The consultant team, which consisted of aquatic weed specialist, Mr G. Sainty, and fishery biologist, Mr I.G. Dunn, travelled to Egypt to undertake a study of the problem of aquatic weed control in relation to the fisheries on Lake Edku and the Barsik Fish Farm, both situated in the Nile Delta. Their visit to Egypt was from 28 August to 20 September 1985.
It was considered that the close interaction between the conditions of weed growth and the fish production and yield demanded that the consultants approached the study as a collaborative project. However, the results of their study are presented as two separate reports, one of which (the present report based on the work of G. Sainty) concentrates mainly on the weed aspects, the other dealing with the predominantly fisheries associated problems (Field Document 1 based on the work of I.G. Dunn).
The terms of reference of the Aquatic Weed Specialist were :
to assess the distribution and dynamics of major aquatic plants of Lake Edku ;
to identify the possible practical and economic use of the major plants ;
to suggest effective and economic ways of plant harvesting for each use;
to critically evaluate the efficiency of and control of water hyacinth by herbicides; in this respect liaise with the relevant authority in charge of these activities.
The broad objectives of the TCP assistance were to assist in controlling aquatic weeds on the Barsik Fish Farm on Lake Edku, to assess the present situation on Lake Edku where weed growth limits the capture of fisheries, and to assess the feasibility of economic utilization of aquatic plants. Other objectives of this project were the provision of equipment for mechanical removal of weeds from ponds and of herbicides for weed control on pond embankments. Two Egyptian scientists/ managers were sent on a study tour to become acquainted with up-to-date technologies and management approaches in controlling aquatic weeds and in fish culture in water bodies impacted by aquatic weeds.
The two consultants were to clarify the present situation of weed infestation in the Barsik Fish Farm and Lake Edku, to assess management possibilities and to put forward ideas for enhancement of fisheries and for weed control.
