EAM NETWORK DOCUMENT

Environmental Aspects of Aquaculture
Management in the Mediterranean (EAM)

BY
Olivier Ledoux, Consultant
and
Mohieddine Belkhi, MEDRAP II Expert
in collaboration with Mrs. Neila Kaffel

M E D R A P  II

DRAFT NETWORK DOCUMENT

NETWORK ON
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF AQUACULTURE
MANAGEMENT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

FOREWORD

In the elaboration of this document, the following previous existing sources have been considered:

-   project Document RAB/83/016-RER/83/001, 1984, (MEDRAP Phase I).

-   Environmental Aspects of Aquaculture Development in the Mediterranean Region (MAP Technical Report Series No. 15); 1987.

-   Project Document RAP/89/005/A/01/12-RER/89/009/F/01/12, 1990. (MEDRAP Phase II).

-   Report of the Seminar on Aquaculture and Environment held in Bordeaux, France (March, 1992)

-   Report of the Seminar on Lagoon Management, Nantes and Sète, (June 1992),

-   Guidelines for the Promotion of Environmental Management of Coastal Aquaculture Development (FAO, Fisheries Technical Paper 328, Rome 1992).

-   “Third Phase of the Mediterranean Aquaculture Cooperation ”, ad hoc Committee report, (June 1992).

-   MEDRAP II proposed future organisational structure, activities and budget, report of a consultancy to MEDRAP II by Z.H. Shehadeh, July 1992.

-   Implementation of Ecological Criteria for the Rational Development and Protection of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean Region (PAP-10/1992/CP.1),

-   Report of the MEDRAP II Network Steering Committee Held in Tirana, (December 1992).

-   Notes of a PAP-MEDRAP I meeting on the Network concerning the Environmental Aspects of Aquaculture Management in the Mediterranean Region, (Split, March 1993).

A. BACKGROUND

1. Description of Aquaculture Sector

The Mediterranean region presents the following charateristics:

-   Total population of 364 million (1985, World Bank ).

-   Total consumption of fishery products : 5 140 000 t.

-   Net deficit in fishery products consumption is around 1200000 t, that is closed to 3.4 kg per capita per year.

-   Most part the natural fisheries are now at their upper limit of exploitation.

-   Most of the countries involved in a process of rapid development of aquaculture, backed by the demand of the regional marked for high quality sea-products, by the need to make the best use of certain coastal areas and at last by the need to create employments in these areas.

-   Regional aquaculture production estimated at a rounded yearly average of 700 000 t.

2. Mediterranean Aquaculture Cooperation

Common concerns and interests (needs, priorities, problems and opportunities ) between the Mediterranean countries have provided basic reasons to start a regional programme, under the name of MEDRAP, Mediterranean Regional Aquaculture Development Project, funded by UNDP, to help countries to become more self-supporting in their ability to train and manage human resources for aquaculture development support, in their capability for the supply of essential physical inputs for aquaculture and in their ability to supply good fish products to the consumer.

After two preparatory phases over the years 1979 (RER/78/004) and 1980–1983 (RER/78/004 and RAB/79/033) during which the activities and priorities of the Mediterranean countries have been reviewed and a programme of activities selected, the projects RAB/83 /016 and RER/83/001 have been decided, with FAO as the implementing agency.

Total contribution of UNDP for these projects, implemented over the years 1984–1986 has been over 1 400 000 USD. In addition Italy has contributed with important funds (3 000 000 USD) and permanent experts, as well as, to a lesser extent, France (around 250 000 USD in trust funds, experts and kind) and Spain (around 50 000 USD in kind). Tunisia as hosting country for the headquarters (Institut National Scientifique et Technique pour l'Oceanographie et les Peches) has contributed for an amount estimated at 50 000 TND. Other participating countries (Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Malta, Marocco, Portugal, Syria, Turkey, Yougoslavia) have also contributed in kind at their national level.

During this phases, now called MEDRAP I, the stategy has been:

-   to select pilot projects in each country : Nador lagoon in Marocco, EI Kaia (lake Mellah and Oudeira ) in Algeria, Monastir in Tunisia, Raswa in Egypt, Latakia in Syria, Beymelek lagoon in Turkey, Paphos in Cyprus, Kyparissi in Greece, Rovinj (Limsky Kanal) and Dubrovnik (Ston)in Yougoslavia, Mistra in Malta, Olean (Faro) in Portugal,

-   to organize training session in the participating countries ( 6 sessions on applied hydrobiology, aquaculture and environment, pathology, nutrition, 6 seessions on aquaculture technology, 1 session on socio-economic aspects, 3 study tours),

-   to provide technical assistance to the pilot projects from a small permanent team, to the training session with consultants from, the region and to the national administrations for the formulation of aquaculture development plans when relevant.

