FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

MEDRAP II FOURTH STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

BYBLOS - LEBANON

3–5 NOVEMBER 1993

WEDENESDAY 3/11/1993

OPENING SESSION

AGENDA ITEM 1

1. The 4th Steering Committee Meeting of MEDRAP II Was held from 3–5 November 1993 in Byblos, Lebanon.

2. The Meeting was attended by the National and Sub-Regional Coordinators of Albania, Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. Also present were Representatives of UNDP (N.Y.). FAO (Rome), FAO/GFCM, CIHEAM and the coordinator of MEDRAP II.

3. The meeting was opened by the Vice-Chairman of the Previous cycle, Mr. G. Kadari who welcomed all present and passed the floor to Mr. H. Kouyoumdjian, the National Coordinator of Lebanon.

4. Mr. H. Kouyoumdjian welcomed all participants wishing them a memorable stay. he noted that this is the first time that Lebanon organise an international meeting after 17 years of war. He mentioned that this event will have a positive effect on the aquaculture development in his country.

5. Mr. H. Akrout, the MEDRAP II Project Coordinator, thanked all the countries present, and expressed his gratitude to the Lebanese Authorities for their hospitality and particularity to the National Coordinator Mr. Kouyoumdjian who has always been helpful. He wished to Lebanon much success in the implementation of the future aquaculture projects. He also thanked the representatives of UNDP N.Y. FAO, CIHEAM and GYCM. He briefly presented the future MEDRAP structure and thanked the networks coordinating Organisations for their willingness to assume the coordination role.

6. Mr. Georges Thome, President of the National Council for scientific Research (NCSR) officially welcomed all participants and thanked the Coordinators for all their support to Lebanon. He gave a summary of past, present and future aquaculture activities in Lebanon. He announced that the National Pilot Station, being developped by the Marine Research Centre of the NCSR, is expected to be realised soon, and that the Marine Research Centre will move very soon to new premises.

7. Mr. Amor Ben Romdhane, FAO Representative in Lebanon and Cyprus, thanked the representatives of MEDRAP Countries for their presence. He pointed out the interest of the Lebanese authorities in the aquaculture development. He wished much success to Lebanon in the development of their pilot station and a fruitful meeting to all present.

8. Mr. Nadir Hadj Hammou, Deputy Resident Representatives in UNDP Beirut welcomed the participants on behalf of UNDP. He reiterated UNDP's eagerness to see the project achieve all its objectives and all networks become operational and sustainable. He hoped that the project would constitute a successful example of North-South cooperation.

9. Mr. Adel Choueiri, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture stressed the importance of developing this sector in Lebanon by the Marine Research Centre/NCSR. He promised the complete assistance and support of the Ministry of Agriculture in his collaborative action.

10. The officials of the meeting were unanimously elected as follows:

11. The agenda was adopted with minor changes.

AGENDA ITEM 2   MEDRAP II ACTIVITIES REPORT

1. The Coordinator, Mr. H.Akrout introduced the relevant document. Work during 1993 was centred on the establishment of the networks and the selection of the Coordinating Organisations. Good participation of the Member Countries was achieved in all meetings, but despite the efforts of the MEDRAP II Coordinator, neither Spain nor Italy did participate in MEDRAP. Their participation in MEDRAP II is of great importance. In the budget management there were some savings for next year's activities. Activities of some networks have already started (TECAM and EAM). He stressed the need to start the third phase of MEDRAP based on self-sufficiency and contribution from the countries.

AGENDA ITEM 3   NATIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL REPORTS ON RESPECTIVE 1993 ACTIVITIES

1. The following sub-regional coordinators presented reports about their respective sub-regions.

All the speakers referred to the developments of aquaculture in their sub-region highlighting the prospects and constraints. The lack of communication between the countries of each region and the sub-regional centres was pointed out as well as the different level of aquaculture in the various countries of each sub-region.

