T E C H N I C A L C O O P E R A T I O N P R O G R A M M E
Terminal Statement
prepared for
the Government of Iran
by
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 1989
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Iran has an excellent potential for the further development of coldwater fisheries, which is presently at a standstill. The estimated coldwater fish production in Iran has been rather low - about 1 750 t from 60 ha of 20 licensed farms. An additional 1 000 t/year of trout was estimated to be produced on non-licensed farms. Currently, a major government programme to increase the production of Caspian salmon and rainbow trout is under way. Owing to this rapid expansion of coldwater fisheries, a shortage of skilled coldwater fish-farm managers and experts has occurred.
At the request of the Government of Iran, FAO recruited a Senior Aquaculturist from 14 August to 2 September 1987 to assess the coldwater fishery potential and needs in Iran and to identify the major lines of development. He reported that, in addition to a shortage of fish feed, widespread diseases and difficulties in maintaining the quality of fish feeds, the lack of technical training limited the further development of coldwater fisheries.
The Government of Iran accordingly requested FAO assistance in training in coldwater fisheries. This assistance was approved by FAO in September 1987 under the Technical Cooperation Programme, project TCP/IRA/6755. The total FAO contribution was $US 90 000, and the duration of the project was 14 months. The Ministry of Agriculture was designated as the government agency responsible for project execution.
The objective of the project was to strengthen the national capacity in coldwater fisheries.
The course was held at Kalerdasht Coldwater Fish Hatchery in northern Iran, near the Caspian Sea, for six weeks between 18 January and 3 March 1988. The project supplied the services of a team of four lecturers. The lectures were delivered in English with simultaneous interpretation into Farsi. The Hatchery had a well-equipped lecture room, containing a whiteboard, slide projector, epidiascope, video apparatus and colour television, that was suitable for 30 trainees. A laboratory with the necessary equipment was also available for teaching.
At the time of the course, Caspian salmon eggs were under incubation, rainbow trout eggs were stripped and fingerlings of both species were held in tanks. The manager and the staff of the farm were highly cooperative, providing the necessary biological material and their time, as needed.
The course was organized by the Shilat (State Fisheries Company of Iran), which also provided transport for the trainees and lecturers. Accommodation for trainees was provided at a large guest house about 1 km from the Hatchery.
Training material, including a portable chemical testing laboratory (Aquacheck), slide projector, video recorder, television set, overhead projector, voltage stabilizer, video cassettes, glassware and chemicals, for a total value of $US 10 000, were provided by the project.
Classes were held six days a week in two working sessions from 08.30 to 09.30 h and 10.00 to 12.00 h. Practicals were conducted in the afternoon from 14.00 to 17.30 h. The subjects covered were coldwater fish culture technology, fish pathology, fish nutrition and fish genetics.
The course began with 17 trainees, but several others arrived later, bringing the total number to about 25. The number changed from day to day. The trainees, except two, were graduates in fishery science, agriculture, biology or cover relevant subjects. The level of interest and attention shown by the trainees was very high.
Summaries of the lectures were provided in advance to the local counterpart staff, who translated them into Farsi for distribution to the trainees. At the end of the course, an examination in the form of 00 multiple-choice questions was held. All the trainees successfully passed the examination. A total of 24 books on the different lecture subjects were made available for the trainees as additional background reading material. The use of audiovisual material (five video films) increased the efficiency of the course.
At the end of the course, the trainees were asked to complete a confidential questionnaire designed to evaluate the usefulness of the course. The trainees reported high satisfaction with the course. The standard of the lectures was rated good and the majority of the trainees considered the practicals well organized and useful. A request for more practicals was made.
The evaluation questionnaire showed that most of the trainees will work in the field of coldwater fisheries. During the roundtable discussions at the end of each class, it became clear to the lecturers that the trainees had achieved a good level of knowledge and can work efficiently in coldwater fishery. In addition to the subjects presented during the course, the trainees requested detailed information on brackish water cage culture technology.
The final text of all lectures has been edited and will be published by the FAO Fisheries Department.
The training course was judged to be successful by both the Fisheries Department (Shilat) and the Department of Jehad Ministry. Both organizations expressed interest in organizing follow-up courses in cage technology, fish diseases and genetics. It may be necessary for Iran to seek technical assistance for this work.
It is recommended that the substantial resources of kilka in the Caspian Sea be utilized more as a component of trout feed, since good quality animal protein components are not readily available.
For the further development of Iranian coldwater fish culture, the establishment of a chain of diagnostic laboratories is recommended. The Government should prepare plans and allocate funds for their establishment and, if necessary, seek external technical assistance for this planning exercise.
A training course in fish diseases for veterinarians is recommended, as there are no regular classes in fish diseases at the veterinary faculties of universities in Iran. If a chain of diagnostic laboratories is to be established, their operation will require the services of specialists.
A project for the monosex production of cyprinids and sturgeons is also recommended.