At the end of MEDRAP I, Italy was considering an increase in its involvment in a regional project, under the name of AQUAMED, which would have been a continuation, giving special emphasize to the information aspect.

This project never began, and UNDP thus decided to finance (RAB: 1 830 000 USD, RER:400 000 USD a second phases of MEDRAP for the “Promotion of aquaculture development through the establishment of a permanent mechanism for cooperation/ coordination in the Mediterranean region. The projects aims at the creation of network of regional aquaculture development institutions together with the strengthening of such institutions and aquaculture inputs supply industry”.

The strategy of MEDRAP II in supporting aquaculture development is the establishment of a permanent regional mechanism, conceived as a complement to national efforts and intended to mobilize regional capabilities and financial resources.

The MEDRAP II Project Document has initially foreseen the establishment of the following specific regional networks:

-   Research

-   Training

-   Extension

-   Production

During its first session, the Network Steering Committee decided to add the Information Network.

In Research field, some specific sub-networks have been created and others are planned to be constituted with focal points in selected countries:

Lagoon Management, in Morocco

Environmental aspects of Aquaculture, in Tunisia

Diversification of Production, in Cyprus

Pathology, in Malta

Nutrition, in Portugal

Freshwater Culture, in Egypt

A project core team at the MEDRAP Coordination Centre, together with national staff in four subregions (see paragraph 4.1), supported by FAO Headquarters, the Associated Countries and consultants, organize the activities, by using the facilities, personnel and equipment available. The main activities for the year 1993 are presented in Annex 1.

The various MEDRAP activities and the national priorities lead to the amendment of the initial options regarding the Networks. The following networks have been retained for a permanent regional cooperation.

-   Technology: to promote mainly the Research and Training activities related to Aquaculture technology,

-   Social, Economic and Legal Aspects of Aquaculture: to develop activities on the economic, marketing, financial, and planning aspects,

-   Environmental Aspects of Aquaculture Management: to support the programmes related to aquaculture and environment.

-   Information: to develop a system of collecting, processing, storing and reporting of data and information.

3. Institutional framework

3.1. MEDRAP II Structure

-   National Coordinators : in each participating country, there is an overall focal point of national coordination activities in aquaculture development. With a view to coordinate action within the country and between the Project and the participating countries, the Government have each appointed a fsNational Project Coordinator who is a member of the Network Steering Committee.

-   Network Steering Committee : overall responsability for decision-making concerning common action under the Project is vested in the Network Steering Committee, who meet periodically, at least once a year, and in which all concerned parties including members and associated countries participate in addition to UNDP and FAO.

-   Project Coordination Center : is located in Tunis and provides overall coordination, secretarial and information services to the member and associated countries. Because of the diversity of subjects and long range difficulties, the participating countries are grouped into four sub-region and sub-centres.

-   Subregional Centres : for each sub-regional centre, a sub-regional coordinator is designated to ensure the promotion, the organisation, the management and the follow-up of the Project's activities. The subregional Centres are located in :

• Algiers for the subregion of Algeria, Marocco Tunisia and Portugal;

• Tripoli for Lybia, Egypt and Malta;

• Nicosia for Cyprus, Lebanon and Syria;

• Dubrovnik for Croatia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Albania.

3.2. The Organisation of Mediterranean Aquaculture Networks

Taking in account the need of a mechanism to link permanent activities of the regional programme with those funded by donors through other channels and a focal point for external assistance to regional activities, and after review by an and hoc committee, it has been confirmed that the best way towards perennity, at the end of MEDRAP II, was to rely on the existing institutions, namely General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM), Mediterranean Action Plan/Priority Action Programme /Regional Activity Centre (MAP-PAP/RAC) and Centre International des Hautes Etudes Agronomiques pour la Mediterranee (CIHEAM), who undertake to support the Networks and coordinate their activities. (a detailed presentation of these organizations is given in annexe 2).

At the third session of the Steering Committee (Tirana, December 1992), the following recommendations concerning the future structure of the Mediterranean Cooperation in Aquaculture were adopted:

1. The GFCM will ensure the General Coordination of the future activities and will have to establish a Committee on Aquaculture for the purpose.

