symposium
EIFAC/XXI/2000/4
European Commission Proposal for the Symposium in Connection with the Twenty-second Session of EIFAC
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.1 Rev.
Provisional List of Documents
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.2
List of Participants
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.3
Prospectus of the Symposium
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.4
Analysis of European Catch and Aquaculture Statistics
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.5
Progress Report, Sub-Commission I
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.6
Progress Report, Sub-Commission II
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.7
Progress Report, Sub-Commission III
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.8
Progress Report, Sub-Commission IV
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.9
List of EIFAC Correspondents
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.10
Opening Addresses
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.11
Aquatic Resources Management in European Aquaculture
EIFAC/XXI/2000/Inf.12
Statement of Competence and Voting Rights by the European Community and its Member States
Appendix C
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION/MEMBRES DE LA COMMISSION
Albania/Albanie
Austria/Autriche
KAINZ, Erich
Federal Agency for Water Management
Institute for Water Ecology, Fisheries and Lake Research
Scharfling 18
A-5310 Mondsee
Fax: (+43-6232) 3847-33
E-mail: [email protected]Belgium/Belgique
GERARD, Pierre
Ministère de la Region Wallonne
Avenue Maréchal Juin, 23
B-5030-Gembloux
Fax: (+32-81) 615727
E-mail: [email protected]Bulgaria/Bulgarie
Croatia/Croatie
SUIĆ, Josip
10000 Zagreb
Fisheries Directory
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Ulica grada Vukovara 78
HR-
Fax: (+385-1) 6109208
E-mail: [email protected]Cyprus/Chypre
Czech Republic/République Tchèque
Denmark/Danemark
RASMUSSEN, Gorm
Danish Institute for Fisheries Research
Department of Inland Fisheries
Vejlsoevej 39
DK-8600 Silkeborg
Fax: (+45) 89213150
E-mail: [email protected]GEERTZ-HANSEN, Peter
Danish Institute for Fisheries Research
Department of Inland Fisheries
Vejlsoevej 39
DK-8600 Silkeborg
Fax: (+45) 89213150
E-mail: [email protected]Estonia/Estonie
VETEMAA, Markus
University of Tartu
Institute of Zoology and Hydrobiology
Vanemuise St. 46
Tartu 51014
Fax: (+372-7) 375830
E-mail: [email protected]European Community/Communauté Européenne
VAMVAKAS, Constantin
Commission Européenne
Direction générale de la pêche
200, rue de la Loi
B-1049 Bruxelles
Fax: (+32-2) 2951940
E-mail: [email protected]Finland/Finlande
TUUNAINEN, Pekka
Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute
Pukinmäenaukio 4
P.O.Box 6
FIN-00721 Helsinki
Fax: (+358-205) 751201
E-mail: [email protected]AUVINEN, Heikki
Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute
Saimaa Fisheries Research and Aquaculture
Laasalantie 9
FIN-58175 Enonkoski
Fax: (+358-205) 751609
E-mail: [email protected]LEHTONEN, Hannu
Department of Limnology and Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 27
FIN-00014 Helsinki
Fax: (+358-9) 708 5857
E-mail: [email protected]SIPPONEN, Matti
Employment and Economic Develop-ment Centre for Central Finland
P.O. Box 44
FIN-40101 Jyväskylä
Fax: (+358-14) 4104747
E-mail: [email protected]France
COURCOL, Christian
Ministère de l�agriculture et de la pêche
Direction des pêches maritimes et de l�aquaculture
Bureau de la pisciculture
3, place de Fontenoy
F-75007 Paris
Fax: (+33-1) 49555984
E-mail: christian.courcol
@agriculture.gouv.frBOISNEAU, Philippe
Secrétaire général de la coordination
nationale de la pêche professionnelle en eau douce
La Bardoire
F-37150 Chisseaux
Fax: (+33-2) 47238609
E-mail: [email protected]CHANGEUX, Thomas
Conseil supérieur de la pêche
Direction générale - Service technique
134, avenue de Malakoff
F-75116 Paris
Fax: (+33-1) 45012723
E-mail: thomas.changeux
@paris.environnement.gouv.frGERDEAUX, Daniel
Laboratoire d�hydrobiologie lacustre, INRA
BP 511
F-74203 Thonon Cedex
Fax: (+33-4) 50260760
E-mail: [email protected]GUERNALEC, Cyrille
Comité national des pêches maritimes et des élevages marins
51, rue Salvador Allende
F-92027 Nanterre
Fax: (+33-1) 49000602
E-mail: [email protected]VILAINE, Louis
Comité national des pêches maritimes et des élevages marins
51, rue Salvador Allende
F-92027 Nanterre
Fax: (+33-1) 49000602
E-mail: [email protected]Germany/Allemagne
HILGE, Volker
BFA für Fischerei
Wulfsdorfer Weg 204
D-22926 Ahrensburg
Fax: (+49-4102) 898 207
E-mail: [email protected]BRENNER, Tomás
Ministerium für Umwelt und Forsten
Kaiser-Friedrich-Strasse 1
D-55116 Mainz
Fax: (+49-6131) 165926
E-mail: [email protected]WEDEKIND, Helmut
Institute for Inland Fisheries
Potsdam-Sacrow
Jägerhof
D-14476 Gross Glienicke
Fax: (+49-33201) 40640
E-mail: [email protected]Greece/Grèce
ECONOMIDIS, Panagiotis S.
