1. The Second Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the UNDP/FAO Regional project for Inland Fisheries Planning, Development and Management in Eastern/Central/Southern Africa (IFIP) was held from 24 to 26 April 1991 at Bujumbura, Burundi.
ITEM 1: OPENING OF THE MEETING AND ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON
2. The project coordinator, Dr. D. Gréboval, welcomed the members of the Advisory Committee to the Second Meeting and requested the representative of the host country, Mr. A. Kiyuku to address the Advisory Committee Meeting. On behalf of the Government of Burundi, the Director of Waters, Fisheries and Fish Culture welcomed the delegates from participating countries to Burundi for this meeting and wished the Advisory Committee success in its deliberations.
3. The Second Advisory Committee Meeting was attended by delegates from Burundi, Ethiopia, Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire (CRSN), Zambia, Zimbabwe, and representatives of CEPGL (Communauté Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs), PTA (Preferential Trade Area), SADCC (Southern African Development Coordination Conference), UNDP and FAO. The list of participants is given in Appendix 1.
4. Ms. Mebrat Alem of Ethiopia and Mr. Kwetuenda Menga of Zaire were elected Chairperson and Vice-Chairman, respectively.
ITEM 2: ADOPTION OF AGENDA
5. The Agenda was adopted as presented in Appendix 2.
ITEM 3: TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
6. The Committee agreed that the terms of reference as adopted during the first Advisory Committee meeting were still valid and relevant (Appendix 3).
ITEM 4: ACHIEVEMENTS IN 1990
7. The project Coordinator recalled the project development objective and the five immediate objectives. He then presented and evaluated the project's accomplishments in 1990 by each objective, activity and output.
Objective 1 - Preparatory Assistance
8. It was noted that the preparatory assistance had been concluded in 1988 and had been reported during the First Advisory Committee Meeting.
Objective 2 - Regional Collaboration
9. Delivery of outputs pertaining to this objective was considered satisfactory.
10. The meeting noted that strengthened regional collaboration for the management of shared lakes was essential. However, the needs and the opportunities for expanded institutional arrangements vary from situation to situation. For example for some shared lakes the countries are at the stage of collaboration on research while for others they are about to implement joint management. The delegate from Tanzania queried whether there is a need for strengthening such arrangements if there is only limited exploitation of shared stocks, as for example on Lake Nyassa. He suggested therefore that in view of the scarce financial resources of the project, more attention should be given to facilitating regional collaboration in the context of Objectives 3 and 4. The meeting agreed, however, that work on institutional aspects of regional collaboration will be pursued where there is a specific need.
Objective 3 - Development Planning
11. The Coordinator expressed satisfaction with the delivery of all outputs with the exception of output 3.1 concerning the establishment of effective statistical and information systems and output 3.4 concerning the preparation of 3 management plans for the common stocks of shared water bodies.
12. Regarding output 3.1, this is due to the insufficiency of project staff to ensure technical support for the improvement of statistics and their use in stock assessment and monitoring.
13. Similarly, for output 3.4, it is was emphasized that for the in-depth analysis required for the completion of the three model management plans, more expertise than is available in the areas of biology and statistics is necessary.
14. The distribution of project publications and reports was queried. It was pointed out that all published documents are sent out to all countries, but some other reports such as project documents and sectoral reviews are restricted in their distribution to the country concerned. However, the project would endeavour to abstract sectoral reviews and send these out with the approval of the country concerned.
15. The importance of fish preservation was brought out. Although processing is outside the scope of the project, a UNV has been involved in promoting improved smoking technology and this activity will be pursued.
Objective 4 - Training
16. Outputs concerning this objective were generally considered satisfactory except for output 4.1, training at national level. The realization of the outputs is globally 25% if one considers the number of training courses to be organized during this phase of the project. A major effort would have to be undertaken in 1991–92 to achieve the planned outputs.
17. The Committee questioned how this could be achieved. It was pointed out that, in addition to the regional training programme by the increased number of national training courses in the future, the realization of project outputs for this objective will become satisfactory. Increased funding will be required, however, to organize these training activities as planned.
18. It was emphasized that, in actual fact, the delivery of training was much greater than appears from the progress report, if we consider that a number of counterparts were trained on the job in the context of the various activities of the project.
Objective 5 - Regional Data and Information Base
19. Work is well under way on the gathering of statistics and information for the preparation of a biannual report on the status of inland fisheries in the region, but the realization of output 5.1 has been delayed by about one year due to the lack of availability of the experts. One of the reports is to be produced before the end of 1991. As the statistical review should be produced every two years, the next report will be prepared in 1993.
20. With reference to the database, the elaboration of the computer programme is progressing well. The liaison officer in each country will receive shortly data sheets to be checked and completed. The database is expected to be ready by the end of the year and it will serve as the basis of the report.