2. The PAP/RAC should carry out the aquaculture and Environment Network activities.

3. The CIHEAM will be in charge of the Technology Network and the Economics Network.

4. The Tunisian Government will host the SIPAM Network which will operate under GFCM Secretariat.

Thus the organisational framework, presented in figure 1, consists of:

-   General Coordinating Body: The GFCM, through its permanent overall coordinating mechanism, will allow all the parties involved in the cooperation, to be regularly in consultation. In addition and when relevant, the GFCM will be assigned the task of collecting the funds available from Donors to support the activities of the Networks.

-   Coordinating Unit: GFCM Secretariat.

-   Network Coordinating Mechanisms:

• CIHEAM: to coordinate the Networks on:

  -   Technology of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (TECAM) and,

  -   Social, Economic and Legal Aspects of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SELAM).

• MAP/PAP/RAC: to coordinate the Network on:

  -   Environmental Aspects of Aquaculture Management in the Mediterranean (EAM)

• TUNISIA: to host the Network on:

  -   System of Information for the Promotion of Aquaculture in the Mediterranean (SIPAM)

-   Sub-Committee on Aquaculture: to be established as an Advisory Committee under the GFCM. Members of the Sub-Committee on Aquaculture are all member countries representatives, along with FAO, the Network Coordinators and delegates from other Organisations/Institutions concerned. The Sub-Committee on Aquaculture will hold, at least, one regular session each year.

The networks are complementary. It is thus necessary that each network coordinating institution nominates a representative who will be the operational correspondent with GFCM and other networks.

B. NETWORK STRATEGY

The mutual cooperation between MEDRAP an MAP-PAP/RAC initiated over the period 1984–1987 have allowed the concretisation of several actions undertaken by both sides as regards the environmental aspects and their interactions on Aquaculture. The Mediterranean Action Plan of the United Nations Environment Programme have conducted several studies, and MEDRAP, in both phases, have carried out several activities in order to define effective procedures for proper management of aquaculture in appropriate sites.

An updated paper on such common concerns and actions have been elaborated in November 1992 by PAP/RAC upon request of MEDRAP, entitled “Implementation of Ecological Criteria for the rational development and protection of aquaculture in the Mediterranean Region - Proposal for a Mediterranean Cooperative Project within the future framework of MEDRAP activities”.

1. Needs for aquaculture development in an integrated Coastal Area Management

The potential of the Mediterranean environments for the development of aquaculture has only recently been fully recognised prompting almost all the countries of the region to start implementing or to plan substantial aquaculture activities.

Most of aquaculture activities are at present being carried out in ways that are to a considerable degree dependant on the resources of the aquaculture site itself, i.e. water quality, nutrients, feed, which means that the selected site must provide these resources in appropriate amounts and quality for the kind of culture to be reared. The maintenance of these initially suitable ecological conditions is a limit for development of aquaculture, as no undue stress should be caused on the environment and on other activities at or near the site. Although aquaculture in the Mediterranean is known for centuries, it has been recently recognised that intensive cultures themselves are capable to endanger environment and production.

For the future, limits for the sites practical for culture purposes should be extended to include not only lagoons, estuaries and sheltered coastal zones but the offshore zones too.

2. Network Operating Principles

It is understood that the basic operating principles of the EAM Network rely on the following:

-   The participation in the network is open to all interested institutions and persons from the Mediterranean.

-   The Network cooperative actions should equally involve the concerned institutions.

-   The Network should be managed with flexibility, with due consideration to the evolution of priorities and needs.

3. Institutional arrangements

1. The Regional Centre will be located at the PAP/RAC Headquarters, in Split, as a Regional Centre of EAM Network; and will be responsible for the coordination of EAM Network activities.

2. The Regional Centre may assign temporary or permanent specific activities to national institutions of participating countries to involve general parties to support the activities of the Network.

   In this respect and since two specific activities were identified in the Research field (see para 2 “Mediterranean Aquaculture Cooperation”):

   -   Lagoon Management in Morocco

   and,

   -   Environmental Aspects of Aquaculture in Tunisia

   the Regional Centre should involve the national institutions concerned in Morocco and in Tunisia in the implementation of these activities.

3. EAM Network will be developped in 3 phases:

   -   a first phase, of 6 months (1993), to establish the Network, to elaborate the Network's strategy, programme of prioritised activities and workplan.

   -   a second phase, of 12 months (1994), to consolidate an operational and durable network and to effectively address the most urgent environment-related needs and priorities for aquaculture development in the region, considering the limited available funds.