2. The National Coordinators of each MEDRAP II Member countries gave additional and more extensive information on aquaculture in their respective countries (Annexe 1)

SESSION 2

AGENDA ITEM 4 : REVIEW OF THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE NETWORKS CONSTITUTIONS SEMINARS (SIPAM, TECAM, SELAM AND EAM)

1. Mr. O.Ledoux, Consultant, reviewed the conclusions of the above seminars. He pointed out that the need for finding sources of finance became evident for all our networks as well as the definition of programme of work and the contribution from Member countries. Mr. h. Akrout made some suggestions which will be reflected in the final respective report.

ADENDA ITEM 5 : MEDRAP II BUDGET SITUATION 1993

1. Mr. R. Ziesler (FAO/FIDO) summarised the budget situation and suggested redistribution of line 3100 and 1400 of RAb/89/005/F. As regards the RER/87/009/I budget, he stressed that the project covers the activities up to the end of 1994 only.

2. Mr. B. Aktouf (UNDP N.Y.) state that countries' contributions should be quantified and reflected in the Project reports. In this connection , he referred to a deficiency in terms of reporting. He appreciated the interventions made in the morning session by National and Sub-Regional Coordinators who highlighted the various field activities made at the national level in terms of support to industry, involvement of the private sector, legislation, etc… He hoped that future reports would reflect these facts and would be submitted on a systematic and regular basis.

   Mr. H. Akrout, Project Coordinator gave clarification on the financial contribution required. He mentioned that all documents and relevant correspondences have been sent to UNDP Tunis Office. He promised to directly send, in the future, copies of all the relevant documentation to UNDP N>Y> (Arab Bureau).

   Mr. B. Aktouf (UNDP) confirmed the fact that the yearly allocations set in the current budget revision (signed in June 93) cannot be amended. However, the situation may change in the future depending on the overall programme expenditure in 1993. If it does, new targets for the project will be communicated to FAO. For the time being, while changes between budget lines are allowed, the yearly budget must be adhered to.
   UNDP is extremely eager to see government and institutions support the Project and translate their expression of support into concrete contributions , either in kind or in cash. The sooner these contributions are made, the better. There is a risk that if contributors do no materialise, interruption of activities would lead to a loss of momentum and hence jeopardise networks and MEDRAP's sustainability.

AGENDA ITEM 6   CONSTITUTION OF A WORKING GROUP FOR THE ELABORATION OF PROPOSALS ON THE 1994–95 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET

The followings persons were designated by the meetings to form the above mentioned working group:

AGENDA ITEM 7   INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK OF THE NETWORKS: ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND COORDINATING MECHANISMS

The Project Coordinator expanded on the institutional framework of the Networks and gave additional relevant clarifications to question raised by the participants.

AGENDA ITEM 8   COMMITMENT OF GFCM IN THE FUTURE COOPERATION

1. The Secretary of GFCM suggested to change the title of this item to “Decision of the 20th session of the General Fisheries Council of the Mediterranean (GFCM) concerning the coordination of MEDRAP Networks”. He informed the meeting that GFCM was created in 1948 by a inter-governmental agreement under Article XVof FAO constitution. The Agreement did not provide the Council with an individual budget. The cost of the Secretariat, the administrative support, the organisation of its different regular and ad hoc meetings are charged to FAO Regular Programme.

   The broad terms of reference of the council as described in the Agreement and amended in 1972 were:

   - to promote and strengthen cooperation among its member countries in fisheries development, statistics and research.

   The Steering Committee was also informed about the structure and functioning of the GFCM and noticed that the GFCM is governed by the Council itself, which meets every two years and by its Committee on Management of Fisheries which also meets on a bi-annual basis.

   The Various technical consultations making parties and other ad hoc meetings organised by GFCM aim at providing the Council and its Committee on Management of Fisheries with the necessary technical backstopping management recommendations.

   The Steering Committee took note of the discussion that were held during the 20th session of the GFCM concerning the coordination of MEDRAP networks at the end of the project and noted with satisfaction the recommendation of the Council to entrust its Executive Committee with this role.