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Department of Biology, Laboratory of Ichthyology
Box 134
GR-540 06 Thessaloniki
Fax: (+30-31) 998279
Email: [email protected]Hungary/Hongrie
PINTÉR, Károly
Ministry of Agriculture and Regional Development
Kossuth L. tér 11
H-1055 Budapest
Fax: (+36-1) 3014781
E-mail: [email protected]CSENGERI, Istvan
Fish Culture Research Institute
P.O. Box 47
H-5541 Szarvas
Fax: (+36-66) 312142
E-mail: [email protected]GABOR, Janos
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
H-1055 Kossuth tér 11
Budapest
Fax: (+36-1) 3014781
E-mail: [email protected]VÁRADI, László
Fish Culture Research Institute
P.O. Box 47
H-5541 Szarvas
Fax: (+36-66) 312142
E-mail: [email protected]Iceland/Islande
ÓSKARSSON, Sumarlidi
Directorate of Freshwater Fisheries
Vagnhöfda 7
IS-110 Reykjavík
Fax: (+354) 5678850
E-mail: [email protected]Ireland/Irlande
FITZMAURICE, Paddy
Central Fisheries Board
Mobhi Boreen
Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Fax: (+353-1) 8360060MORIARTY, Christopher
University of Dublin
Zoology Department
Trinity College
Dublin 2
E-mail: [email protected]Israel/Israël
Italy/Italie
BEDIN, Luca
Ministero Politiche Agricole e Forestali
Direzione Generale Pesca e Acquacoltura
Viale del Caravaggio, 107
00147 Roma
Fax: (+39) 0659084176
E-mail: [email protected]MARINI, Raffaele
Commissariato Italiano
Commissione italo-svizzera per la pesca
Viale G. Modugno 42
I-16156 Genova
Fax: (+39) 0106967647
E-mail: [email protected]Latvia/Lettonie
RIEKSTINS, Normunds
National Board of Fisheries
Ministry of Agriculture
2, Republikas laukums
LV-1010 Riga
Fax: (+371) 7334892
E-mail: [email protected]OZOLINA, Gunta (Ms)
National Board of Fisheries
Ministry of Agiculture
2, Republikas laukums
LV-1010 Riga
Fax: (+371) 7334892
E-mail: [email protected]Lithuania/Lituanie
Luxembourg
KRIER, Ady
Administration des eaux et forêts
Service de la chasse et de la pêche
16, rue Eugène Ruppert
L-1025 Luxembourg
Fax: (+352) 402201-350
E-mail: [email protected]Netherlands/Pays-Bas
MUYRES, W.J.M.
Organization for the Improvement of Inland Fisheries (OVB)
Buxtehudelaan 1
P.O. Box 433
NL-3430 AK Nieuwegein
Fax: (+31-30) 6039874
E-mail: [email protected]RAAT, Lex (A.J.P.)
Organization for the Improvement of Inland Fisheries (OVB)
Buxtehudelaan 1
P.O. Box 433
NL-3430 AK Nieuwegein
Fax: (+31-30) 6058446
E-mail: [email protected]Norway/Norvège
Poland/Pologne
STACHOWIAK, Piotr M.
Ministerstwo Rolnictwa I Rozwoju WSI
Department Rybolówstwa
Ul. Wspólna 30
00-930 Warszawa
Fax: (+22) 6232204
E-mail: [email protected]BNINSKA, Maria (Ms)
Inland Fisheries Institute
Ul. Oczapowskiego 10
10-719 Olsztyn 5
Fax: (+48-89) 5240505
E-mail: [email protected]Portugal
BOCHECHAS, Jorge
Divisão de Pesca nas Águas Interiores
Direcção Geral das Florestas
Av. 5 Outubro 52-6�D
1050-058 Lisboa
Fax: (+351-21) 3156188
E-mail: [email protected]COLLARES-PEREIRA, Maria João (Ms)
Centro de Biologia Ambiental
Dep. de Zoologia e Antropologia
Faculdade de Ciências de Lisboa
Campo Grande, C2
P-1749-016 Lisboa
Fax: (+351-21) 7500028
E-mail: [email protected]Romania/Roumanie
Slovakia/Slovaquie
Spain/Espagne
Sweden/Suède
BENGTSSON, Bo
National Board of Fisheries
Dept. of Coastal and Freshwater Resources
P.O. Box 423
S-40126 Göteborg
Fax: (+46-31) 743044
E-mail: [email protected]HAMRIN, Stellan F.
National Board of Fisheries
Dept. of Coastal and Freshwater Resources
Institute for Freshwater Resources
S-17893 Drottningholm
Fax: (+46-8) 7590338
E-mail: [email protected]Switzerland/Suisse
STAUB, Erich
Office fédéral de l'environnement, des forêts et du paysage
Division écologie et pêche
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne
Fax: (+41-31) 3230371
E-mail: [email protected]MÜLLER, Rudolf
EAWAG, Fisheries
CH-6047 Kastanienbaum
Fax: (+41-41) 3492162
E-mail: [email protected]Turkey/Turquie
United Kingdom/Royaume-Uni
HICKLEY, Phil
National Coarse Fish Centre
The Environment Agency
Hoo Farm Industrial Estate
Worcester Road
Kidderminster DY11 7RA
Fax: (+44-1562) 69477
E-mail: [email protected]COWX, Ian G.