21. The Advisory Committee stressed the importance of establishing an effective national data base as a condition for achieving a valid regional data base. Whenever possible, assistance should be given to countries to improve their own databases. The Secretariat pointed out that Burundi and Ethiopia have benefitted from the support of the project in this area.
Budget
22. The budget and expenditures for 1990 were presented. It was noted that a slight over-expenditure of approximately 15,000 dollars in 1990 was recovered from the 1992 budget.
Personnel
23. The Committee was informed that two new Associate Professional Officers joined the project, one socio-economist in July 1990 and one economist in January 1991.
Publications
24. The status of project documentation was reviewed and considered satisfactory. In all, the project has published 16 technical documents and 7 working papers.
25. Considering Item 4 in general, the Committee estimated that the project activities undertaken and the outputs obtained during the period under review were overall very satisfactory. It was deplored that some work was hampered, or postponed by political instability in some countries and it is hoped that the future work will not be affected by such events.
ITEM 5: PROGRAMME OF WORK 1991
26. The programme of work for 1991 was reviewed, amended and adopted (see Appendix 4).
27. There were a number of requests for additions and amendments to the Programme of Work for 1991. Output 2.1.2: a draft document for the proposed institutional framework for regional collaboration related to Lake Victoria fisheries should be formulated as requested by the CIFA sub-committee in 1989. Concerning output 2.3.1, the Committee agreed that the second technical consultation on Lakes Cohoha and Rweru will be included in the 1991 plan. Concern was expressed for the follow up to the current Lake Kivu project; technical backstopping for this purpose would be considered under output 3.3., in collaboration with the CEPGL Project. It was also pointed out that the instable chemical characteristics and potential environmental danger to the fauna and riparian population of Lake Kivu should be assessed. The Committee felt that while this aspect is very important, it could not be dealt with within the framework of the project.
28. The Committee queried whether the existing staff could carry out the activities for obtaining various outputs under immediate objective 3, especially those related to the series of field case studies and socio-economic investigations. It was stated that the project now benefits from the assistance of 2 economists (associate professional officers) and that the work will be undertaken in close collaboration with research staff of the existing institutions and projects.
29. Regarding 3.2 (preparation of training material related to planning), it was observed that the achievement of this output had already been adequate and the Committee felt that no more activities should be undertaken at present.
30. Concerning the request for marketing surveys as well as input supply assessments (particularly for Lake Tanganyika) which are the logical follow up of the socio-economic investigation of the harvesting sector, these will be undertaken in 1992. Projects will be formulated as required.
31. The Committee recommended that Lakes Cohoha and Rweru be selected as the third case study in connection with the elaboration of model fisheries management plan (output 3.4).
32. With regard to output 3.6 the Committee agreed that a socio-economic survey of the fisheries of Lake Chilwa will be added to the project plan and carried out in cooperation with a GTZ project in 1992. The Committee also agreed that a survey of fishing input supply be undertaken in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe as was done in 1990 for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
33. Concerning outputs 3.1 and 3.6, in general, it was observed that while the programme appears to be piecemeal, in fact, the project strategy is to focus on complementing existing activities implemented by other institutions and projects. For example, this is to ensure that by the end of 1991 a fairly complete assessment of fishing effort, catch, and socio-economics for both Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika will have been completed.
34. Note was taken of the request for a diagnosis and socio-economic impact study of Lake Mweru-wa-Ntipa in relation to drastic reduction in catches and changes in species composition. Due consideration will be given to this activity in 1992. Concerning 3.4, the Committee underlined the importance of national seminars in preparation of fisheries development and management plans. In this regard, it was informed that a national seminar on management of fisheries of the Kenya sector of Lake Victoria will take place from 22 to 24 July 1991. It will be attended by the IFIP and FAO staff and by the staff of various fisheries institutions of Kenya.
35. Concerning the output 3.5 a number of projects for Rift Valley lakes (Lake Turkana and Ethiopian Lakes) were formulated for funding by EEC. The funding did not materialize and these projects should now be reviewed and assessed by IFIP with the possibility of seeking funding for them in connection with output 2.3.1.
36. With regard to output 4.2.6, the management workshop for Lake Kariba is to be added for 1991. It could not be completed as scheduled last year because the basic data were not yet available. A Symposium on the management of Lake Victoria should also be added, which will be organized in the context of the next CIFA sub-committee meeting.
37. PTA and SADCC requested the assistance of the project in developping their own database and in the implementation of a special study on interregional fish trade.
38. The Committee welcomed the proposal for the output 4.3.3, Symposium on Limnothrissa and related pelagic species (such as Stolothrissa) in Lakes Kariba, Cahora Bassa, Tanganyika and Kivu.