   The Council decided that the composition of the Executive Committee should be reviewed in view of its expansion to include additional representatives from member countries and representatives from the Networks Coordinators as observers. The Steering Committee noted also that many countries expressed their wish to see in the near future a Committee on Management of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean created within GFCM to coordinate the present network and activities.

AGENDA ITEM 9   REVIEW OF THE SIPAM NETWORK DOCUMENT

1. Mr. D.Lacroix (SIPAM) gave a presentation on the establishment of the SIPAM Network and its prospective contribution to aquaculture development in the region. He announced that IFREMER will offer to SIPAM, free of charge, its databank on bibliographic references on aquaculture in the Mediterranean. This generous offer was greatly appreciated by MEDRAP II Member Countries.

2. The meeting, after deliberation, recommended the immediate implementation of the SIPAM Activities.

3. Mr. Hedi Gazbar, Tunisia, reiterated the willingness of the Tunisian Government to host the SIPAM Networks and to provide its Regional Centre with the necessary basic facilities and technical staff. He mentioned that the Tunisian Minister of Agriculture, in his speech addressed during the SIPAM constitution seminar, underlined the importance of promoting aquaculture through a computerised system. The Minister had pointed out that IRESA accepted to provide the logistics support to the Network.

THURSDAY 4/11/93

3RD SESSION

AGENDA ITEM 9   REVIEW OF THE SIPAM NETWORK DOCUMENT

The Steering Committee decided not to include the provisional budgets of each Network in the Document proper, but to annex them as indicative budgets. Some minor amendments in the structure and other items related to SIPAM were proposed and approved.
Finally the Network Document was approved by all the participating Representatives. The final version will be distributed with this report.

AGENDA ITEM 10   REVIEW OF THE EAM NETWORK DOCUMENT

The Network Document was presented by Mr. I. Katavic, on behalf of the PAP/RAC Director. After discussion on the various item and the proposed amendments related to the Management structure, the Document was approved by all the participating representative. The provisional budgets were also taken out of the Document itself and included in the annexes. The Final version will distributed with this report.

AGENDA ITEM 11   REVIEW OF THE TECAM AND SELAM NETWORK DOCUMENT

The delegate of CIHEAM Introduced the TECAM and SELAM Networks Document by giving some information on the CIHEAM objectives, procedures and responsibilities. It was pointed out that, in general, the proposed objectives of the TECEM/SELAM Networks are in accordance with the CIHEAM Priorities: coordination of the research activities at the regional level and enhancement of training. It was also mentioned that in Networking activities CIHEAM deals with institutions (or individuals) and not with Governments.

After redrafting some items of the Document concerning the management structure, the transitional phase (1993–94), the activities and the provisional budget (annexed), the final version of the Network Document was adopted by all the participating representatives and will be distributed with this report.

4TH SESSION

WORKING GROUP REPORT

AGENDA ITEM 12   PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES FOR 1994–95 AND BUDGET

1. Mr. R. Ziesler (FAO) who was acting as chairperson of the above working group, reported on the proposals elaborated by the working Group in terms of activities for 1994 and gave a full account of the proposed changes.
   For TECAM, additional meetings of working groups were proposed for a) Fish Disease and b) Nutrition in Malta and C) Diversification of aquaculture in Cyprus. Malta, through the National Coordinator Mr. C. Agius, offered to cover the lodging expenses of the participants and hosting facilities. This offer was appreciated by the Steering Committee. Mrs. STephanou (Cyprus) stated that it is necessary to seek the authorisation of Cyprus Government to cover the expenses of the working group on diversification of aquaculture and will submit a request to the Government accordingly.

2. Mr. I. Katavic informed the participants that PAP/RAC contribution to EAM budget was cut by the MAP Contracting Parties to USD 45,000 for 1994 and for 1995 to USD 50,000.

3. As MEDRAP II will allocate a lesser amount (USD 34,500) than PAP/RAC (USD 45,000) to EAM Network activities, the Project Coordinator promised that the balance (USD 9,500) will be allocated to the mentioned Network in 1995.

(3bis) Mr. Menezes (Portugal proposed that the Workshop on impacts of outfalls should preceed the other activities. This was accepted.

4. Mr. Plaza (CIHEAM) offered to host the meeting of the Workshop on marketing of Aquaculture Products in Greece (Crete). He suggested to combine the preparatory meeting for the workshop with the Working group meeting for 1995 of SELAM Program by enlarging the first one and to contribute to its organisation.

5. Mrs. Zlatanova (Bulgaria) informed the participants of the training material that exists in FAO for project formulation and implementation and that relative training courses will be organised in Bulgaria during next year. Participation from MEDRAP II member countries could be examined.

6. The matter of contribution of MEDRAP II to TECAM and SELAM proposed activities was raised as well as possible contributions from other countries.

   In view of budgetary restrictions, and in order to reflect the commitment of member countries to MEDRAP, the President Mr. Kouyoumdjian (Lebanon) proposed that the member countries cover the expenses of the participation of their representatives to the next Steering Committee meeting. This was acceptedandMr. Akrout proposed to reallocate the savings in activities of TECAM and SELAM. The project Coordinator is invited to send to MEDRAP Member Countries a letter to explain the financial difficulties that the Project is facing and ask them a) to cover the expenses of their representatives in the next Steering Committee, and b) to contribute by financing some activities.

8. Mr. Aktouf (UNDP N.Y.) stated that UNDP does not yet have an accurate perception of what MEDRAP II has achieved in the field and this must be demonstrated by the countries. He announced that in 1994 a MEDRAP II evaluation mission will take place. He stressed the urgent need to mobilise resources. Before approaching other donors, efforts should be made to secure funding from the participating countries themselves.

   Moreover, resource mobilisation is complex exercise requiring significant preparatory work which should be initiated as soon as possible. Donor could perhaps be approached immediately after the evaluation of the Project.

   Towards this end, he expressed UNDP's willingness to assist in targeting the efforts and locating donors. However, this is subject to confirmation by UNDP RBAS in due course.

9. In response to the statement of UNDP N.V. Representative, the representatives of Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal stated that MEDRAP has been well perceived in many countries, and has even played a significant role in the development of aquaculture in their countries. The sub-regional coordinators and the Project Coordinator also subscribed.

9bis As regards evaluation, the meeting and the Project Coordinator welcomed the mission and mentioned that it has been requested since 1991.

10. Mr. H. Akrout proposed to form and ad hoc Committee to look into seeking funding sources.
    The Committee will be composed by the National Coordinators of Lebanon, Algeria, France and Malta. The committee will work in cooperation with MEDRAP II Coordinator.

11. Mr. Aktouf, UNDP N.Y. asked the Project Coordinator to examine the role of the Sub-regional Centres in the new MEDRAP Structure in line with the new phase of MEDRAP and as result of some of the concerns expressed by the Sub-Regional Coordinators in this respect.

12. The budget and program of activities were finally adopted after revision. The final version is given in Annex 2.

AGENDA 13 C0NCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations were made:

1. The meeting asks the Project Coordinator and the Director of PAP/RAC to ensure the participation of Bulgaria and Portugal (who are not members of MAP) to the EAM Network.

2. The meeting asks the Project Coordinator and the Countries' delegates to ensure the participation of CIHEAM Countries (Cyprus, Syria, Bulgaria and Libya) to the TECAM and SELAM Networks.

3. The meeting asks the Members of the Steering Committee to undertake and to deploy maximum effort to secure financial contribution from their respective authorities.

AGENDA ITEM 14 ADJOURNEMENT OF THE MEETING

MR. AKTOUF UNDP N.Y. thanked all participants for their contributions and the hosting country. Appreciations were also expressed by the meeting to UNDP N.Y. Representative for his participation in the work of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee thanked UNDP and all the Agencies for their continuous support and contribution.

All the National Coordinators and the Project Coordinator take this opportunity to convey their special thanks to the Lebanese Authorities and the National Coordinator Mr. H. Kouyoumdjian who spared no efforts in making this meeting a successful one.

NEXT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING IN TURKEY, IN DECEMBER 1994.

Meeting adjourned 8:05 pm, November 5th, 1993.