University of Hull
International Fisheries Institute
Hull HU6 7RX
Fax: (+44-1482) 470129
E-mail: [email protected]Yugoslavia/Yougoslavie
SECRETARIAT
FAO Subregional Office for Central and Eastern Europe
Benczúr utca 34
1068 Budapest
HungarySUCHMAN, Jaroslav
Subregional Representative
Fax: (+36-1) 3517029
E-mail: [email protected]FAO Fisheries Department
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
I-00100 Rome
Italy/ItalieNAEVE, Heiner
Secretary of EIFAC
Fax: (+39) 0657053020
E-mail: [email protected]BARG, Uwe
Fishery Resources Officer
Fax: (+39) 0657053020
E-mail: [email protected]GREBOVAL, Dominique
Senior Fishery Planning Officer
Fax: (+39) 0657056500
E-mail: [email protected]MARMULLA, Gerd
Fishery Resources Officer
Fax: (+39) 0657053020
E-mail: [email protected]
WEBB, Janet C. (Ms)
Meetings Officer
Fax: (+39) 0657056500
E-mail: [email protected]WELCOMME, Robin
Renewable Resources Assessment Group, Room 403
T.H. Huxley School of Environment, Earth Sciences and Engineering
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
Royal School of Mines
Prince Consort Road
London SW7 2BP
United Kingdom
Fax: (44-171) 5895319
E-mail: [email protected]
FORNALE, Rita (Ms)
Fax: (+39) 0657053020
E-mail: [email protected]SOLA, Rine (Ms)
Fax: (+39) 0657053020
E-mail: [email protected]Interpreters/Interprètes
CAMPLAN, Sylvie (Ms)
JAMATI-SCOLARI, Nadia (Ms)
TANGO, Anne (Ms)
TOMASETTI, Teresa (Ms)Appendix D
OPENING ADDRESSESAddress by
Mr Imre Mucsi
Deputy State Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentOn behalf of the Hungarian Government I want to welcome all of you to the Twenty-first Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission and to the related Symposium on Fisheries and Society. We are very glad that you have decided to have this important event in Hungary when we are celebrating the millennium of the Hungarian State.
For people living under the changing hydrogeographical conditions of the Carpatian basin it was absolutely indispensable to know the waters - especially the rivers - and to utilize them. This resulted in very rich fishery traditions, use of very wide range of fishing gears and as a consequence - the ability of regeneration. When by the end of the nineteenth century - following the improvement of riverways - the natural fish production capacity of our rivers declined, the traditional fishery was not able to ensure source of livelihood for so many people as in the previous centuries. At the same time the role of fish as easily available food for local population also decreased.
Solution for this problem was offered by the regeneration of fisheries by the development of pond farming. Construction of still water pond farms in Hungary started in the last decades of the nineteenth century. The present total productive area of such ponds in Hungary is about twenty two thousand hectares, which is a very high value in comparison with other European countries. I would like to add to this data that the present agricultural policy considers pond construction and reconstruction a priority area and ensures state aid for these activities. We are convinced that construction of fish ponds is a very effective and perspective way to utilize land area less suitable for other agricultural purposes. It is a perspective solution as we expect a considerable increase in demand for fish and fishery products as a result of increased prosperity of the population and due to changing mode of living. It is one of the objectives of our agricultural policy to meet the demand for fish as far as possible from domestic production.
In the supply of Hungarian market our traditional natural water fisheries play only a minor role in comparison with the carp produced in pond farms or with the marine fish products originating from imports. Fish caught from natural waters ensure a wider variety of goods and meet special demands of the gastronomy. Nevertheless, we are very proud of the fact that the traditional natural water fisheries still exist in Hungary in spite of unfavourable conditions in some periods of the past.
In our days - like in other developed industrial societies - recreational activities as angling and sportfishing have the priority in utilization of fish stocks. Traditional fisheries carry out restocking programmes and regulatory harvesting of stocks in order to create more favourable conditions for recreational fisheries in which every year three hundred sixty thousand Hungarian citizens take part as well as thousands of foreign visitors.
Openness was the characteristic feature of the Hungarian fisheries even in times when - because of well known political and economic reasons - it could not be stated in case of other branches of our national economy. This openness was manifested in the fact that part of our fishery products was sold in international markets and also in the participation of Hungarian experts in fisheries and aquaculture development projects in all parts of the world. Due to this openness the process of integration into the European Union in the case of fisheries seems to be less painful than in agriculture. I would like to acquaint you with the main phases of this process in the fisheries sector.
In 1996 Hungary answered the detailed questionnaires of the EU Commission which contained a special chapter on fisheries. In 1998 the screening of EU and Hungarian fishery legislation - including regulation of fish trade - was carried out. The accession negotiations in fisheries were terminated in the first half of 1999. In May 1999 the fisheries chapter of the negotiations was closed - as the first one of those belonging to the competence of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
International reputation of Hungarian fisheries has been achieved mainly on the basis of scientific background. Institutional fisheries research started in Hungary more than ninety years ago, when the Royal Experimental Station for Fish Physiology and Wastewater Purification was established in 1906. The experimental station was located in Budapest at that time, and after several reorganizations and relocations, as well as changes of the name, the fisheries research station found its final place at Szarvas in 1953. The institute was upgraded in the frame of an FAO/UNDP supported development programme between 1975 and 1980. The Fish Culture Research Institute (its internationally known acronym is HAKI) became an acknowledged research and training centre.
The institute is a governmental organization supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development that provides core funding of about 40 percent of the total annual budget. Thus the larger part of the budget derives from competitive grants, consultancies, services and training programmes, through the intensive utilization of the wide range of expertise and complex facilities. The main research philosophy of HAKI is to link science to practical application, it means to provide scientific basis for the development of fisheries and fish culture technologies under various conditions from natural waters to intensive fish rearing systems.
In spite of the fact that Eastern European institutions have been rather isolated internationally in the past, HAKI scientists and aquaculturists have been actively involved in international collaborations not only in the field of research but also in aquaculture and fisheries development projects world-wide. HAKI experts assisted numerous aquaculture programmes in developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America.