39. It was concluded that IFIP endeavoured to accomodate various requests for technical assistance within a coherent and effective work programme on a fair share basis. It was stressed that more feedback from countries is needed, particulary for training requirements at national levels. The Advisory Committee pointed out that the workplan was fairly ambitious and that it might not be easily implemented with available resources. The Secretariat recognized that indeed it was the case and that it reflected the many requests received from participating countries. Moreover a slight over-programming was considered necessary in view of the cancellation of several project activities in the past due to external factors.
ITEM 6: MID-TERM EVALUATION
40. The joint UNDP/FAO/participating countries evaluation mission will take place during the first semester of 1991. The draft terms of reference of the mission had been distributed to all countries. The comments received will be included in the final version of the terms which will be finalized by UNDP. Several countries will be visited. The itinerary was proposed by IFIP, but the final decision depends on UNDP.
41. The Committee recommended that the Chairperson of the Second Advisory Committee Meeting, as a representative of all countries, should accompany the evaluation mission throughout its field work. The Advisory Committee nominated Dr. Orach-Meza to assume this responsibility should the Chairperson be unable to participate in the mission. Should he, too, be unable to participate, the secretariat will select the participant from among those who have attended both sessions of the Advisory Committee.
42. Burundi, as the project host country will be closely associated with the mission's work during the preparation of the mission report and final debriefing during which the conclusions and recommendations of the mission will be presented.
ITEM 7: IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS FOR 1991–1992
43. Recognizing that the budget for 1992 will not allow the project to operate at full capacity, the following budget modifications were recommended: (1) extension of UNV and the economist through December, 1992 (2) increase of the duty travel component to the 1991 level (3) increase of the training component in 1991 and 1992 by 20,000 and 30,000 dollars, respectively (4) increase of the operation and maintenance component to the 1991 level.
44. The Committee considered that the training budget will be rarely adequate with the recommended increase.
45. In proposing the above increase in the project budget, the Committee gave due consideration to the financial restrictions of the UNDP Regional Programme. Therefore, the recommended increase only reflects immediate minimum requirements.
Request for Co-financing
46. The Committee, during its first meeting, recommended that an additional 18 m/m be allocated to the project for the establishment of a post of bio-statistician. Taking into account that the donor was unable to satisfy this request the Advisory Committee considered co-financing as a solution to this urgent need.
47. The Secretariat designed a project proposal which was discussed, amended and endorsed by the Committee (Annex 5). The Secretariat was instructed to further elaborate it and to submit the project document to potential donors through appropriate channels.
ITEM 8: FUTURE OF THE PROJECT
48. The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the achievements of the project and is confident that the expected outputs of the project will to a large extent be realized during the present phase.
49. The Advisory Committee re-emphasized the economic and nutritional importance of the fisheries sector. Considering that planning, and particularly training needs, can not be fully realized in the present phase of the project, the Committee strongly recommends that a second phase of the project would be necessary to come closer to the development objective of the project.
50. The Committee believes that for the second phase of the project, more emphasis should be put on training, planning (but with a more focused approach), the continuation of support for socio-economic investigations including marketing, harmonization of fishery statistics and improved coordination of resource evaluation programmes. Considering these requirements the Advisory Committee feels that an extension of 4 years and a higher level of financing, especially for training activities, is needed.
ITEM 9: DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT MEETING
51. The Advisory Committee recommended that the next meeting be held in Kenya around March-April 1992. Kenya indicated that it would be most pleased to host the meeting.
ITEM 10: ANY OTHER MATTERS
52. The representative of CEPGL noted the need for coordination of research studies on shared lakes by on-going projects. It was noted that IFIP was best suited to initate the coordination of different project activities for the harmonization and collaboration as well as the exchange of information on common issues.
53. It was expressed that, IFIP could undertake this task, if extra funds could be provided by a donor for that purpose.
54. The Advisory Committee noted that this requirement for coordination and collaboration in research on common issues, techniques and fish species was applicable to the whole region.
55. The Advisory Committee recommended that as a first step toward achieving this objective CEPGL (IRAZ) could take the lead, with technical support of the IFIP project, in convening a donor's meeting to address the issues of coordination and technical collaboration among the projects involved in biological studies and stock assessment conducted in the major lakes of the Rift Valley.
56. The issue of periodically publishing a newsletter highlighting the progress made by the IFIP project was raised. The secretariat appreciated the need for such a newsletter, but noted that the time involved was significant. The Committee was informed that IFIP would soon publish the first newsletter and that subsequent ones would be issued annually.
57. The Committee referred to the important role of women in fisheries and asked if the IFIP project was in a position to promote this. The Secretariat informed the Committee that this activity was being addressed by the project.
58. The Committee mentioned the issue of the quality of the aquatic environment for fish and other organisms. The secretariat was aware of the importance and interest attached to the environment, but advised that this matter was outside the scope and mandate of the project.
ITEM 11: ADOPTION OF THE REPORT
59. The Advisory Committee adopted the report on 26 April 1991 and recommended that the report be transmitted at the forthcoming tripartite review meeting of the project planned for 29 April 1991.
