The session was opened by Mr. L. JEFTIC, Senior Marine Scientist, MAP, on behalf of the Executive Director of UNEP, and the Coordinator of MAP, who welcomed all participants and wished the meeting all success.
Mr. H. Akrout, MEDRAP II Project Coordinator took the floor
and welcome all present. He mentioned that this seminar was
held in accordance with the recommendations of the third
session of the Steering Committee (Tirana, December 1992),
with the objective to discuss the constitution of the
Environmental (EAM) Network.
Mr. U. Barg, FAO representative, and Mr. A. Pavasovic, MAP-PAP/RAC
Director also welcomed the meeting.
The seminar was attended by representatives from MEDRAP II member countries: Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Libya, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey and from the Associated Countries: France and Greece; as well as representatives of FAO. The list of participants appears in Annex 1.
The meeting elected:
| - Chair | : | Mr. H. Kouyoumjian, Lebanon |
| - Vice-chair | : | Mrs. S. Zlatanova, Bulgaria |
| - Rapporteurs | : | Mr. A. Demetropoulos, Cyprus Mr. A. Orbi, Morocco |
The proposed agenda was adopted, with minor changes and appears in Annex 2.
Mr. Akrout introduced the subject of the EAM Network constitution. He mentioned that after review of the Ad Hoc Committee held in Algiers in 1992, it was agreed to rely on existing network coordinating mechanisms namely GFCM, CIHEAM and MAP-PAP/RAC. At the Tirana Network Steering Committee Meeting, the constitution of the following networks was decided as a follow-up of MEDRAP II :
SIPAM Network: System of Information for the promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean,
TECAM Network: Technology of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean,
SELAM Network: Socio-Economic and Legal Aspects of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean,
EAM Network: Environmental Aspects of Aquaculture Management in the Mediterranean.
Regarding EAM Network, he mentioned that it was proposed that MAP-PAP/RAC undertakes to coordinate the Network activities. He proposed that a working group meeting be held in September in order to elaborate a specific programme of activities for 1994–95, according to the priorities to be defined during the present seminar, to be submitted to MEDRAP II Network Steering Committee to be held in Lebanon on November 1993 and to the Contracting Parties' Meeting of MAP to be held in October. He mentioned that the proposed document (EAM Draft Network Document) is to be discussed, and improved if required. All provisions relate to priorities, procedures of the concerned parties (MAP-PAP/RAC and GFCM) which are not in line with their rules, will be modified according to jointly agreed new proposals. The final version can only be adopted after being agreed upon by GFCM, MAP-PAP/RAC and MEDRAP II Steering Committee.
Meanwhile, MAP-PAP/RAC and MEDRAP II are invited to reformulate the document, to start its activities and ensure the adoption of the document final version.
Mr. I. Katavic, in his capacity as Former PAP Coordinator for Aquaculture, introduced the background of PAP's experience in environmental aspects of aquaculture. He stressed the importance of the PAP experiences achieved and the results obtained in the realisation of EAM Network Programme. (Doc PAP-10/1993/Info 1).
Mr. A. Pavasovic introduced the UNEP-MAP-PAP/RAC structures and rules of procedure and mentioned that the implementation of EAM Network by PAP/RAC would have to follow UNEP rules (the Discussion paper PAP-10/1993/SM. 1/Rev. 1). The Director of PAP/RAC mentioned that a contribution of 60,000 $ for 1994 and 60,000 $ for 1995 will be provided by MAP-UNEP provided that the Contracting Parties Meeting in October approves this in the MAP budget. He also said he assumed a similar level of contribution from MEDRAP II.
Mr. O. Ledoux presented the Organisation and the Operating Mechanisms of EAM Network Document. Mr. A. Demetropoulos raised several points as regards the institutional aspects of the proposed network, in particular the nomination of National Institutions and persons for the proposed Management Board.
Mr. O. Guelorget presented the interaction between Aquaculture and Environment based on a case study of shrimp culture in Indonesia. The interaction is synthesised in a scale showing the relation between the values concerning production and various environmental parameters.
Mr. A. Orbi presented a paper on the constitution of Lagoon Management sub-network.
The meeting formed an ad hoc group composed of the following members: Mr. Guelorget, Mr. Chouba, Mr. Katavic, Mr. Orbi, Mr. Barg, Mr. Belkhir and Mr. Ledoux, to elaborate proposals for activities for implementation in 1994–95.
The meeting discussed priority topics and agreed on the following topics:
Lagoon Management
Interaction between aquaculture and environment
Site evaluation and protection
Ecologically sound integrated management of mollusc culture.
Mr. I. Katavic presented the methodology for site selection with particular reference to activities that may be implemented in relation to the evaluation and protection of sites suitable for aquaculture. He gave an analysis of elements needed for the detailed workplan as formulated in MAP-PAP/RAC discussion paper (PAP-10/1993/SM. 1/Rev. 1).
The Project Coordinator introduced the budget which was then discussed (see recommendations). The meeting mentioned that the budget should rely on funds available within MEDRAP II and MAP-PAP/RAC for 1993–94, and it was felt that it was not realistic to expect, at this stage, any additional major contributions from National Institutions for 1994–95.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The meeting having discussed the document (Draft Network Document on EAM) took note of it as a basic background document. The document served as a basis for discussing and deciding prioritised needs which were accepted.
As regards budget, the meeting asked the project Coordinator to elaborate a detailed budget to reflect the four priority needs identified. This shall be done on the basic of the information supplied by the following identified experts (Mr. Orbi from Morocco, Mr. Chouba from Tunisia, Mr. Katavic from Croatia and Mr. O. Guelorget from France).
The meeting asks the Project Coordinator to present to the Steering Committee Members and MAP-PAP/RAC the MEDRAP budgetary allocations to EAM Network by mid-July. This was deemed necessary for a better formulation of realistic activity proposals.
As regards the proposed institutional framework, the meeting requested that the name of the “Management Board” be changed to “Coordination Group”. Furthermore, the meeting asked the Project Coordinator in collaboration with PAP/RAC Director to prepare the terms of reference and composition of the Coordination Group in order to facilitate the harmonious transfer of responsibilities during the transition phase.
As regards “National Institutions” and their designations, the meeting requests the project Coordinator to initiate any necessary action through the MEDRAP National Coordinators during the transition period.
The meeting requested the Project Coordinator to continue his cooperation with GFCM Secretariat in order to facilitate the smooth implementation of the project during the transition stage.
Based on questions raised on the proposed GFCM Sub-Committee on Aquaculture the meeting encouraged the Project Coordinator to improve communication with the GFCM Secretary in order to clarify organisational details and cooperative aspects relevant for the further coordination of the envisaged networks.
As regards post-MEDRAP II the meeting requests the Project Coordinator to inform the Steering Committee and the concerned parties of the pending changes in institutional and operational arrangements at the earliest.
The meeting agreed on the proposal of the Project Coordinator to hold the meeting of a Working Group composed of representatives of the following countries: France, Cyprus, Tunisia, Croatia, Morocco, Turkey, Lebanon; to be held in Biarritz, France during September 1993 in order to discuss and elaborate the programme of activities for presentation to MEDRAP Steering Committee Meeting in November and to PAP/RAC for consideration.
The meeting asks the Project Coordinator, in collaboration with MAP-PAP/RAC to investigate and find out the possibilities of the participation of all the MEDRAP Countries (Bulgaria and Portugal) to the Post-MEDRAP phase.
As regards the Draft Network Document on EAM, the meeting asks the Project Coordinator to revise and redraft it in line with the recommendations and discussions of this seminar.