The other internationally recognized institution of the Hungarian fisheries, the Warm Water Fish Hatchery, the TEHAG, located at Százhalombatta has been established by the help of the World Food Programme. Since 1974 this farm has been operated as a pilot farm of the development of fish culture in Hungary and also in countries of the Third World. Especially the training courses organized for fishery experts and consultancies in Latin America ensured good international reputation for this farm.
In the early 1990s when the process of privatization took place in the Hungarian fisheries the government declared that TEHAG - because of its international tasks and strategic role in the Hungarian fisheries - will remain a state property. The farm is supervised - both financially and professionally - by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Its pond area has been increased during the last few years to 500 hectares, and a general reconstruction programme has been started since 1999 financed completely by the government. In the framework of this programme first the hatchery building and the water supply network of the ponds have been reconstructed. Next steps of the programme - in the years 2000 and 2001 - will be the establishment of high-tech processing unit specially for freshwater fish and then the renovation of all pond facilities.
The objective of my lecture was to show that the Hungarian Government gives priority to the development of freshwater fisheries and ensures financial support to this both in the scientific sphere and in the production activities.
I have presented two institutions directly supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, but I have to mention that fisheries research and training activities are actually performed by all agricultural universities of the country. Among institutions belonging to the Hungarain Academy of Sciences especially three institutions contributed to the development of fisheries sciences. These are the Balaton Limnological Research Institute in Tihany, the Hungarian Danube Research Station in Göd and the Institute of Veterinary Sciences located in Budapest.
I hope that this Session and the Symposium will contribute to the maintenance of best fishery traditions in the third millennium and also to the even closer cooperation of fishery experts in the conservation and sustainable use of our natural environment, as well as to the development of recreational activities and a more healthy human nutrition. With regard to these objectives, on behalf of the Hungarian Government, I open the EIFAC Session and the related Symposium on Fisheries and Society.
Thank you for your attention.
Address by
Mr Jaroslav Suchman
Subregional Representative for Central and Eastern Europe, FAO SEURIt is my pleasure to address the Twenty-first Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission on behalf of the Director-General of FAO, Mr Jaques Diouf, as his Representative for Central and Eastern Europe, and Mr Ichiro Nomura, Assistant Director-General of the Fisheries Department. Organization of such workshops, like this one is, in my opinion, an important occasion to have the opportunity to cooperate with the Hungarian Government.
I also wish to express my appreciation to the organizers of this seminar for giving me the opportunity to present brief information about the activities of FAO Subregional Office for Central and Eastern Europe to such a distinguished audience.
The Subregional Office for Central and Eastern Europe (SEUR) has been established in October 1995. Thanks to the hospitality of the Government of Hungary it is located in Budapest.
Today, the Office is fully staffed and operational including 7 professionals and 7 persons of support staff.
The main tasks of the Office are to:
monitor and report to HQ the major developments and trends in the Region;
identify priority areas of action for the Organization;
provide technical assistance to the member countries within the area of technical expertise available.
Thus, the Office is serving the role of a sensor, located in the first line of the front with main task to monitor the developments in the Region, transmit to HQ the needs of the Region and identify priority areas for action. The Office, as such, if I may continue using military terminology, should use its limited resources and ammunition within the priority areas, as defined by member countries themselves prior to the establishment of the Subregional Office and which are reflected by the expertise made available to the Subregional Office, which is as follows:
agricultural policy,
food standards and nutrition,
livestock development,
agricultural information systems,
farming systems development,
land tenure and rural development (since 1999).
I will highlight only some of the activities which, I assume, are of interest to you:
The major strength of FAO resides in its technical expertise and independence or probably the word "neutrality" will be better in this case. With these two strong points FAO is able - when requested by member governments - to organize a number of technical meetings at global, regional or national level to discuss and provide unbiased advice on important policy and technical issues, often of sensitive nature. FAO, through its neutral and high quality technical meetings, contributed to the elaboration and adoption of a number of international agreements setting quality standards or codes of conduct. However, majority of the meetings like workshops, training courses and seminars or studies are geared to provide neutral forum for the exchange of technical or scientific information, as well as discussion of specific problems and options available for their solution. These are the so called FAO normative activities, which are of interest to all or a large number of member countries.
Another way of assistance to the Member Nations is through specific projects implemented with technical assistance of FAO in a specific country and seeking to help resolve problems of a particular nature or remove constraints with the view to promote the agricultural and rural development in the country.
Since its foundation in 1957, EIFAC has grown from 16 members to 34, and I have the honour to announce that during the last intersessional period Iceland and Latvia did come on board.
In all these years the Commission has performed an important task in drawing the attention of its members to the importance of the sector of inland fisheries and aquaculture in the socio-economic context of the countries, an issue which has been taken up by the Symposium attached to this Session.
EIFAC continued to serve as a forum for exchange of information and for ensuring a common approach to inland fisheries throughout Europe. Indeed, for many years of its existence there has been no other body charged with the international aspects of inland fisheries. This has changed during the last 10 years, and with the imminent accession of a number of Central and Eastern European countries to the European Union also the role of EIFAC may change.
The achievements of the Commission are the achievements of its members and the voluntary contributions of scientists from every country have contributed to its work. The Commission�s achievements have been significant, as reflected by the numerous high quality publications either funded by FAO or its member countries. This remains an example for other Commissions to aspire to.
FAO is convinced that EIFAC will continue to play an important role in the management of European inland fisheries, and we will do whatever is possible to facilitate EIFAC�s work also in the future.
I am very glad that so many delegates and experts have been able to come here and I would like to thank you all in advance for the valuable contributions you will no doubt make to this Session and the Symposium attached to it.
Full success to your work.
Köszönöm a figyelmüket!
Address by
the Chairperson of EIFAC,
Mr Christopher Moriarty, IrelandHonourable Deputy State Secretary, distinguished delegates, dear friends and colleagues.
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Twenty-first Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission and the associated Symposium on Fisheries and Society in this beautiful city of Budapest.
On behalf of all the participants, I would like to ask you, Deputy State Secretary, to convey to your Government our gratitude for your kind invitation to hold the Twenty-first Session here in Hungary and to thank the Fish Culture Research Institute for the excellent arrangements.
This is the second time that Hungary has been the host country for EIFAC. The Twelfth Session was held here in Budapest and the subject of the Symposium was Stock Enhancement. I have to say that this is my first visit to Hungary - but I was happy to see that both of the Vice-chairs of EIFAC, Károly Pintér and Maria Bninska, took part in that meeting in 1982. On that occasion, the Chairperson, Professor K. Tiews, drew particular attention to the achievements of Hungary both in advancing new technologies and in disseminating its experience both around European countries and also to developing countries. It is very good to hear today from the Deputy State Secretary that Hungarian workers continue to take a lead in this respect.
With great regret I have to inform you of the death of our former colleague Jørgen Dahl of the Danish Inland Fisheries Institute. Jørgen represented his country at the First Session of EIFAC, held in Dublin 40 years ago, and until his retirement, was one of the most active members of the Commission, serving finally as a Vice-Chairperson.
Looking down the list of participants at the First Session, I see that I am the only person still involved in EIFAC - although I am happy to say that a number of the others are still alive and active in fisheries work.
The best news concerning EIFAC is that we are still growing. Fourteen member countries and one observer were represented in Dublin in 1960. Today we have 34 members. What is particularly pleasing about this is that our membership is still growing. Since the last Session, two countries, Iceland and Latvia have joined the Commission and I extend a warm welcome to their delegates. When you ask yourself the question: does EIFAC still have relevance forty years after its foundation, when so much has changed? The fact that membership continues to grow is a very clear indication of the value of the work of the Commission.
EIFAC is a Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. We share with some fisheries sectors of FAO the professional services of the Secretariat team under the able leadership of Heiner Naeve. Apart from experts occasionally employed as consultants, the work of EIFAC depends entirely on the personal commitment of individuals, all of whom are employed in other capacities within their countries. The member countries make a threefold contribution to the work of the Commission, firstly through the provision of funds to FAO, secondly, in many cases, by allowing their employees to devote some of their time to EIFAC, and, thirdly, by making the very considerable contribution of hosting the biennial Sessions and the meetings of Working Parties.
None of these situations is entirely satisfactory. It is quite difficult to make a case within FAO for the sort of increased funding for EIFAC that would allow it to recruit a full-time team of experts. It is equally difficult for the individuals, faced by ever-increasing workloads, to devote to EIFAC the time that its activities deserve. We have discussed these problems in the past - and will continue to do so. Fisheries managers and scientists are well aware of the value of the work of EIFAC, particularly in its achievements in tackling subjects of mutual interest and in the preparation of seminal publications. But we face a serious psychological problem in that the value of such achievements cannot be quantified in the terms which are readily comprehensible to those who take decisions on priorities in the distribution of funds.
Our examination of this problem at the last Session has led to the realization that, apart from report material, EIFAC had never made available any publication to inform the authorities or the fishing public of its existence, to say nothing of its contribution to fisheries management. Since then we have developed a web page and produced a leaflet, both of which summarize the activities of EIFAC and, above all, indicate the expertise which it can make available to planners.
During the intersessional, papers presented at the Twentieth Session Symposium on Water for Sustainable Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture were published as a special issue of Fisheries Management and Ecology, edited by Rudolf Müller and Heiner Naeve.
Most of you are here to take part in the Symposium on Fisheries and Society which will begin later today. I would like to thank the Chairperson of the Symposium Károly Pintér and the Convenor Matti Sipponen for their good work in making the arrangements and to thank all of those who are contributing papers or posters. At each EIFAC Session, the first part of the business is the symposium. It provides us all with a relatively rare opportunity to consider the subject on a continent-wide basis, rather than from a national or regional point of view.
The second part of the Session will begin next Monday and gives delegates the opportunity to review the work which has taken place in the last two years and to plan for the future.
My introduction to the Twentieth Session of EIFAC two years ago drew attention to a considerable number of listed topics on which no progress had been made. I believe that my address today is very much more positive. During the Twentieth Session we agreed to a considerable streamlining of our activities, including a more concentrated programme for this session. I am very happy to say this evening that progress has been made in all directions.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen, I look forward with you to a stimulating Symposium and Session.
Appendix E
SUMMARY REPORT OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON FISHERIES AND SOCIETYINTRODUCTION
1. A Symposium on Fisheries and Society was organized in conjunction with the Twenty-first Session of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) in Budapest, Hungary from 1 to 3 June 2000. Mr M. Sipponen (Finland) convened the Symposium, which was chaired by Mr K. Pintér (Hungary). The Symposium was attended by 99 participants from 27 countries.
REVIEW OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND POLICY ISSUES
2. Inland fisheries management in most European and North American countries tends increasingly to emphasize recreation and conservation rather than the older function of food production. Many of the problems currently facing managers lie in the transition from commercial to recreational fishing. Recreational fishing is thought to have a growing socio-economic benefit to society, through increased rent and through the development of tourism.
3. The transition from commercial to recreational use has been the cause of conflict between commercial and recreational fishermen and between recreational fishermen and conservationists. Many of the misunderstandings underlying these conflicts lie in difficulties of communication between the disciplines for lack of a common technical language. There is also a lack of appropriate mechanisms for dialogue and conflict resolution in some areas. However, the failure of dialogue between the two sectors of the fishing community more frequently arises through a lack of willingness on the part of the stronger group to discuss resource allocation with the minority group from a political perspective. Increasing demand for recreational fishing has put pressure on the natural, wild and the more remote fisheries. This has led to conflicts between local inhabitants and those who are not permanently resident in the locality.
4. The change in the political climate in Eastern Europe has resulted in a move away from a planned economy to one that is demand led. This has meant the development of new systems of management, which in shared water bodies can involve more than one country. There is still a lack of acceptance of laws that are aimed at safeguarding the stock.
5. The growth in recreational fishing has generated significant illegal movements of fish intra- and inter-nationally. Such trade has been generated in order to meet anglers� expectations, which are often obtained in countries other than the one in which they are resident. The main species subject to such movements are carp (Cyprinus carpio), wels catfish (Siluris glanis), crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio), a small number of sturgeon and crayfish species. The illegal movement of fish has led to the establishment of a number of non-native species in countries from which they were previously absent. It has also had implications for fish health as in the case of the co-introduction of a number of novel parasites (Ergasilids) which have been responsible for fish mortalities.
6. Fisheries science has widened its remit by including studies of the social and economic aspects of fishing. It has thus enlarged its view from that of concern with only the fish and its habitat to take into account the human dimension including fishermen�s preferences, attitudes and choices.
7. Co-management is one possible mechanism to ensure that the sociological aspects are accounted for. This inclusive approach to management brings together all aspects of the community and encourages a sense of ownership of the process and of the resources. The first step in moving towards active co-management is to analyse stakeholder structure, The next steps are to strengthen user organizations, adopt a participatory approach to management and to establish an adequate institutional framework for effective dialogue. Finally, the process of sharing responsibilities for management can be initiated.
8. Inclusion of all stakeholders in co-management systems ensures that decisions better reflect local, social, economic and environmental conditions. The success of co-management depends on meeting short-term economic and social aspirations of stakeholders, otherwise enthusiasm for the system is difficult to sustain.
9. In order for the various user groups to engage in meaningful dialogue, communication needs to be established through a common technical language. This tends to be difficult as fishermen tend to rely on their own experience and on anecdotal information whereas scientists rely more on informed opinion based on quantitative information.
10. Cooperative management is a mechanism whereby two or more countries agree on an approach to management of a transboundary water body. Representatives of fishery administrations, surveillance organizations, ichthyologists and fishermen meet within a formal framework to reach decisions based on consensus. Rivers and lakes that have been managed cooperatively have proved more sustainable than those where individual efforts by riparian countries are contradictory and confusing.
11. Providing fishing opportunities closer to the urban areas where most people live can reduce pressures on natural fisheries. There is, therefore, an urgent need to improve fishing sites in areas close to towns. Such urban fisheries need to be artificially maintained to produce higher catches than would otherwise be sustainable. Co-management approaches are needed to ensure that natural fisheries are managed sustainably and that they still generate angling tourism. Dialogue between local and tourism communities is needed, as is a commitment on the part of non-resident stakeholders.
ASSESSMENT AND VALUATION OF INLAND FISHERIES
12. Knowledge of the three sectors of European inland fisheries differs widely. Aquaculture is generally well understood with regard to its component enterprises, production techniques, species reared, market structure and economics. Less is known about the more complicated structure of food fisheries in rivers and lakes where the overlap between subsistence and commerce is particularly ill defined. Recreational fisheries with their substantial numbers of active anglers, who are divided into sub-cultures and are often not formally organized, are even more difficult to study. Generally, little is known about the motivations and expectations of anglers and the benefits that society may derive from their activities. This lack of knowledge is limiting in view of the increasing importance of recreational fisheries relative to commercial fisheries over most of Europe during recent years.
13. Two main approaches to management of recreational fisheries are common in Europe: (a) the protection of the aquatic environment by using its natural productivity but limiting the number of anglers supported, or (b) increasing angling opportunity through stocking and intensive management of the ecosystem. Each of these management systems has social and environmental benefits and costs that should correspond to the goals of the society in which they are applied.
14. Fishery associations and fish-watch services can play a valuable role in the re-establishment and maintenance of fish stocks and nature protection, particularly where war and other social and economic disruptions have damaged the resource.
15. Fisheries management is increasingly concerned with the management of people�s activity rather than the management of the fish stock. This has led to an increase in the number of studies aimed at determining the various human dimensions involved. Several different techniques have been elaborated to obtain relevant information. Most of these centre round various approaches to surveys to elucidate angler behaviour and preferences, and to assess economic value and dynamics. Fishery biologists and social scientists must cooperate to link biological criteria and catch and effort data to social and economic data from anglers. Despite these efforts an apparent lack of basic information on recreational fisheries and fishermen persists in a number of European countries.
16. A unified survey was carried out on recreational fisheries management and socio-economics in the five Nordic countries - Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland. The different institutional backgrounds and affiliations of the partners involved and their possibilities to fund their continued participation in the project received attention. Problems experienced in random sampling of population addresses from official registers due to differences in the definition of recreational fisheries and fishermen and to the fact that not all questions in questionnaires applied to the situation in a specific participating country were resolved. Combined surveys have been carried out successfully on several lakes in Texas, USA.
17. Fisheries in the rivers and lakes of Finland had been organized by statutory fishery associations in the past. These have not been effective especially with regard to commercial fisheries. At the same time the importance of recreational fisheries and aquaculture has increased although the commercial sector has remained static or even declined.