   -   a third phase, perennial, will lead to perform those activities which are necessary to maintain the network and facilitate common regional strategy, enabling optimum aquaculture development with regards to its environmental aspects.

4. MEDRAP II will coordinate in full responsibility the RAM network activities for 1993. In 1994, MEDRAP and PAP/RAC will jointly coordinate all network activities and will be responsible each for its respective part of the programme.

   EAM Network activities in 1995 will be coordinated in full responsibility by MAP-PAP/RAC, with the assistance of the MEDRAP II Project Coordination Centre. MAP-PAP/RAC, as Network Manager and the Management Board will ensure the continuation of the EAM Network activities after the termination of the MEDRAP II Project.

5. During the first and second phases, the concerned institutions from MEDRAP Member and Associated Countries may participate in the activities of the Network. Any other institutions(s) or person(s) from the Mediterranean Region interested to support the network and to benefit from its services and/or activities, should notify the Network Manager (MAP-PAP/RAC) of their willingness to be associated in the activities.

6. From each Mediterranean Country, one institution called the National Institution will be selected, by the Management Board, as the vis-a-vis of the Network.

   The national Institutions will be invited to give information on their possible contribution to the Network, to nominate contact persons and confirm their obligations.

7. The overall responsibility for decision-making concerning common action under the Network, is vested in the Management Board, taking into consideration MAP rules of procedure as well as administrative and financial rules and practices of UNEP.

8. The Management Board of EAM Network will be composed of:

   1. On a permanent basis, as full members:

      -   The Representative of each National Institution

      -   The Representative of the Coordinating Unit (GFCM Secretariat)

      -   The Network Manager (MAP-PAP/RAC)

   2. Casually, as observers when invited :

      -   The Representatives of the other Network Coordinators (CIHEAM and SIPAM),

      -   Representatives of any other institutions(s) or person(s)

   The Management Board will hold a meeting at least once every other year.

9. MAP-PAP/RAC will liaise and collaborate with the GFCM Secretariat and the GFCM Sub-Committee on Aquaculture to promote the EAM network's operation with the other aquaculture networks including TECAM, SELAM and SIPAM.

4. Expected results

The expected results from the implementation of the network, based on the contributions of the concerned national institutions, persons and regional and international organisations, are as follows:

1. A currently running, self-sufficient and permanent network for a sustainable development of aquaculture within the context of integrated coastal area management;

2. A realistic and consistent set-up of guidelines to facilitate the management of coastal zones for aquaculture development in relation with environmental considerations.

3. A conceptual and operational procedure of site evaluation and monitoring for the development and protection of aquaculture in the Mediterranean;

4. A data base related to aquaculture and environment in connection with SIPAM.

C. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Aquaculture requires specific environmental conditions since any intensive type of production is strongly dependant on water quality and on accurate prediction of the aquatorium's “carrying capacity”, Site selection, monitoring and protection of the ecosystem as well as the harmonisation of aquaculture with dominant economic activities in the area, such as the growing human settlements, heavy industries, tourism, agriculture and fisheries are imperative.

It is known, however, that an undesirable consequences of the general improvement of the socio-economic situation is an increased ecological degradation of the coastal areas.

In order to reduce the risks of mismanagement and the hazards of pollution and degradation of the environment, a scientifically supported planning and well balanced interventions are indispensable.

In this context, the objectives of the network are:

-   to contribute to the optimisation of aquaculture production, through the ecological characterisation of coastal zones, the set-up of site identification methodology, and management guidelines;

-   to contribute to the protection of natural environment, and aquaculture production through the monitoring, the establishement of standards recommendations and frame for national legislation;

-   to provide information on the environmental performances of aquaculture in order to define its appropriate position within the context of integrated coastal area management (ICAM).

Taking full account of the experience and programme orientation of FAO, MEDRAP II and PAP/RAC, as well as the results of the UNCED Conference held in Rio in 1992, the following may be considered as the main areas of priority need and interest for the aquaculture in the Mediterranean:

1. Interaction between the coastal environment and aquaculture.

2. Ecologically sound integrated management of aquaculture in coastal areas.

3. Selection and protection of sites suitable for aquaculture.

According to these priorities, a list of topics is presented hereafter as a general framework, for discussion and selection of possible activities to be implemented within the Network, including their relevant outputs; identifications of methodology, reviews, assesments, field works, technical reports, guidelines, recomendations, workshops, training, etc… They are not definitive and may be subject to further proposals.

