It is essential that the responsibilities are carefully defined in order that the necessary work on the designated vessel is completed in time for the beginning of the 1990 season of investigation on the lake (March/April 1990). This issue should be urgently resolved in view of the restricted period available for work at the lake between now and spring 1990.
The major renovations and refitting have been agreed to in meetings between the NPD, TA and the engineers and carpenters who will be responsible for carrying out the necessary works. The appropriate workshop personnel should now receive clear orders as to the work to be done and the source of funds should be clarified. It is understood that the NPD currently has these matters in hand.
This work should be carefully supervised by the NPD or designated team members in order to ensure that the requirements of the survey team are met.
In order to provide “off-road” carrying capacity it was decided to provide suitable trailers instead of a pick-up truck; these trailers to be constructed to the required specifications in time for the start of the fieldwork season in March/April 1990.
One trailer will be of a size suitable for carrying one of the 5 m aluminium work boats, and its accessories and outboard motor. A second trailer will be required to carry approximately 250 kg of general equipment.
Both of these trailers should be constructed to allow for a high ground clearance and a suspension suitable for travel off the road. The wheels chosen should be the same size and fitting as the wheels of the towing vehicles in order to reduce the need for carrying additional spare wheels.
It is understood that no decision has yet been made as to the construction of these trailers or whether they should be constructed in the workshops of the Fisheries Factory or by outside contractors. These orders and the sources of funds should be finalized as soon as possible.
A considerable part of the fieldwork activity will be based on the Qinghai Lake Fisheries Factory. In view of the lack of experience of the factory management and personnel in support of such activities it is requested that the requirements and responsibilities of the Bureau are clearly stated and conveyed to the factory management.
Although it is anticipated that there will be a minimum of disruption to the work of the factory, there will be a need for occasional priority in the use of berthing facilities for the survey vessel; the need for repair and maintenance facilities on an ad hoc basis; the occasional need for the use of vehicles, etc. In all these requirements the full cooperation of the factory management will be essential.
In discussions with the NPD it was proposed to provide a new laboratory in the General Extension Station of the Bureau at the same location as the other office and storage accommodation of the Lake Investigation Team. It is understood that the design and modification of existing rooms will take time and will require the allocation of funds. In view of the need to be prepared to receive equipment and apparatus for storage, commissioning and the training of the team members, it should be noted that the existing, extensive laboratory space and equipment are in the adjacent building and can provide an acceptable facility until such time as the new laboratory is available.
The movement of TA personnel engaged in field work has presented no problems. However, it is apparently necessary to receive permission from the authorities for foreign personnel to visit the north shore of the Qinghai Lake. In view of the need to carry out extensive field work along this north shore and the inflow streams it is essential that long-term, multiple-visit permission is granted to the foreign members of the Lake Investigation Team throughout the period of the project.
Representations to the local authorities should therefore be made before the return of the TA inputs next spring.
Much information of importance to the fishery investigations is available in the records of government and academic organizations in Xining (e.g., agriculture development records of the lake area; hydraulic records of the lake and the rivers and streams of the catchment; meteorological statistics; and a considerable body of academic scientific work on the lake and its biota).
A formal approach, at a high level, should be made to the institutions and organizations which may be able to provide useful data or contacts with knowledgeable individuals. In this way the investigations of the team may benefit from work already carried out. On the return of the TA personal contacts can be initiated.