18. The efficiency of Finnish inland fisheries has been enhanced by a reorganization of the system, creating fisheries regions and introducing co-management schemes. Common goals were defined taking into account the interests of all parties involved, including owners of fishing rights, fishermen, administrators and researchers. These goals have helped in the implementation of the fishery policy. In general, priority is given to recreation in private waters, whereas commercial fisheries have been given priority in state-owned waters.
PERSPECTIVES IN INLAND FISHERIES
19. The next decade will be critical in ensuring the sustainable development of European inland fisheries and aquaculture. Increased pressures on the resource from recreational demand and environmental damage mean that all applicable methods should be used for planning and applied resource management. Models should be elaborated which give a macro-economic perspective. The socio-economic value of the fishery and of related activities should be established more precisely and the various needs of resource users, and new scientific and technical developments taken into account.
20. In general, aquaculture is directed at satisfying food requirements in general through improved supply, quality, price and marketing. Aquaculture should also support needs related to the availability of fish for restocking water bodies for production, recreation and for the preservation of biodiversity. In view of the ongoing debate in Europe a position should eventually be developed by members of EIFAC with regard to Genetically Modified Organisms.
21. Subsistence fisheries still constitute a significant socio-economic activity in some areas. These should be kept under review to assess changes occurring in the activity and required policy adjustments.
22. Artisanal fisheries should be assessed separately from commercial fisheries, if only because the artisanal sector generally relies more on traditional methods and techniques that may be less destructive and more appropriate for meeting conservation objectives. These methods may also need to be preserved as a historical and cultural heritage that may further prove useful for defining improved exploitation and management methods.
23. Commercial fishing is an important sector in financial terms. Market forces directly drive this sector. It generates direct returns and employment benefit that can be substantial at the level of local economies. Increasing development of this sector may generate conflicts with other users and lead to serious resource overexploitation.
24. Recreational fisheries have grown in importance throughout Europe in recent years and have been the object of increased research. Research and fisheries administrations have been especially involved in the assessment of the production and socio-economic value of this activity as compared with other more commercial uses. The role of recreational fisheries should be better recognized and recreational fishers should be involved more systematically in the management of fisheries.
25. Conflicts between resource users can occur as a result of direct competition for the same fishery resource, or because resource and environmental degradation caused by one category of users is not acceptable by other users. In some cases these conflicts are resolved by limitations on access or by partitioning the resource in space or time to allow access to a greater range of users.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
26. The Symposium demonstrated that the value of the inland fisheries resources in member countries of EIFAC considerably exceeds previous estimates albeit on the basis of preliminary studies. Indications are that in coming years there will be an increased demand for inland fishery products including especially recreational use. There will also be a continued demand on water and aquatic environments for purposes other than fisheries. Inland fisheries resources will not be able to sustain increased levels of production and alternative use without careful management of the fish, the aquatic environments and the human elements of the fisheries represented by the various stakeholders. In general the members of EIFAC should endeavour to encourage policies directed at increasing the capacity of the inland fisheries to meet sustainably the expectation that the public place upon them.
Co-management
27. Co-management is a valuable tool for the sustainable management of fisheries. It should also facilitate the resolution of potential conflicts among user groups. Fisheries administrations need to better recognize the need for co-management and to support improved institutional and organizational mechanisms to facilitate the adoption of this mechanism. Dialogue between all stakeholders in the fisheries is normally part of co-management but dialogue between local and tourism communities is also needed, as is a commitment on the part of non-resident stakeholders.
28. There are clear indications that fisheries in international and shared rivers and lakes are better managed if collaborative mechanisms are in place. Mechanisms for collaborative management of trans-national lakes and rivers should therefore be established where they do not already exist.
29. The high degree of interactivity between the various users of inland waters and the impacts that can result from poor management practice within a watershed make it essential that appropriate linkages between fishery administrations and various user groups are maintained. These should serve as mechanisms for negotiations to ensure that at least the minimum requirements for the maintenance of healthy fish communities are established.
30. The growing importance of the human dimensions of inland fisheries means that social scientists should be more closely involved in research and management of the fishery. Their role should be to elucidate the complex linkages that underlie fishery policy formulation to ensure that all stakeholders are included in dialogues regarding the fishery and to resolve any possible conflicts.
Database, statistics, science
31. Basic information on recreational fisheries is still incomplete in some parts of Europe. Efforts should be increased to better this situation. Techniques developed for the estimation of environmental goods that have so far been rarely applied to inland fisheries in Europe should be further assessed and promoted.
32. Technical terms should be defined when starting joint projects, be it on the level of different disciplines or among neighbouring countries on the same subject.
33. In view of the need for a better understanding of socio-economic issues, surveys should be undertaken more systematically in EIFAC member countries. It is recommended that EIFAC�s Working Party on Socio-economic Aspects of Inland Fisheries organize an ad hoc workshop on methodologies for socio-economic surveys. This should build upon the existing experience as reflected in contributions to this Symposium to review concepts and methodologies and to ensure harmonized approaches to future studies.
Environmental issues
34. The fishing community should be prepared to meet the increasing concerns of the animal welfare movement, particularly with regard to catch-and-release fisheries.
35. Prospective assessment and long-term projections should be carried out so as to facilitate and improve the management process. An integrated approach is required at this level and assessments should concern all key factors (resource, environment, and socio-economic variables such as population trends, etc.). This is all the more important if one considers that management should satisfy various socio-economic needs, as well as the requirements for the protection of the resource and its environment.