These topics are currently available in publilshed documents mentioned in the Foreword, and in which experiences and concepts are related to the environmental management of coastal aquaculture in different regions. However, most of them need a detailed elaboration to be adapted to the Meditarranean requirements. The Network will be in charge of disseminating the existing information and will undertake further actions to elaborate and develop new experiences to be adapted to the Mediterranean.

In this respect, a proposal of activities is given in annex 3.

FIRST PRIORITY

INTERACTION BETWEEN THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT AND AQUACULTURE

In this area, the question of interaction defers following the type of production which can be grouped into four aquaculture systems:

1. Lagoonar production
2. Land-based aquaculture
3. Mollusc culture
4. Cage culture and similar off-shore systems

Nevertheless, for each of these aquaculture systems, interactions with the coastal environment include the following topics:

1. IMPACT OF AQUACULTURE ACTIVITIES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

   -   Carrying capacity and self-epuration of the environment in accordance with the culture systems

   -   Capacity of the ecosystem to sustain aquaculture development with minimal ecological change.

   -   Impact of the culture stock on the wildlife habitat

   -   Consequences of transfer and introduction of new species on the receiving ecosystem

   -   Environmental harmful aquaculture practices

   -   Consequences of the use of chemicals (antibiotics, pesticides, etc…) on natural production and survival of wild species

   -   Impact of farming outfalls and control of their physical, chemical and biological components

   -   Use of calibrated model for a specific culture system to predict the impact of aquaculture activity on the environment.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS ON THE EXISTING AND FUTURE AQUACULTURE

   -   Assesment and monitoring of potential ecological impacts of aquaculture on the environment

   -   Identification of key parameters of aquatic pollution affecting the main aquaculture practices

   -   Sanitary status of aquaculture production and stocks

   -   Effect of large increase in production on the equilibrium of the supporting ecosystem with emphasis on the pathological hazards

SECOND PRIORITY

ECOLOGICALLY SOUND INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF AQUACULTURE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

1. INTEGRATED AQUACULTURE IN COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT

   -   Existing and potential coastal resource use conflicts between aquaculture and other coastal resource uses

   -   Environmental impact as a positive factor towards the protection and the performance of the environment

   -   Adaptability of aquaculture activities towards other competitive activities

   -   Integrated aquaculture management plan for selected areas

   -   Socio-economic and ecological benefits of coastal aquaculture activities

2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

   -   Environmental legislation towards the protection of areas and resources required for coastal aquaculture development

   -   Environmental regulations for coastal aquaculture: waste discharge limits, waste treatments, etc…

   -   Introduction and transfers of new species

   -   Safety standards for seafood and quality control measures for aquaculture products

THIRD PRIORITY

SELECTION AND PROTECTION OF SITES SUITABLE FOR AQUACULTURE

-   Definition of appropriate site selection descriptors for aquaculture systems practised in the Mediterranean Region.

-   Inventory of sites suitable for different culture systems

-   Methodology for the selection of sites: use of modelisation as a tool

-   Calibration and validation of the model to specific culture systems to be used as a common survey tool at the regional scale

-   Protection of identified sites within the land-use planning process

D. INSTITUTIONS INPUTS

1. MAP-PAP/RAC, will provide, for the Regional Centre, the basic necessary operating facilities, administrative personnel and funds to support the activities of the Network.

2. The National Institutions associated to the Network activities will provide the necessary facilities, professional staff, information and funds for jointly agreed activities.

3. FAO should allocate funds to allow the proper functioning of the GFCM Aquaculture Sub-Committee, if and when established by the Council, and its participation in activities related to the work of the Management Board.

E. PROJECT REVIEWS, REPORTING AND EVALUATION

An evaluation report should be prepared, after completion of Phase II, by MEDRAP in correct with MAP-PAP/RAC and FAO. The report will be submitted to the EAM Management Board.

F. BUDGET

1. PROPOSED BUDGET BASIS

The proposed estimated budget for EAM Network has been calculated on the following basis:

-   Lump sums for items: Missions, Consultants, Reports and Publications.

-   Cost basis for the following activities:

I. For first phase (1993):

II. For second phase (1994)

III. For third phase (annual budget)

Due to the uncertaincy in predicting funding available for Phase III (after the closure of MEDRAP II) an indicative figure has been calculated of what it would coat to maintain the same number of activities as foreseen for the MEDRAP contribution of phase II.

Proposed Budget Table

N.B.: The contribution of MAP-PAP/RAC and the National Institutions for facilities, administrative support, and necessary Professional staff and equipment will be evaluated at a later stage.

2. SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR: