RECOMMENDATIONS

From the discussions that followed, the following recommendations were made :

1. For an integrated aquaculture development, careful consideration should be given to the following, prior to any action :

   1. Site selection and choice of species ;

   2. Natural resources and manpower potential ;

   3. Evaluation of projects in relation to production potential and marketing strategy ;

   4. Particular attention must be given to :

      1. environmental aspects for the perception of aquaculture as «nature friendly».

      2. the relationship between aquaculture and other activities such as agriculture in general, tourism and coastal development.

   5. As regards research in aquaculture careful consideration should be given to coordination amongst all poles of decision making for complementarity and continual feed-back.

   6. Exchange of information and experience with other relevant activities within the Mediterranean basin, such as the Blue Plan must be taken into full consideration. SIPAM is another possible source of information and experience.

2. Politics of investment in aquaculture, full and carefull consideration should be given to :

   1. the necessary mechanisms for directing public sector expenditure to best effect in encouraging commercial investment in aquaculture.

   2. these measures which aim to carefully encourage investment towards specific national goals, while ensuring basic viability, competitiveness, and environmental security.

   3. The balance between infrastructure and commercial support, to provide a balanced development and to ensure that regional competitiveness is evenly based.

   4. Additional assistance through MEDRAP, in the form of a review of investment support mechanisms, data management facilities, and in the preparation of guidelines for an effective aquaculture development.

3. Economical aspects of aquaculture development, it was recommended to :

   1. Conduct prior to any action, feasibility studies in order to evaluate the technical and socio-economic aspects of contemplated projects.

   2. Emphasise the need to understand market forces and characteristics at national and international levels. The communication and application of such information should be an integral part of aquaculture development programmes.

4. Legal and regulating aspects, the seminar recommends :

   1. The elaboration of a code of conduct for the management of aquaculture facilities, and a definition of standards for environmental safeguards.

   2. The elaboration of norms for the quality control of end products.

   3. The convening of an expert meeting, with the possible collaboration of FAO, UNEP, UNDP and others for the elaboration of items 1 and 2 above. In view of action already undertaken by FAO in this respect, the seminar asks MEDRAP II Coordinator to disseminate the said document in order to see whether it meets the requirements of the MEDRAP member countries.

   The seminar noted with satisfaction the offer of FAO to assist in legal considerations.