36. EIFAC involvement with the problem of illegal international movements of fish could be achieved by national contacts working closely together to raise awareness of the ecological threat of such practice and thus draw the serious nature of the problem to the attention of the enforcement agencies. The development of an international network across Europe and the development of awareness building programmes would be the first step in trying to reduce this problem.
Financing
37. In view of the demonstrated importance of the inland fisheries sector, the growing challenges for its sustainable management and the increasing international dimensions of tourism and environmental concerns, the Symposium felt that collaborative efforts and technical cooperation among members should be strengthened. It urged EIFAC to intensify intersessional activities through cooperative programmes on key technical and management issues. Financing should be sought in support of such programmes.
38. In view of the important contribution of recreational fishing to society, appropriate financing should be allocated to the sector by governments.
Education and communication
39. A system of education of commercial fishermen is a good basis for ensuring the future of inland fisheries. Programmes should also be developed for the education of anglers where not already in existence. Efficient communication projects should also be promoted to raise public awareness of the benefits of inland fisheries.
Management policy
40. Efforts should be increased to rehabilitate and improve the state of rivers, lakes and lagoons with a view to preserving sustainable fishing activities.
41. To conform to consumer preferences towards shorter fishing trips and to the growing urbanization of European societies there is an urgent need to improve fishing sites in areas close to towns.
42. Subject to management requirements, access to fishing grounds should be maintained for commercial fishermen where traditional access rights already exist or where there are strong economic and social justifications.
Appendix F
EIFAC SYMPOSIUM ON
INLAND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTJune 2002
PROSPECTUS AND FIRST CALL FOR PAPERS
The European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission will hold a Symposium on Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment in connection with its Twenty-second Session in June 2002.
Rationale
There is an increasing requirement for an international forum to consolidate our understanding of the inter-relationship between fisheries management activities and other environmental issues. The relationships between environment and fisheries act in two directions: first, adverse and beneficial environmental activities which impinge on fish populations and fish communities (e.g. physical disturbances, pollution); and secondly, the effects of fish and fisheries management practices on the environment (e.g. improvement of fish habitats contributes to a better quality of the environment; modifications of the structure of fish communities change the food web and can improve the water quality; or, alternatively, stock enhancement or rehabilitation may lead to an unforeseen deterioration in the ecosystem or loss of biodiversity).
The focus of this Symposium will be on the effects of fish and fisheries management practices on the aquatic environment.
Symposium objectives
To bring together inland fisheries experts to exchange knowledge among countries and to present, in reviews, an appraisal of fisheries management activities and their impact on the environment, constraints on their application, issues and options regarding their utilization, and the benefits and problems associated with these activities.
To identify constraints and gaps in our knowledge that affect the application of fisheries management activities in inland fisheries.
To recommend and promote action to improve the management of inland fisheries to the benefit of the aquatic environment.
To provide guidelines for the policy formulation, planning methodology and evaluation of future fisheries management activities.
Themes
The EIFAC Symposium on Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment aims to collect and discuss case studies on the benefits and negative impacts of fisheries management measures on the aquatic environment. The Symposium will deal with these effects in three sessions:
Management of fish communities (e.g., biomanipulation, introduction and stocking practice).
Fishing activities (e.g., capture methods, selection of fishing gear, side effects of fishing activities on benthic and riparian communities).
Fish habitat modifications (including rehabilitation measures, mitigation measures).
The case studies are likely to include topics such as:
impacts on biodiversity;
impacts on sustainability;
successful and unsuccessful management approaches;
development of management programmes/plans;
development of codes of practice;
effects on legislation, and
raising public awareness.
The Symposium is addressed to stakeholders in several levels of the decision making process, user groups and scientists. Participation and contributions are expected from persons in various institutions like:
government;
universities;
fisheries agencies;
fisheries organizations;
environmental groups, and
other interested parties.
The Symposium should contribute to a better awareness of the role and effect of good fisheries management practices on the aquatic environment and show how fisheries management measures can be applied to maximize the positive effects and to minimize the negative impact on the environment. The Symposium should identify and guide actions to be taken both within the fisheries sector and by agencies and persons involved in environmental management issues. The output should lead to an integrated management of fish stocks in which fisheries and environmental objectives are met.
Contributions are invited within any of the above broad headings. It is suggested that the majority will relate to experiences within countries, both reviewing past and present and predicting future opportunities for more sustainable and responsible management of fish, fish habitats and fisheries. Inter-active discussion during the Symposium will lead to a major statement embracing the entire concept of the inland fisheries of Europe. Anyone wishing to present a paper or poster display should submit a title by 31 March 2001 to the Secretary of EIFAC, Fishery Resources Division, FAO, Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy, E-mail: [email protected], Fax: (+39) 065705 3020.
Papers will be accepted in English or French, the working languages of EIFAC, but no interpretation will be provided during the Symposium. An abstract, not to exceed 150 words, of the proposed contribution should be submitted, preferably by e-mail, by 31 August 2001. The Steering Committee will review all abstracts in relation to the objectives and themes of the Symposium and the authors will be informed of the outcome by 1 December 2001. Successful authors must submit a full manuscript not later than 1 March 2002.
The Convener of the Symposium is Mr D. Gerdeaux (France), E-mail: gerdeaux @thonon.inra.fr, Fax: (+33-1) 5026 0760
The Chairman is Mr I. Cowx (United Kingdom), E-mail: [email protected], Fax: (+44-1482) 470129.
1 Subsequent to the Session, the ad hoc EIFAC/EC Working Party on Market Perspectives of European Freshwater Aquaculture was established under the umbrella of Sub-Commission II. Mr L. Váradi agreed to convene this working party.